SUNDAY NEWS

"As Rendell talks of consolidations, there are lessons to be learned from the Columbia-Hempfield debacle in 1960s" is the sub-heading for a thoughtful, well researched and written Feb. 15 front page story.

WATCHDOG: We learn of the pragmatic accommodation arrived at between the Hempfield and Columbia communities to abort a merger initially sought by Columbia and sanctioned by the state. Also referenced but not expanded upon was the simultaneous more logical and ultimately successful merger of the Lancaster City and Lancaster Township schools.

Hopefully the Sunday News will soon relate the story behind the unlikely (given the times) and perhaps most important step for democracy ever taken in our region: The determination by the School District of Lancaster not to build a second high school on the land it owns and is now occupied by Lancaster Township Park across from the Manor Shopping Center. After considerable controversy, the enlightened decision was made for all students to attend the McCaskey campus, thus creating a "melting pot" and chipping away at social stratification and racial segregation.