INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

"Bomb bandit caught" with a head shot of the accused was the Dec. 30th headline at www.LancasterOnLine.com .

WATCHDOG: What ever happened to the words "alleged" or "suspect"? Once so portrayed, how would an innocent person ever retrieve his or her reputation? How many would ever know about the exoneration?

Sloppy journalism harms people.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

On Dec. 27, Jeff Hawkes railed: "For those trying to make this place better than they found it, two events in particular came as blows.

"Bowing to the howls of their constituents, the [East Hempfield Township] supervisors precipitously scuttled a sorely needed land-use planning process...

"As for the second setback? It arrived in November when voters followed the wishes of Republican party leaders and crushed hopes for a home-rule charter crafted to achieve greater financial controls, transparency and accountability in county government."

WATCHDOG: NewsLanc, hardly the 'cats paw' of the local Republican Party, editorially opposed both the proposed change to the East Hempfield zoning code and the home-rule charter.

The advantages of the Village concept can be achieved under current planned residential development, and the proposal opened the door to rampant commercial development unrelated to the immediate neighborhood.

The home-rule proposal had several failings, the chief the abandoning of the current de facto arrangement for two commissioners from the majority (Republican) party and one from the minority (Democrats.) Also, home rule with its part time commissioners would create a county administrator that could evolve into a czar.

SUNDAY NEWS

Their Dec. 21st editorial "Gift exchange" states "Earlier this month, the commissioners learned that an unexpected reimbursement of farmland preservation funds from the state, for two farms the county had already paid to put on the preservation rolls, would add almost $1.08 million to the general fund. It would be fitting, and a good Christmas gift, if the commissioners could give a little of that to the library system."

WATCHDOG: At last week's Commissioners Meeting, our reporter posed the question of using the funds to replace budget cuts across the board. He was told the $1.08 million was for reimbursements of prior county outlays that enable the county to carry forward un-utilized current State grant money for farm conservation purposes into 2009.

It is good to both attend meetings and to seek clarifications! We cannot recall a representative of the Lancaster Newspapers asking a question at a public meeting. NewsLanc does so all the time, which results in more informative and provocative reporting.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

The article of Dec. 18 leads "County holds tax in check. Commissioners pass an 'austere' budget that will leave the property tax rate at 3.416 mills for 2009."

WATCHDOG: News articles are expected to give voice to all sides.

We can understand the incomplete New Era report because it was posted within half an hour of the end of the meeting to meet the deadline for the afternoon edition.

But the article by P. J. Reilly the morning afterwards in the Intell was devoid of public comments concerning the budget, which suggests that either it was a re-write of the New Era article (in which case, why the 'by-line'?), the reporter didn't attend or wasn't paying attention, or an editor deleted parts of the report.

We relative amateurs at NewsLanc should not be providing better reports than the pros. But it seems we usually are.

SUNDAY NEWS

The Dec. 14 editorial "Citizen victory" boldly proclaims: "Rejection of shopping center is testament to the will of neighbors who took on the developer. Drumore Township supervisors should follow their example."

WATCHDOG: We propose that the Sunday News follow its own example of urging support of neighbors. It should call for Franklin & Marshall College and Lancaster General Hospital to respond to neighborhood requests to commission an independent study of potential alternative rail yard sites.

Of course this would mean editorializing against the interests of two of their fellow Big Five, the exclusive club to which Lancaster Newspapers, Inc; Fulton Bank, and the High Group also belong.

SUNDAY NEWS

"Editor Marv Adams is on vacation. His column returns next Sunday."

WATCHDOG: Marv's absence isn't that much of a bother, but we sure miss daughter Abigail!

NEW ERA

The Dec. 13 editorial was headed "Armstrong served state and city well" and goes on to say: "The job's important, but the day you leave office you'll be forgotten pretty quickly, easily." The New Era went on to say "That won't be true of Armstrong. He served eight years in the House and 24 in the Senate and accomplished more than most of his peers."

WATCHDOG: If it weren't for the need to sell the naming right, we would propose "The Gibson Armstrong Convention Center." Then, over the years, Armstrong would be assured of the recognition that he merits.

Talk about poetic justice!

NEW ERA

Dec. 13: "If you know a good-news story in your neighborhood, call New Era Editor Ernest Schreiber and let him know. Dials 291-88750 weekdays."

WATCHDOG: Viewers may want to give Schreiber a call and tell him that the "good-news" is that the Watchdog is looking over his shoulder. For example, since exposed by NewsLanc in print and through radio spots, Schreiber is no longer publishing titillating reports and pornographic news stories. And the New Era seems more responsible concerning the reporting of sex crime accusations.

NEW ERA

"Auto companies: repair yourselves" is the heading to a Dec. 10th editorial. It goes on to opine: "The $15 billion is only a down payment of what General Motors, Chrysler and Ford will request to get through the financial crisis." It then sagely states: "Bankruptcy might benefit the bloated auto industry. It might require executive to do more than give up their salaries and private jets. It might force them to restructure the industry. It might force them to design cars that American really want."

WATCHDOG: Two observations:

(1) On Dec. 11, Bloomberg.com reports: "Senator Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican, is offering an alternative that would require bondholders to take 30 cents on the dollar and would set wages similar to foreign companies such as Volkswagen AG. It also would give the United Auto Workers union half of the $23 billion it's owed for health care as GM stock instead, and eliminate a program in which UAW workers are paid not to work if there's no work for them."

When the Watchdog went to bed late Thursday evening, the report was that a Corker sponsored compromise bill calling for mutual sacrifices ('haircuts') had been accepted by all of the stake holders, thus promising to put GM and Chrysler on a fairly sound financial footing and much better able to compete. Alas, upon awakening, the unions had rejected the arrangement. They insisted that their benefits not be reduced until 2011, probably reasoning that even under Chapter 11 or the Bankruptcy Law that reductions would not take place much earlier.

(2) In these troubled times which are a virtual 'perfect storm' for newspapers, we hope that the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. is heeding its own good advice.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL / NEW ERA

In "County recalls the end of Prohibition", the Intelligencer Journal / New Era recalls "It was Prohibition, a 13-year experiment in regulating the nation's morals, which ended 75 years ago Friday, leaving a legacy of violence and bloodshed."

WATCHDOG: It is an informative and fun look at Lancaster's past that merits reading.

Today a large portion of the population fails to make the connection between failed alcohol prohibition and our current prohibition against marijuana, a far less dangerous drug.

If, through the same approach of local option, we regulated and controlled marijuana as we do alcohol, we could raise much tax revenue, reduce incarceration rates by about half of a million, and free up ample funds for the prevention and treatment of drug dependency and addiction.

Incidentally, it was not illegal to consume alcoholic beverages during prohibition; only to sell them. So alcohol prohibition was not a means for massive incarceration of minorities.

Full disclosure: Our publisher is the co-founder of Common Sense for Drug Policy (www.csdp.org).

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

As reported in the Dec. 4th edition and on radio and TV, Jim Press, Vice Chair of Chrysler, proclaimed yesterday: "We're on the brink with the U.S. auto manufacturing industry...If we have a catastrophic failure of one of these car companies, in this tender environment for the economy, it's a huge blow. It could trigger a depression."

WATCHDOG: NewsLanc has as much confidence in these over paid and under competent auto executives as we do in their used car salesmen on their lots.

Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code is precisely what is needed to make them immediately credit worthy (all new debt has precedent over old debt) and bring about better management and true sacrifices from the various 'stakeholders'. The process would put the manufacturers on their way to recovery. Anything else is tax money down the drain.

Editor's note: Our publisher operated auto distributorships for several years. His revelations concerning General Motor's disastrous investment in Fiat were prominently (and we suspect gleefully) published by Auto News.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

In his "Bird's-Eye View" column headed "Gray not about to tip his hand on candidacy", Dave Pidgeon opines "No rival, either Democrat or Republican (and is there such a thing these days as a city Republican capable of running a successful campaign?), has yet to emerge. However, if there are rancorous public hearings related to the budget, that could change."

WATCHDOG: We think Pidgeon wrong on two accounts: (1) The big issue by November, 2009 may be the performance of the Convention Center Project. If it falls far short of sponsor expectations and the costs to the City become more apparent, the public will remember that Rick Gray promised to bring parties together and vet the issue if elected. Instead, within days he threw his full support behind the project. (2) R. B. Campbell for one.

SUNDAY NEWS

The Nov. 30th front page headlines two extensive articles: "A Hole in our Net" describing "the closing of one emergency shelter next year could leave more people on the streets" and "Where offenders plead...and cry" which, along with a second article, describes the workings of the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program.

WATCHDOG: Both articles, the former by Helen Colwell Adams the latter by Jon Rutter, are excellent journalism. Adams' article is New York Times / Washington Post quality. Hopefully the Sunday News will continue and expand its in depth coverage of local community problems.

With growing satisfaction, the WATCHDOG recognizes that all three Lancaster Newspapers have progressed from the dark days of their disgraceful coverage of the Convention Center and Conestoga View controversies. Hopefully ownership has learned to avoid financial conflicts of interests. The Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. would do well to follow Fulton Bank's lead by exiting Penn Square Partners.

Our community will neither prosper nor be honorable without conscientious media. WGAL - take note.

NEW ERA

A Nov. 24 article was headed "Will open-meetings law ever be revived?" and goes on to say "The state House adjourned for the year Wednesday without taking action on Senate Bill 467. The bill would have increased fines to pen meetings, violations from $100 to $1,000." It then quoted retiring Sen. Gibson Armstrong as saying "Hopefully, somebody else will pick up the banner and move forward."

WATCHDOG: The state legislature took no action probably because the members recognize restricting legislators from discussing matters outside of public session is impractical and unenforceable.

The commissioners Dick Shellenberger, Molly Henderson and Pete Shaub were fined because they agreed to a violation as a sop to then District Attorney Donald Totaro to get him to call off his year long witch hunt, which had come up totally empty.

The Grand Jury did not present evidence of violations by the commissioners. Rather it described the Sunshine Act as ineffectual.

True protection comes from a requiring a second reading and mandating sufficient delay before passage for public input.

SUNDAY NEWS-

The main "Letters to Editor" section was devoted to letters on Gay Marriage and The Election. The only two letters dealing with a matter of pressing local public policy and providing news worthy information were buried under F&M Plans towards the end of the Letters on the back page. (Worse yet, on our copy they were covered with blue ink which ran off from a "Flu Vaccines" ad making them almost unreadable.)


WATCHDOG: Last week, the Perspective section lead with an arguably duplicitous letter in support of F&M: (1)It implies Hour Glass backing, (2)it fails to disclose that the writer has been or is employed by a subsidiary of F&M, and (3) it presents a 'straw man' argument rather than dealing with real railroad yard relocation issues. Therefore, letters in response deserve prominent treatment.

Furthermore, when Marv Adams acknowledged to NewsLanc that he had failed to remember and mention the writers connection with F&M, he should have made use of his weekly column to so advise Sunday News readers.

NEW ERA

Its editorial "A better option for auto industry" of Nov. 18 opines: "There is an alternative for the automakers, but it's not found in the halls of congress: reorganization under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code."

WATCHDOG: We couldn't agree more!

We are sickened by lobbyists and legislators touting for the automakers by exclaiming that bankruptcy would bring an end to the US auto industry. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The manufacturers would continue operations as though nothing happened, their credit now restored since new obligations would have precedence over old debts. And under court supervision, fair significant debt reduction would be worked out through stockholders, creditors, executives and pension funds sharing the pain.

Also auto makers' plans for re-organization would call for new, more competent management.

As for spare parts, so long as there is a demand, others will supply them, as they do already.

(Added on Nov. 19) For an excellent analysis of the benefits for the auto industry of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, visit the New York Times editorial here .

NEW ERA

On Nov. 17, the first of a series appeared entitled "Investigative series: A pattern of prison abuse?" concerning a history of incidents of alleged prisoner abuse at the County Prison.

WATCHDOG: NewsLanc broke the story the prior Thursday with "County Warden sued in Federal Court for inmate abuse" and was preparing its own investigation of the prison. The New Era series is off to a good start, so the Watchdog will simply monitor from the sidelines.

SUNDAY NEWS

WATCHDOG: We must admit: We read the Sunday News. We like the Sunday News. We even like it when we disagree!

It may be the best bucks we spend all week.

SUNDAY NEWS

In "Rail-yard move will benefit all" by Ronald T. Bailey, the author introduces himself "as a member of the board of directors of the Hourglass Foundation" and concludes "This project improves transportation and will be a catalyst for revitalization. Done properly, it will benefit all Lancastrians."

WATCHDOG: Is Bailey speaking on behalf of himself or for Hourglass Foundation? This is but the first of his obfuscations.

Aopparently unbeknown to Bailey, his conclusion is consistent with the position of TRRAAC: a new rail yard is desirable. Bailey's article is irrelevant to the real issue of dispute: Is the site proposed the best of three alternatives?

So we can't tell for whom Bailey is speaking. Moreover, he apparently doesn't understand what the controversy is all about.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

The Nov. 10 editorial "Precautionary steps" discusses how Gov. Ed Rendell during his terms in office "increased funding for education, infrastructure and a host of other projects." It relates how the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities recently "offered a stark outlook on the economy." It then praises Rendell for cutting back state spending and concluded "Under ordinary circumstances, cutting funds - especially in education - would draw a strong rebuke. But in this instance, the governor has taken the proper precautionary steps to attempt to avoid tax hikes at a time when people can least afford them."


WATCHDOG: The Intell has things backwards!

Government cutting back spending to "balance the budget" is the very approach that stifled recovery in the 1930's and kept the nation in a Great Depression until World War II. As economist Sir John Maynard Keynes established, governments should build surpluses during prosperity and generate deficits during recessions. (Correctly, a large surplus was nurtured during the prosperous second term of the Clinton administration.)

Rendell should not have been overspending earlier during prosperity and should not cut back on worthy causes during the current financial crisis. Nothing is more wasteful and damaging to the economy than having large amounts of people and capital sitting idle.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

On Nov. 7, columnist Jeff Hawkes reports "Half of all Latino students at McCaskey High School drop out."

WATCHDOG: Considering that approximately 60% of the population at McCaskey is Latino, this is both terrifying and unacceptable. We are grateful to Hawkes for spotlighting this disgrace and also for praising the efforts of parent Frances Rodriguez.

A contributing factor to the drop out rate is the abject failure of the School District of Lancaster's athletic program which has been under the supervision of Assistant Superintendent Drew Miles. For example, once a football powerhouse, McCaskey lost every football game this year! Such results do not build student self esteem nor encourage them to remain in school

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

In "Library says no to quick fixes", the Intell reports: "The Board of Trustees of the Lancaster Public Library, by a 6-to -2 vote Tuesday, opted to forgo a quick renovation of the aging facility by the end of 2009, hoping to undertake a more comprehensive upgrade at some future date."

WATCHDOG: The report was a competent distillation of an hour long drama. The "quick renovation" of the library would have been, by and large, the same as planned had the 18,000 square foot addition been simultaneously constructed. The addition, which Karen Haley Field was proposing as a second stage to be funded later, would enable library functions to be spread out and additional features provided. Editor's note: Karen Haley Field is the wife of NewsLanc's publisher Robert Edwin Field.

CHARLESTON [WV] GAZETTE

10/19/08: "More W.Va. voters say machines are switching votes. WINFIELD, W.Va. -- Three Putnam County voters say electronic voting machines changed their votes from Democrats to Republicans when they cast early ballots last week. This is the second West Virginia county where voters have reported this problem. Last week, three voters in Jackson County told The Charleston Gazette their electronic vote for 'Barack Obama' kept flipping to 'John McCain'. http://truevote.us/nucleus/index.php?itemid=303

We can expect to read a slew of such reports on and after national election day.

Fortunately, the Lancaster County Commissioners took heed of the evidence and reversed their decision to purchase additional electronic voting machines that had no verifiable paper trails.

This isn't a Republican or a Democrat thing. This is about the integrity of the election system!

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

In endorsing John Morganelli for Attorney General, the Intell states: "Morganelli suggested earlier this year that [Attorney General Tom] Corbett 'botched' the '[Bonusgate] investigation ....and that the probe is 'politically tainted' as a result."

WATCHDOG: Since Corbett recently investigated and censured the illegal activities of four Intelligencer Journal reporters for unlawful access to a state confidential web site and Editor Ray Shaw had reportedly approved the improper activities of the reporters, NewsLanc suggests that the Intell endorsement is itself "tainted." Given the circumstance, the editors should have refrained from commenting on the race.

SUNDAY NEWS

According to "Sunday's Guest" Jacques Gibble in a column headed "Effort is key to achievement": "This belief, that only some students have the intelligence to achieve academically, has operated in our schools for a long time. It colors teacher (and parent) expectations for their charges and anticipates that only the 'smart' ones will do well." [On the contrary] "When teachers expect students to do well..., they do; if they expect students to do poorly,..students will meet that expectation as well."

WATCHDOG: No truer words were ever written about educating children, and even adults. Instead of devoting time and effort to helping youngsters over come difficulties, parents and teachers may just assume they aren't good at the subject.

Often just a little bit of extra help in school, from family, or by a tutor, will enable a student to catch up to and often to surpass classmates. As studies show, the academic achievement of children often reflect the expectations of parents and teachers.

LANCASTER POST

In its Oct. 17 cover story "Gib Bets On Death, the Post looks at the retiring Senator's many business ventures", the Post states: ["Senator Gib Armstrong's] Historic Hamilton Suites that he bought in 2002 is currently for sale. The 58 units are available for a cool $3.657 million dollars. In the documents showing potential investors the costs and income, it reveals that Armstrong, who get 40% of profits, his monthly cash flow for this business is $34,840per month!"

WATCHDOG: NewsLanc questioned the Post about their calculations and its news editor forwarded the sales listing for the Hamilton Suites. The listing indicates $418,080 in annual revenue, $83,225 in expenses, with a profit of $334,855 or $27,904 monthly. If Armstrong has a 40% interest as the Post reports, his monthly earnings would amount to $11,162, not the erroneously reported $34,840 per month.

LANCASTER POST

In its Oct. 10th lead article "Railroaded: Is trainyard relocation shutting out the public?", the Post asks "Shouldn't the [Public Involvement Plan] -- on how the property is to be cleaned up - be completed, so that the public can review the plans? Or, better, shouldn't the public's input be considered before the plan is created, and then presented to the public as a 'draft,' pending input from the public after review of the plan?"

It also asks "Just how 'public' was this [June 17] 'public meeting'" since F&M banned the Post personnel from "F&M soil", "subject to arrest."

WATCHDOG: There are also other important observations. The article may be the best yet by the Post. It can be viewed at www.LancasterPost.com.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

An Oct. 11 article about Warwick High School football team's 21 -19 victory over McCaskey opens "You guys," Bob Locker began, his voice a mix of pleasure and exasperation as he addressed the post-game huddle, "have a funny way."

WATCHDOG: The Intell also has a "funny way" of reporting sports because the entire article, 2/3rd of a column, is devoted to Warwick and says nothing about the McCaskey team. The game wasn't decided until the last minute and McCaskey players must have had something to do with that! See for yourself at http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/228606

NEW ERA

On October 9, four out of the ten lead New Era articles as listed at LancasterOnLine.com dealt with sex offenses.

WATCHDOG: Thirty days before local and national elections and during the worse financial crisis since the Great Depression, we would think that New Era editors would have their reporters covering more news worthy articles. As we have observed in the past, apparently Editor Ernie Schreiber thinks sex is what turns his readers on.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

An Oct. 8th article headed "Rail-yard foes focus on dump" sets forth the most important concerns expressed by many School Lane Hills residents. (See NewsLanc's report here)


WATCHDOG: We felt Michael Yoder's report was an unusually accurate, balanced and substantive job of reporting, especially given deadline constraints.

LANCASTERONLINE.COM

A blog posting entitled "From the annals-of-journalism dept." attempts to refute NewsLanc criticism of "McCaskey's Challenge" that appeared in the Sunday News of Sept. 21.

"So to summarize, the only real problems with this investigation are, 1. It wasn't an investigation; 2. It didn't come close to revealing anything worth knowing about McCaskey sports or any other subject in the universe; and, 3. I take that back; it may have (unintentionally) revealed a few things about newslanc.com."

WATCHDOG: The purpose of the NewsLanc article was to point out that McCaskey was not doomed to fail because its students are from inner city households, which was an unfortunate implication of an otherwise good report. To do so, we supplied the 2007 records of inner city schools in Reading, York, Harrisburg and Coatesville.

The snide critique actually makes our point.

The LancasterOnLine.com article can be read here.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

In Jeff Hawkes' column of Oct 3 entitled "Juvenile lifers: Redemption and release?" he poses the question of whether a thirteen year old who committed a senseless murder should be kept in prison for the rest of his without the possibility of parole. He presents evidence how the brain continues to develop during teenage years and adds to a person's self control.

WATCHDOG: Hawkes is at his best when he serves as the conscience of society. He brings to our attention issues that require our attention and provides information that causes us to reflect and possibly to take corrective action. The article is available at http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/228205

Intelligencer Journal

A viewer brought to our attention a Jeff Hawkes column in which he stated: "If we could put aside labels and see all of us as Americans, some with Latin-American roots, we'd be more likely to take ownership of the challenges presented in a new report titled 'Latinos in Lancaster County: Voices, Perspectives, Myths and Realities.'"


WATCHDOG: Hawkes' column can be read at http://www.alegreresearch.com/pdf/Editorial.pdf . The report can be found and downloaded at www.lancastercountywib.com . Check the upper, left hand column.

NEW ERA

It's editorial of Sept. 19 opens with "Kudos to the Lancaster General Hospital for boosting its payment in lieu of taxes by $25,000 a month to the School District of Lancaster....This is money the nonprofit hospital is not required to give, but does so, anyway."

WATCHDOG: Anyone who still doubts a tacit alliance between the Lancaster Newspapers and Lancaster General Hospital as members of the big Five (F & M, Fulton and High are the other three) should read this fawning homage.

No matter that the "nonprofit hospital" is profiting by over $160 million a year from the region and that its total contributions ... in lieu of county, city and school real estate taxes (which the rest of us have to pay) ... amounts to only two and one-half per cent (2 1/2%) of its annual earnings!

SUNDAY NEWS

The extensive Sport Section article "McCaskey's challenge" strongly implies that the reason that McCaskey's sports team are not competitive is because the student body is 78% Hispanic and African Americans, who in large part suffer from academic and home problems that prevent them from making the teams or performing well. "It's not to be critical of urban districts or anybody. It's just the way it is." - Pete Horn.

WATCHDOG: NewsLanc intends to perform some research before responding at length to these contentions. But we pose two questions:

What are the racial backgrounds of players on football and basketball teams of top colleges and the pros? Do those Hispanic and African Americans players spring from predominantly White suburban school systems?

The Sunday News article failed to mention how the the recently replaced Athletic Director failed to prepare and submit the required detailed annual reports on the performance of each team and plans for the following year. And the assistant superintendant to whom he reported didn't even notice or apparently care!

Nor did it opine on quality of the coaching.

SUNDAY NEWS

The Sept. 21 editorial maintains that "..the [county] commissioners skated too close to the [Sunshine Act] and possibly over it, in the way they handled a decision not to pay for a mailing from the Lancaster County Government Study Commission."

WATCHDOG: As we have opined before, the Sunshine Act is vague beyond prosecution and, if rewritten with teeth, would probably grind government to a halt. But its worthy philosophical message is clear: Concealment of information to which the public is entitled should be prevented!

In their role of legislators, the commissioners authorized the $50,000 payment for an educational mailing. In their role as administrators, they discovered that the proposed letter was more an advocacy (propaganda?) piece, so they notified the government Study Commission that the mailing as written did not meet the requirements for reimbursement. As Chairman Dennis Stuckey observed at last Tuesday's Work Shop meeting, to have said nothing and then refused to pay the bill would risk leaving the printer and others unpaid.

Where was concealment? The Government Study Commission and the Lancaster Newspapers were promptly notified of the decision and conspicuous articles appeared in both newspapers the next day. Finally, the matter was open to the public for discussion at the following Tuesday and Wednesday commissioners' meetings.

Our current form of county government is similar to Parliamentary government in that the legislative branch also is in charge of administration. It effectively serves Great Britain and many other democracies. It's not perfect, but neither is our state and federal form of government.

LANCASTER POST

'Artie See' took a ride on the trolley bus and reports "Twice the trolley [bus] was forced to change lanes, and once it had to make a major detour; these would have been impossible with a streetcar."

WATCHDOG: 'See', a pen name, also concluded "It is obvious that there are not enough passengers to justify the construction of a streetcar system in Lancaster City." Visit Page 5, " A View from Downtown" at www.LancasterPost.com to read the article.

LANCASTER POST

The Sept.19th cover story asks "Is Dale High's Crossings project Dead in the Water?"

WATCHDOG: No way. But it may shrink!

NEW ERA

KUDOS for its editorial of Sept. 17 entitled "Holding off on a driver's license" that notes that New Jersey, the only state that issues licenses as late as 17, has a very significant reduction in teens killed in crashes, 18 per 100,000 vs. 26 per 100,000 in Connecticut.

Even if Pennsylvania state law remains at 16, this information enables parents to make a more informed decision about when their youngster starts driver training.

Some shouldn't start until 30!

LANCASTER NEW ERA

According to the Sept. 16 New Era: At the time of the arrest of former county coroner Dr. G. Gary Kirchner, former Lancaster County coroner, Attorney General Tom Corbett said the coroner "violated the public trust in order to help a small group of reporters gain an edge over competing media outlets."

The New Era states without further comment: "No charges were brought against the Intelligencer Journal reporters."

What is not mentioned is earlier reports that Ray Shaw, Intell editor, had been consulted by the reporters and was aware they were breaking the law.

The reporters were allowed a dubious plea bargain which protected all of them from prosecution. (Usually one person is offered a plea bargain so that the rest can be prosecuted.)

Why wasn't Shaw charged as a co-conspirator? Is a Lancaster Newspaper's Inc. editor too big a fish to be caught by an attorney general seeking to run for governor?

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

KUDOS for their insightful Sept. 18 editorial "Distorting lessons."

The article points out that the troubles that plagued Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac did not result from their lending policies, but rather from the fall in housing values due to the irresponsible sub-prime lending by others. "It was private financial institutions that developed the subprime mortgage market, and private firms created the complex mortgage derivatives that infected mainstream investors with the subprime virus. Only then did Freddie and Fannnie's weaknesses become fatal."

From time to time the Intell publishes some very scholarly editorials. Whether they are taken from a syndicated service, written by local experts, or developed by its own staff is a matter of our curiosity. But it doesn't really matter. The importance is their quality.

SUNDAY NEWS

In what has become his "Marv and Abbey" column, Editor Marv Adams shares with readers the reasons behind placements of columns and choices of photos.

WATCHDOG: Although we did not altogether follow Adam's explanations, we appreciate that he does not speak down to his readers. We think this is one of the reasons why the Sunday News continues to be so popular.

SUNDAY NEWS

SUNDAY NEWS


"Sunday's Guest" Bill Adams, former president of Armstrong, opens his column by asking "Was your newspaper a little heavy today? There's a message in all that advertising that comes with your paper: Retailers want to reach newspaper readers...They use what works for them."

WATCHDOG: To the contrary, both the daily and Sunday newspapers have become lighter and lighter. (Some days the Intelligence Journal and the New Era are little bigger than the Lancaster Post.) Advertisers have been switching en masse to the Internet. Otherwise, why would the Intell and the New Era have merged Saturday and holiday editions and more recently their sports departments?

Many anticipate the demise of the evening New Era within the next couple of years, thus following a national trend. Adams' column is an example of "whistling past the graveyard."

LANCASTER POST

The Sept. 5th issue (www.LancasterPost.com) leads with "Molly Henderson Wins round One against Lancaster Newspapers", features a second installment by Artie See on the origins of the Convention Center project, explores the issue of noise abatement versus free speech, and contains an exclusive interview with baseball great Rick Wise.

WATCHDOG: This was the Post's best issue by far, and perhaps testimony to the benefits of taking a week off for vacation and reflection. "Henderson scores key round one victory in suit against Lancaster Newspapers" prodded the reluctant New Era and Intelligencer Journal to finally report on the matter after sitting on their hands for ten days. 'Artie See,' a nom de plume, is certainly a knowledgeable and talented columnist. Chris Hart-Nibbrig writes and edits second to none.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

Sept. 5 headline: "What the 'frak'? Faux curse word seeping into language"

WATCHDOG: According to Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition, to curse is to "swear profanely." Profanity is "irreverence." "Frak" is a surrogate for a word that has little direct connection to invoking God's intervention.

There is a difference between a curse and something that is vulgar or obscene.

May the Intell never do anything worse!

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL / NEW ERA

On August 30, the Intell announced the consolidation of its and the New Era's sports department under sports editor Jeff Young.

WATCHDOG: The consolidation of the sport staff seems like another step towards the ultimate merger of morning and evening papers as a result of the shifting of advertisement dollars to the Internet experienced by newspapers, magazines and radio stations throughout the nation.

SUNDAY NEWS

On Aug.31, the paper ran a one-third of a page ad by Turkey Hill featuring both a pitch for four brands of cigarettes, and an offer of free candy with a soft drink. The ad shows boxes of Sundance, Marlboro, Camel and Newport brand cigarettes. The "Surgeon General Warning" was too small for most to read without a magnifying glass.

WATCHDOG: We are surprised that a family publication would carry cigarette advertisements, especially one obviously directed at young people. We are also critical of Turkey Hill for sponsoring such an ad.

Does Marv Adam want his daughter Abigail reading "Cigarettes Lowest Price Allowed by Law On all major brands" above "Sweet Deal, Free Reese's with 44 oz. fountain or slushey purchase" ? Isn't there an implied relationship about the enjoyableness of the products?

Running an ad for cigarettes, especially in the family oriented Sunday News, seems irresponsible on their part to us, no matter how desperate the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. is to forestall their plummeting advertising revenue.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

The Aug. 28 "Letters to the Editor" contains one headed "Who's the next keynoter?" and which criticized Ted Kennedy as follows: "This is the same great American who, about 40 years ago, drove off a bridge with a young female passenger in his car, got himself out and left her to drown. He failed to report the accident for eight hours - probably had to sober up."

WATCHDOG: We do not object to the Intell publishing the letter, even though over time subsequent reports have cast doubt about whether Kennedy was at fault as initially reported. What we do abhor is condemning a person for one horrible accident (perhaps he was indeed drunk) that took place four decades ago, thus ignoring all the accomplishments of a lifetime.

Perhaps the author has lived an exemplarily life, never having made a serious mistake. Or is there something in the Lancaster water that so often combines narrow mindedness with mean spirit?

SUNDAY NEWS

The Aug. 24 editorial "Do the math" concerning the cost of health care concludes "In the end, the real answer probably lies in comprehensive health insurance reform, possibly a universal single-payer system; without it, the economy will continue to be crippled by an insurance bureaucracy that has made a mockery of 'managed care.'"

WATCHDOG: NewsLanc columnist Phil Starr reached the same conclusion in "One Payer Solution to the Health Care Insurance Crisis" published on July 24th and available under Health and Parenting, the last of a series on the cost of health care.

LANCASTER POST

An editorial of August 15 entitled "Fair Trial, Free Press, and the Constitution" criticizes District Attorney Craig Stedman for jeapordizing Michael Roseboro's rights to a fair trial by making prejudicial statements concerning the case before the media, thus tainting the objectivity of any jury pool. It concludes "Mr. Stedman's evident and alarming affection for the camera and the sound bite bodes ill for those coming before his office seeking justice."

WATCHDOG: We wished we and the Lancaster Newspapers had made those observations.

We are delighted that the Post is finding its bearings and beginning to live up to its full potential. We will all benefit from its presence.

SUNDAY NEWS

An editorial of August 17 describes the many laudable things that a 2.6 mile, ten minute interval, street car loop will achieve for downtown Lancaster. They anticipate a quarter million riders annually.

WATCHDOG: We proposed such a loop many months ago, so we can hardly disagree. But we differ in two significant ways:

1) More of our current trolley buses could do the job without the huge initial costs and without clogging our streets, since trolley buses can pull over to pick up and discharge passengers.

2) We proposed that the trolley buses be free so that they would be heavily used. Right now they only average about eight passengers per hour (not enough to even pay the driver!), and there is no reason to believe that fare charging trolleys will do any better.

Vintage trolley cars is simply another dumb and avaricious proposal by the benighted vested interests that want to gobble up state and federal funds and then, when they run short, tap local governments. The public both pays for it at the outset and then forever and a day afterwards in the form of subsidies.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

Jeff Hawkes column headed "Opportunities disguised as a shelter crisis" informs us that , after fifteen years of service to "men down on their luck", Crispus Attucks is converting its shelter for 20 of the homeless to other important purposes. Appealing to our pragmatic side, Hawkes goes on to say "Failure to act may mean more people sleeping on benches. As the city prepares to welcome guests of the soon-to-open Marriott and convention center, the timing could not be worse."

WATCHDOG: Well said! We laud our celebrities, sports heroes, and other successful people, but we ignore that there are those who simply cannot survive on their own, be it for mental limitations, health or emotional problems.

Unless we are prepared to shoot them in the streets as some South American police do orphans (and which NewsLanc is not suggesting!), we had better make some provisions to shelter them.

So what is Mayor Rick Gray and others doing about this?

Perhaps Penn Square Partners, sponsor of the Marriott, will organize and fund a replacement shelter. Ironically, they have the most to lose!

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

Editorial of August 14, concerning John Edwards states: "The return of Elizabeth Edwards' cancer coupled with her husband's infidelity makes this a particularly sad story. For him to show her such disrespect is beyond comprehension."

WATCHDOG: Such moralizing makes us wretch. The Intell has no idea of what were the conjugal circumstances of her illness. And are they so lacking in virility as not to appreciate the extraordinary sexual drives innate in middle age males, especially when separated for long periods from a mate and suffering from loneliness and stress?

We don't condone extra marital relations; we oppose all sin. Frankly, the only sex life we care about is our own. What we seek in our leaders is competence and commitment to the public good.

Furthermore, we are mindful of the extra marital relations of presidents during our publisher's life time: FDR - Yes; Harry Truman - probably not; JFK - Oh my!; Lyndon Johnson - Yes; Richard Nixon -probably not; Gerald Ford - unknown; Jimmy Carter - he only "lusted after women"; Ronald Reagan - Yes (during his previous marriage); George H. W. Bush - unknown; Bill Clinton - Yes; George W. Bush - he might be less bellicose and we might be better off if he did.

May we have a show of hands among the press corps of how many men (and women) have had extra marital relationships?

LANCASTER POST

An editorial of August 8th in part states: "The record overflows with example after example of [Gibson] Armstrong, Lancaster Newspapers, at the command of money-man, power broker, S. Dale High, and a few others, lording over the county as if it was their own personal fief.

"Did any one vote for a convention center? How about the insipid trolley idea? Or, the F&M rail yard re-location? And High's coming-soon Crossings shopping mall?...

"When you have a monopoly press in pocket, you can say whatever you want and know the other guys at the other paper won't call you on it. Sorry fellas, no longer."

WATCHDOG: Well said.

SUNDAY NEWS / GIL SMART BLOG

In a blog entitled "The value of book lernin’", Gil Smart leads "Interesting mini-debate going on over at NewsLanc regarding our local libraries, in relation to this Era piece yesterday about how the number of people using the Duke Street library in particular has soared - up 15 percent in the first six months of the year."

WATCHDOG: Smart writes from past research and his own family's recent experiences about the value of libraries and how and possibly why they are under supported locally. The article can be read here.

NEW ERA

According to an August 11 article: "The Lancaster Public Library, 125 N. Duke St., has seen a 15 percent increase in patronage from January to June as compared with last year during the same months. It saw between 1,500 and 1,700 people walk through its doors on a typical July day, up from 1,000 per day last July."

WATCHDOG: We are glad the New Era pointed out the ever growing importance of libraries, and especially the immense service the downtown Lancaster Public Library provides to the public. The Duke Street library has as many patrons in a day as many large city libraries that are several times it size. And Lancaster libraries are without the large government subsidies typical elsewhere.

Guess what local item in the State budget did not get funded this year? If you said funds for renovation and expansion of the Duke Street library, you were right.

$170 million plus for a convention center but not a cent for a library that serves about 1500 people from throughout the county each day! Go figure.

(Full disclosure: NewsLanc's publisher has a family member associated with the Duke Street library.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

The Intell carried an extensive op-ed entitled " A wrongful prosecution" by attorney Ira Wagler suggesting prosecutorial excess on the part Attorney General Tom Corbett's office in regards to the prosecution and conviction of Levi Stoltzfoos.

WATCHDOG: Kudos to the Intell for publishing the column.

As we have seen nationally and on the local level, too often law enforcement officials lose sight of the object of the law and seek convictions, no matter what harm they are doing to the individual and the spirit of the law. The Stoltzfoos conviction and sentencing seems to be such a case.

SUNDAY NEWS

A Letter to the Editor objecting to the housing of sex offenders in Marietta states "As for you, a politician, why should the people take you at your word, jeopardizing their children for your fetish."

WATCHDOG: Given that the prime psychological meaning of "fetish" is "Any object or nongenital part of the body that causes a habitual erotic response or fixation" (Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 2001), NewsLanc would have excerpted that sentence as being an unsubstantiated and unwarranted accusation. NewsLanc would have permitted the writer's later comment "Defending this type of person is a fetish" because its meaning is clearer.

LANCASTER POST

The Post's August 8 front page shows an elderly lady holding up an eviction letter to the camera and the headline cries out "Landis Homes, Serving One Another, to 92 year-old resident: LEAVE!"

WATCHDOG: The article goes on to mention that Margaret Rombach is behind in payments by$67,903.31 as of May 31, and yet gave gifts amounting to $22,000to her daughter over the past two years. Furthermore, by making the gifts, Ms. Rombach forfieted her eligibility for a government subsidy that would have underwritten her monthly fees.

Seems to NewsLanc that someone is trying to improperly enrich themselves at the expense of Landis Homes. How is Landis Homes to provide for the charitable needs of residents if children of the elderly are consuming funds that are needed for the parent's upkeep?

If the Post were to investigate such practices, it would have a far better story.

SUNDAY NEWS

The central article on the front page of the August 3rd edition is headed "Tom Armstrong believes sex offenders have become the 'lepers of our society.' He believes men like the three he invited into his Marietta home can change. His words can't convince those protesting out front. Wednesday, he faces a zoning board. UNDER SEIGE." Below is a photo of a contemplative Armstrong.

WATCHDOG: Articles like this makes us proud of the Sunday News. Carefully and haltingly, it manages to maintain a large degree of independence and integrity.

We hope such praise does not get the editors in trouble.

LANCASTER POST

In its August 1st edition, the Post criticizes the Lancaster Newspapers for publishing game summaries provided to all media by Dave Collins of the Lancaster Barnstormers as "Special to the Intelligencer Journal."

WATCHDOG: We second the Post's award of its "Puff Piece of the Week" award to the Intell "for so shamelessly ripping off the talented Mr. Collins."

LANCASTER POST

In its August 1st edition, the Post editorial is headed "Lancaster Newspapers Steals from Itself." In reference to the reproduction of an Intelligencer Journal article in the New Era and vice versa, it states "It is called 'plagiarism,' but let us call it what it really is: stealing."

WATCHDOG: The most recent Webster Unabridged Dictionary defines plagiarism as "The unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work." Since both the Intell and the New Era have common ownership, the dual use of an article is clearly authorized. And unless a byline was given to a reporter for an article previously published and not written by the reporter, there is no misrepresentation.

What the Post charges is stealing, others would view as legitimate economizing.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

A July 30 editorial "The debate ends" reflects on the turning over or the 23-mile Enola Low -Grade rail line to seven municipalities. It concludes "As the municipalities move to the next stage in the process ...it would serve their interests to keep an open mind about a rail-trial. It would be a lasting way to preserve the heritage of what once was one of the most significant engineering projects in eastern railroad history."

WATCHDOG: We echo the sentiment. Even more important would be the trail's recreational enhancement for people living throughout the county.

SUNDAY NEWS

In his July 27 column, "Waging war on culture of debt", Gil Smart states "Our national savings rate is zero; and while it's rarely discussed, this is one reason our economy has been so resilient. The moment Americans stop spending money they don't have is the moment the economy careens into the ditch."

WATCHDOG: Not necessarily so. When consumers deposit savings in banks or invest in stocks and bonds, their savings may help fund capital investment. Dollars used to build plants and expand businesses do at least as much to stimulate the economy as does consumer consumption. For example, we could invest in alternate forms of energy and thus lessen our dependence on oil.

LANCASTER POST

The lead article on July 25 is "Shades of Gray: an Interview with Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray"

WATCHDOG: Talk about a "Puff Piece!" What a dedicated mayor and charming guy the mayor is. Sample quote: "Our goal is continuous improvement."

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

A column by Jeff Hawkes on July 25th is entitled "City's deficit spending must end."

WATCHDOG: Click here for a rib splitting response by Lanco Yokels.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

Headline of the week: "Inflation jumps as consumers pay more."

WATCHDOG: So that is what causes it!

SUNDAY NEWS

In reference to former State Representative Tom Armstrong housing former sex offenders in his house, a Sunday News "Quote Of The Week" was Columbia's mayor Leo Lutz stating: "We want to send a clear message. ... We don't want you in Columbia. Please go elsewhere."

WATCHDOG: When a mayor makes such a statement, it is indeed news. Even if the editors refrained from taking an editorial stance pro or con, at least they put the issue in front of the public to stimulate thought and reaction. Hopefully reaction they will get!

LANCASTER POST

In its July 18 edition in a feature entitled "Puff Piece", the Post poses the following question concerning the proposed trolley car system: "Does anyone remember a single public meeting on this radical and very stupid proposal?"

WATCHDOG: Here in Lancaster, it seems to be the practice for the authorities to only hold public meetings after all the decisions have been made and the project is beyond turning back, not before. But good question anyway. (Incidentally, the Post's recent edition is its best yet.)

NEW ERA

In a June 15 article entitled "Pa.'s top court won't hear center lawsuit", the New Era states: "Although design work for the project was being done during the litigation, [Tom] Smithgall said the legal challenges have cost both time and money.

"He believes the litigation added at least three years to the project. During that time, there has been a sharp increase in the cost of construction materials."

LETTER TO WATCHDOG: "How quickly they forget the 2003 redesign, which tripled the size and cost of the project, and discarded nearly four years of design work.

"How quickly they forget the internal arguments between Penn Square Partners and the LCCCA, which added nearly two years to the project.

"They need to blame SOMEONE, since they've never taken any of the blame for themselves."

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

The lead article on July 14, "Food for thought at SDL" is devoted to a report by consultants for Nutri-Tech Inc. who said "Students, faculty and staff have widespread complaints about mushy, overcooked, oily foods and a lack of variety on their schools' breakfast and lunch menus." It then goes on to say "The findings will help whoever is hired to replace former longtime food-service and transportation coordinator Gene Miller, who retired in January."

WATCHDOG: Contrary to professional journalistic practices, the Intell published no rebuttal or explanation from McCaskey food management, especially Gene Miller who implicitly seems to be held responsible for circumstances that have to do with insufficient funding for the food subsidy program. (See article under News & Commentary.)

SUNDAY NEWS

An article on July 13 "Parties agree they don't like charter" by Helen Colwell Adams was well researched, comprehensive, timely and informative.

WATCHDOG: Unfortunately it was partly buried on page A10 rather than receiving front page major article treatment, at least in the local section.

If Marv Adams does that often, he may have more trouble at home than just Abigail!

SUNDAY NEWS

The editorial on July 13 is headed "Hospital, bill thyself. With huge surpluses, and opulent quarters, it's plan that LGH and Hershey Medical can do better for the Plain and others who can't pay their bills."

WATCHDOG:
Although the willingness to criticize Lancaster General Hospital, a member of the Big Five, deserves commendation, the editorial misses the entire point by suggesting that LGH act more charitably towards the Amish. The uninsured pay half again as much for their services as the rest of us who are insured.

In response to NewsLanc's question, LGH reports that the average of the "charges" paid by insurance companies and Medicare amounts to about 50%. The Amish are being required to pay at least 75%. That suggests LGH's profit margin must by eight to ten tims greater for the uninsured than for the insured.

The Amish are being ripped off! And so are we when we pay our co-pay portions.




So who is giving charity to whom?

NEW ERA

In an editorial of July 10, the New Era states: "Some observers say hospitals should give Amish and Mennonites a substantial price break all their own...

"But Tom Beeman at LGH told the Wall Street Journal that Holmes's request was unrealistic and unfair and simply would shift the burden of payment to all other hospital users...

"Why should one group be singled out for special treatment?"

WATCHDOG: Agreed that one group should not be singled out for special treatment. So why should the Amish be singled out to pay 75% or more of the phony inflated "charges"* that only the non-insured and partially insured are required to pay while the insurance companies, MediCare and MediAid pay only 50% of "charges" by Lancaster General Hospital's own admission?

Speaking of insurance, this editorial is yet another example of the Big Five Mutual Protection Plan. (That's F & M, Fulton, High, Lancaster General, and, of course, Lancaster Newspapers who cover each others' back, no matter what.)

*Lancaster General is typical of hospitals in setting sky high prices for non-insured and the co-pay portion of those who are partially insured.

SUNDAY NEWS

Its July 6 front page headlines "Faith not paying bills: Amish and Old Order Mennonites, who don't believe in health insurance, are facing personal and financial catastrophes."

WATCHDOG:
The title is disingenuous. What it should say is "Lancaster General Hospital has been price gouging Amish."

The article itself reports fairly and touches, if ever so gently, on posturings on the part of LGH. But unlike NewsLanc's forthcoming report on its month long analysis of why LGH is earning such phenomenal profits, the Sunday News simply reports what it no longer can avoid. Yet it has failed to undertake an investigate into the sources of LGH's phenomenal profits.

It took the Lancaster Newspapers nine days to report upon and largely regurgitate an article that ran in the Wall Street Journal on June 26th, and then only after prodding by the WATCHODG and our letter writers.

NewsLanc was referring to the inequitable billings prior to the WSJ article and reported and expanded upon the WSJ article within a day.

NewsLanc is working with officials at LGH to obtain as accurate information as the hospital is prepared to share. Ultimately, NewsLanc will have to go with the best information available. If any aspect turns out not to be totally accurate, it will be because of a failure to disclose by the public non-profit corporation.

LANCASTER POST

The Post's July 4th edition features "Puff Piece...of the week; How does the Kool-Aid Taste, Gil Smart" which pokes fun at the Sunday News lead article of June 29th titled "Confidence building: Optimistic city merchants say Penn Square project is but one of the factors in an increasing robust downtown."

WATCHDOG: Now that Chris Hart-Nibbrig has unsheathed his rapier dipped in scorn, we professional and amateur journalists in town are going to be held to a new and higher standard. Be assured we all will grab new issues of the Post the first chance we get and turn to Page 15 with the fear (or perhaps the hope) of having been run through!

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

In its July 4 lead story "Sen. targets game officials; Takes action after son pleads guilty to violations", the Intell shows sadly belated courage by finally, in the waning months of Senator Gibson Armstrong's final term, publishing news that on its face is testimonial of the Senator's arrogance and disregard of the public good in pursuit of personal goals and vendatives.

WATCHDOG: Armstrong abused his powerful chairmanship of the Senate Appropriation Committee to bully through special legislation to make it possible to constuct the Convention Center Project largely at tax payer expense, thus providing potentially eight digit profits for his cronies, the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. and the High Group. Reciprocating, Lancaster Newspapers gave Armstrong the same special treatment of "see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil" they allow the Big Five (F & M, Fulton, High, Lancaster General Hospital and itself.)

Can any reader imagine not answering the reasonable questions of a law officer and lying to that officer about not having a fire arm in the vehicle? Can any of us conceive of simply driving away across a field and leaving the officer in our dust?

Does "daddy" object to such actions? No, he condones them! In Sen. Armstrong's case, he tries to ram through legislation that would gut the ability of the Game Commission to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth. It appears totally retributive. We urge viewers to visit the well written, objective Intell article at http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/224018 and judge for themselves.

NEW ERA

It's editorial on July 2nd is headed "Philadelphia: Stop harassing Scouts". It goes on to say "..the scouts' freedom to limit membership has come at a price....Philadelphia ordered the Boy Scouts to abandon its policy on homosexuality and atheism or say goodbye to its low rent by the end of May...Meanwhile, programs that serve thousands of boys in desperate need of activities to keep them off the streets of Philadelphia remain in limbo."

WATCHDOG: This is the type of unfortunate situation that can serve as a slippery slope leading to government funding discrimination. Would the New Era criticize Philadelphia for withdrawing its rent subsidy if the building was sub-let to the Nazi Party?

Law and practice is based on precedent, and making exception for the well intentioned can open the door wide for the ill disposed. The Watchdog suggests that the Boy Scouts either change the policy or raise some extra money for rent.

We love and support the Boy Scouts; but we also don't want government subsidizing discrimination.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

In a July 3rd editorial states: "One study found that reducing speeds from 75 mph to 65 mph resulted in a savings of 20 cents per gallon...Is 12 minutes worth the additional cost of 5 miles per gallon?"

WATCHDOG: Without taking sides, let's test the economics.

From the point of view of someone who earns $15 per hour, 8 minutes is worth $3. His or her employer computes the cost of employees by a multiple of 150% to cover benefits and company overhead so, at $22.50, 8 minutes is worth $4.50.

Ordinary professionals charge perhaps $75 for their time, so that 8 minutes is worth $15. Doctors and lawyers and other top specialist bill at say $175 per hour, so 8 minutes is worth $35 an hour.

When two or more adults travel together, the cost can double or triple

More efficient motors in smaller cars along with improved public transportation may be a better solution than slowing down the economy.

Incidentally, the figures presented do not pass the Watchdog's sniff test, at least as they apply to a typical new car, say a Chevy Impala. Since many cars now show the instantaneous measurement of gas consumption per hour, try speeding up from 65 to 75 on a level stretch of road to see if the amount of miles per gallon actually drops by ten miles. If it does, please drop us a note!

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

An article of July 2nd states "Local woman, 58, charged with not returning rental car" relates that Manheim Township police are seeking the whereabouts of Cynthia J. Barnett who rented a car in February and has not returned it.

WATCHDOG: Big mystery! Police and the reporter would have done well to check with the County Prison where a person by that name and age is being held.

LANCASTER POST

Kudos! Its June 27 front page article "No 'Helping Hand' from Highmark: Insurance giant denies money for parents' preferred procedure" describes how "Highmark would cover the surgery cost of $150-200,000" but would "only pay $4,907.18 of the $15,600 total billed" for prosthetics that give the same appearance and avoid complicated major surgery.

WATCHDOG: It is encouraging to see a Lancaster Post article that seems well researched and is consistent with the front page headline and graphics. Keep up the good work!

NEW ERA

Published on June 28th an editorial favoring paper ballots and a column entitled
"F&M's presentation on rail yard fails to win over skeptics."

WATCHDOG: New Era earned double kudos!

First, an Editorial entitled "Paper ballots on comeback trail" states "Following Florida's presidential election fiasco in 2000, many states abandoned punch cards - once used by nearly a third of the electorate - and mechanical level machines in favor of electronic touch-screen voting systems." It then explains how electronic voting machines without a paper trail of each vote actually cast often fail (or we would add, sometimes are rigged) and there is no possible way to check on what took place.

What the article is not clear about is that the voting machines which former commissioners Pete Shaub and Dick Shellenberger insisted on buying in disregard to Molly Henderson's objection have no verifiable paper trail. The sooner that the County gets rid of these second hand "bargains," the better!

Second, the New Era carried an article by columnist Carol Petersen that properly challenges for lack of candidness and fair play the presentation by F&M College last week to home owners in the vicinity of the proposed (and almost certain) relocation of the Norfolk & Southern freight yard.

Samples:

"The two most important issues on a long list of citizen concerns are the potential health risks associated with freight trains and their cargo and the loud impact noise inherent in coupling and uncoupling train cars. Imagine residents' surprise and disappointment when they learned from the engineering firm that those two critical items were 'not within the parameteres given to us by F&M.'"...


"'You just have to take our word for it' that there would be remediation should it be needed, [John Fry] added.' Trust is earned, and without solid answers to their long-standing questions resident are running a little short of trust in F&M."

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

In a June 24th lead article, the Intell reports County home prices rising. "'Stable' local market ranks well on national index."

WATCHDOG: According to AP in an article , "... a report from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight said U.S. home prices fell 4.6 percent in April from the same month last year, when the index peaked. That marked the biggest decline ever in the agency's monthly index which dates back to January 1991. The government index is calculated using mortgage loans of $417,000 or less. (Emphasis added.)

Earlier in the same article headed "US home prices tumble in April at record rate" it says "The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index of 20 cities fell by 15.3 percent in April versus a year ago, according to Tuesday's report. Prices nationwide are at levels not seen since August 2004."

Now anyone who looks around at all the "For Sale" signs and has talked with those hoping to sell their homes knows that prices have plummeted in the County over the past couple of years. So to what can we ascribe the differences between the Intell's "feel good" article and tangible reality?

Was this a sop for their real estate advertisers to encourage consumers to buy homes?

First of all they interchange "value" and "prices", and they are not the same thing. More importantly, as indicated above, the Fed's numbers are based on mortgages and then on only a portion of the market.

Watchdog is not saying the Intell has it wrong. But if anyone could understand the article and believes the conclusion, please write us!

SUNDAY NEWS

In a three inch article on June 22 headed "F&M Drops Charges", the paper states "Harper was cited with trespassing based on an order banning him from college property" and "Harper ... is still banned from college property."

WATCHDOG: Wrong on both accounts!

"Order" from whom? It was not a court order but simply a college-authored "Defiant Trespass" notice that, given the circumstances of its issuance, is unlikely to be worth the paper it is printed on.

"Banned from college property?" Hardly. Harper can come and go to events open to the public, use pathways normally traveled by the public, and patronize facilities such as restaurants and shops that the college operates or has leased to others.

See "F&M wrong re Defiant Trespass" posted June 17th.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

June 20. Sub headline: "Residents oppose F&M backed plan"

WATCHDOG: This "pup" has probably had a lot more experience than the Intell reporter with such meetings with many scars to show for it.

The 'opposition' was relatively muted and issues raised thoroughly and, as far as the preponderance of the audience was concerned, satisfactorily responded to. A few neighbors that live closer than the rest showed understandable irritation, but even a leader of The Rail Road Action and Advisory Committee (TRRAAC) expressed support for the project, albeit some discomfort.

Also Watchdog's count was at least twice the 200 reported by the Intell. There were about 200 at the earlier meeting and perhaps 160 at the later, and people came and went throughout the evening. Except for the Watchdog, most dined at home or at a restaurant.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

Editorial, June 19, 2008:

Commenting on a 32% rise in head industry deaths for motorcyclists riding without helmets, the Intell rhetorically asks: "How can saving a few lives compare with the wickedness of restricting liberty, America's most cherished value?" And responds: "To that argument we respectfully say: baloney."

WATCHDOG: Having spent many happy years on its motorcycle (BMW, not Harley!), the Watchdog cringes every time a non-helmeted cyclist comes in view. This is pure Russian Roulette. We agree with the Intell when it says "Helmet laws are an appropriate extension of [licensing] restrictions." As the editorial indicates, there are huge social and economic costs involved from injuries and deaths, so it isn't just a matter of personal freedom.

LANCASTER INDEPENDENT PRESS

On June 15, the almost four decade old newspaper that evolved into a web site asked "Did the Lancaster Newspapers pressure Turkey Hill?" to cease distributing the Lancaster Post.

WATCHDOG: This may be the case, although we have no evidence to believe so and are skeptical. But Post News Editor Ron Harper, Jr., through several cover stories that seemed to be egregious attacks on local figures and institutions that were long on vitriol and short on facts, gave some cause in itself.

Nevertheless, NewsLanc urges Turkey Hill Minit Marts to continue its distribution of the Post. The test of democracy is not how we protect the freedom of the press of those of whom we approve, but how we do so for those who offend us. Furthermore, Turkey Hill routinely carries national publication that are far less tasteful.

SUNDAY NEWS

Kudos for a very balanced and informative lead article "'Talk Back:' Where opinion is 24/7"

WATCHDOG: The article states "Talk-Back was launched 'as a means to add fresh, unique and user-provided content' to LancasterOnline.com'" according to Harold Miller, Lancaster Newspapers' (LNP) president and CEO.

Along with comments from participants and authorities, the article deals with the virtues and drawbacks of providing anonymity for the contributors. Both LNP and NewsLanc act as custodians of the actual identities, and censor material that they consider outright libelous or egregious misinformation. (Due to the complexity of monitoring its large volume, LNP will on occasion mechanically ban some ongoing rule violators.) Otherwise, contributors have their say with the chips falling where they may.

SUNDAY NEWS

In his June 15 column, Gil Smart, in reference to John McCain's self confessed inability to use a personal computer, asks "How can a candidate ill at-ease with the current era lead us safely into the future."

WATCHDOG: Fair question.

Furthermore, presidents today cannot safely venture from the Secret Service cocoon, and thus must rely on staff and a few visitors to serve as "gate keepers." Spending twenty minutes a day and an hour on Sunday viewing comments from a variety of diverse contacts privy to the president's private e-mail address can be a valuable substitute for what used to be getting out and "pressing the flesh."

SUNDAY NEWS

A political cartoon in the middle of the June 15 Column-Letters page showed a jet liner entitled "Gitmo Lawsuits" about to collide with the Statue of Liberty, entitled "Homeland Security."

WATCHDOG: Portraying the Statue of Liberty as representing "Homeland Security" seems contradictory. And likening Gitmo Lawsuits to a terrorist attack even more so.

The Supreme Court upheld the Constitution last week by ruling that all persons in areas controlled by the USA are entitled to "Habeas Corpus", the right to be heard by a judge.

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, commented before a gathering of Constitutional scholars that the right to go before a judge was so ingrained that it was disgraceful that the vote wasn't 9 - 0 instead of 5 - 4. And Senator Arlen Specter (R - PA), Vice - Chair, would likely agree.

NEW ERA

In a June 12th front page article titled "Fiscal health of hospitals: mixed", The New Era endeavors to explain (rationalize) Lancaster General Hospital's amazing $135.8 million profit, up 27.5 percent from 2006, as follows:

"Though the large size of its facilities alone would seem to guarantee big revenues and profits, LGH is exceptionally efficient inside those facilities, the council report shows.

"LGH had an operating profit margin of 18.12 percent, meaning that for every dollar of revenue generated by patient care, about 18 cents was profit. That's about four times the minimum margin that industry analysts say is needed for a healthy bottom line."

WATCHDOG:

Even the dullest Introductory Economics student, let alone a reporter and editor worth half their salt, would recognize that a major reason for such unusual profits might be non-competitive market conditions that permit higher prices and thus higher profits than would be normal.

In their usual way when it comes to covering the Big Five - Franklin & Marshall College, Fulton Bank, The High Group, Lancaster General Hospital and The Lancaster Newspapers - the article poses no challenging questions, cites no critics, and serves as a rooting section: Aren't we just great!

Fox43 WPMT

June 5: "Man Gets Stuck Naked Inside Port-a-potty, Police Say"

WATCHDOG:

It's June 10th. Certainly, within the past five days, Fox 43 could find something else to post on the news section of their site. There have been shootings, murders, armed robberies, serious and fatal traffic accidents, and a college president in the midst of accusations of using his private police force to mug a member of the media!

So there is much more to report than a naked man getting stuck in a portable potty.

SUNDAY NEWS

The June 8 front page banner headline reads "LGH's healthy surplus: $136 million. Up from $106 million; other side of coin is millions it gives in free medical care and its investments in community."

WATCHDOG: The article lavishes praise on Lancaster General Hospital, some of which may be well deserved. But the Sunday News ignored its journalistic responsibility to obtain offsetting comments from those who are critical of LGH practices.

In fact, the "other side of coin" is, as some believe, that LGH has created an oligopolistic (not quite a monopolistic) condition over the years by acquiring or influencing local medical practices, and by inducing these practices to refer patients to LGH and other affiliated physicians, thereby gaining a huge competitive advantage over other hospitals.

As a result, LGH is in a position to negotiate favorable contracts with medical insurance companies that have no where else to go that would be acceptable to their customers. In turn, the insurance providers raise rates to offset higher fees to applicants from the Lancaster area! So for a large part, LGH success is at the public's expense.

The article is an example of how consciously or unconsciously the big five - Fulton Bank, Franklin & Marshall, the High Group, Lancaster General Hospital, and Lancaster Newspapers - are supportive of one another and are able to further their mutual agendas which are not always in the interest of the public.

SUNDAY NEWS

Gil Smart's June 8th front page report starts out: "The missing box showed up Friday, delivered to the Clymer & Musser law offices downtown. Franklin & Marshall College security forces, it seems, had the red newspaper box since Monday, but held onto it for four days. Perhaps they weren't sure who owned it. Even though it had the Lancaster Post's newspaper logo on top."

WATCHDOG: Kudos to the Sunday News for demonstrating the journalistic courage to report accurately on a shameful happening by one of Lancaster's Big Five. (Fulton Bank, Franklin & Marshall, General Hospital, High Group, and Lancaster Newspapers.) But some of the credit must go to the Lancaster Post and NewsLanc.

Without the existence of an alternative press, there would be no exposure of John Fry's incipient paranoia and megalomania and the extreme danger to students and the public of the group of under-trained and undisciplined bullies comprising the F & M private police force.

LANCASTER POST

The headline on its cover for June 6 reads: "Like Father, Like Son" and shows a man allegedly spiriting away copies of the Post from a Turkey Hill. He is identified as the father of one of the students whose picture was on the cover the week earlier .

WATCHDOG:

1) We congratulate the Post for being able to publish on time despite the distractions caused by F & M president John Fry and the college's combination Keystone Cops and thugs;

2) We had previously criticized the Post for naming the students;

3) We do not fault John Fry for endeavoring to have the young men accepted into a program that would keep them out of prison and ultimately allow them to expunge the record through restitution and public service, since NewsLanc has published articles indicating how the program serves all first time similar offenders; and

4) We think the public will be more sympathetic to the father than to the author of the front page stories, Ron Harper, Jr.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

The Intell on June 5 reported "An F&M employee called campus security Tuesday afternoon, claiming she saw Harper walk up Fry's driveway and onto his front lawn, according to Antonucci."

WATCHDOG: Did the Intell reporter inquire whether the F & M employee was aware of the location of the public Right-Of-Way? Ron Harper, Jr. could well have been within the driveway, which connects with the street, and on the lawn in front of John Fry's residence, and yet been within the public road Right-Of-Way and therefore not trespassing.

Did the Intell reporter ask F & M Security Officers if they stopped to inquire of the F & M employee exactly where Harper was seen to determine if Harper had actually trespassed before going to the other side of Marietta Avenue to toss Harper to the ground and arrest him and Chris Hart Nibbrig?

Both the reporting and the 'policing' seem to be careless.

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

Intell June 5 headline: "F & M cops say man trespassed at home of President Fry"

WATCHDOG: The article concerning the inappropriate actions by F & M Security Officers in arresting and abusing media representatives is a masterpiece of slanting and innuendo seldom seen in the Lancaster press since the Convention Center controversy.

The article doesn't even once mention the Lancaster Post, thus not identifying with what periodical Chris Hart-Nibbrig and Ron Harper, Jr. are associated.

It was attributed to P. J. Reilly (who was not seen at the press conference) and the article was buried on B7 adjoining the Obituaries!

With academic end of year events swirling around F & M, is it possible that the Intell felt obliged to say something but didn't want to embarrass John Fry?

WGAL-TV

WGAL-TV: Silence re F & M Security Officers excesses

WATCHDOG: WGAL not "the one to count on"

What’s up, Channel 8?

1) You didn't bother attending the 2 p.m. Wednesday news conference held at Mulberry Art Studios where Ron Harper, Jr. and Christiaan A. Hart Nibbrig, co-publishers of Lancaster Post described their chilling arrest by the F&M Public Safety Officers. Two other TV stations were represented .

2) There was not a single word about this story on your 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. newscast.

3) By 7 a.m. this morning, the story was not posted on your web site.

When the First Amendment has been allegedly assaulted by local authority, this is a major story – and the WATCHDOG suggests it is more important than school yearbooks being printed with errors.

Are you indeed the "one to count on?"

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

Once again, this time in a June 2 editorial "Finding a home", the Intell states "...Lancaster County Commissioners...agreed to fund the position of a homeless advisor..."

WATCHDOG: What the Intell means is " the position of an advisor to the homeless." Homeless people should not be excluded from consideration, but we urge that the selection be made from a larger pool of applicants.

SUNDAY NEWS

SUNDAY NEWS of June 1: "If voters agree on Nov. 4, county government will become an entity shaped by the people. That's the rationale outlined by a majority of the Lancaster County Government Study Commission..."

WATCHDOG: Ed Rendell isn't King George. We are the people of the state as much as we are of the county.

Lancaster Post

LANCASTER POST, May 30, asks "One law for the rich and connected, another law for the rest of us?" The article goes on to reveal a burglary that took place when, in the middle of the night, celebrating F & M college students discovered a door left open at the Iron Hill Brewery and helped themselves to several bottles of liquor. As a side bar to the article, the Post reveals a letter from John Fry, President of F & M, "threatening legal action if Post News Editor, Ron Harper, Jr. stepped on F & M property."

WATCHDOG: Although in covering the story NewsLanc would have omitted the names of the students, the issue is legitimate as to whether the same relatively light punishment and opportunity to have their record expunged would have been offered to other young people under similar circumstances.

NewsLanc is not privy to what so offended Fry, but wonders if he overreacted. It is natural for him to want to protect students from potentially career altering consequences for a thoughtless college prank. But a free press also serves an important role in furthering democracy.

Perhaps even more culpable and subject to revocation of their liquor license is the Iron Hill Brewery. The Liquor Control Board would not take lightly a licensed outlet leaving a door open over night, especially one located under a college dormitory.

And also of interest, what was Fry thinking when he approved the location of a brewery restaurant on the ground floor of a college upper division housing unit?

NEW ERA

NEW ERA, May 24, published a letter stating "...we learned that the (Lancaster) school district had approved a lucrative contract with the new school superintendent that includes $800,000 in wages..."

WATCHDOG: We admire the Lancaster Newspapers' willingness to include letters representing a wide variety of opinions, but the New Era editor errs by not at least adding a foot note to explain that the $800,000 is over a five year period. That amounts to $160,000 annually.

The New Era owes its readers and the School District of Lancaster an apology and a clarification in Monday's "Letters to the Editor" section.

KUDOS

WATCHDOG: Kudos to the editors of The Lancaster Post for their May 23rd edition. It is an example of constructive, responsible journalism. May this set a precedent for future editions.

The Post can be read in its entirety at www.LancasterPost.com. Once one gets the hang of how the web site works, it is as easy to read all the pages as if the tabloid were sitting in one's lap.

The Post is also available for free at Turkey Hills and other retail outlets throughout the county.

Intelligencer Journal

The May 23rd editorial "Second Chances" asks "...where should society house former sex offenders who have served their time in jail?"

After carefully tip toeing down both sides of the issue of where former sex offenders should be housed, the Intell concludes: "The first order of business must be to protect our children. But there also is a need for a rational dialogue on this matter by residents, organizations and state and municipal officials. To do anything less makes those just released from prison victims of their past and heightens the odds of recidivism."

WATCHDOG: The Intell deserves credit for their responsible reflections on the complex and emotion fraught matter. And we agree that protecting our children does take priority and indeed is the first rule of nature.

So what are the most important things from which we must protect children?

Though not meaning to belittle the seriousness of involving children in premature sexual experiences, we believe far greater and lasting damages results from psychological abuse, assault, reckless driving, criminal neglect, and murder. We need to ask ourselves why we stress dangers that are neither fatal or, in most case, likely to have lasting results, over circumstances that are far more threatening? After objectivity gains control over emotions our emotions surrounding fear and sex, we will be ready to have that "rational dialogue."