In most states taxpayers are allowed to vote on costly issues like this. In PA, you are allowed to vote for almost nothing. Everything is decided by a small select board or a few commissioners. They ignore the people, they do not represent the popular opinion. The small select few ram their projects through no matter what. Why have PA reidents put up with this for so long.?

Because it costs too much to move to another state?

More likely, it's because those in positions of power won't give the people an opportunity to have a voice in their own affairs. Elections are won based on promises not kept. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Several years ago, Pittsburgh held a vote on a proposed convention center; it lost. Somehow, it got built anyway...

We need to hope that the elected officials have realized that this project is doomed. Doomed due to poor planning of what is really needed and wanted by people that go to conventions, not downtown Lancaster. Lets just say we take the 129 million and not build the convetion center, but invest the money at 5% that would give us an income of 6.5 million without having to worry about expenses. do you think the convention center will make that kind of money after the three kings take their share? Please lets think this through.

It will be interesting to see if Smithgall, Cooley, Hixon or any of the other top proponents of this boondoggle show up to listen to Heywood Sanders. I doubt if they will, they didn't have the sense to acknowledge the validity his report. Hopefully their arrogance won't have a chance to kill this town. Hopefully the SDL does the right thing and rejects the TIF.

I really want to see Heywood Sanders, to listen to what he has to say. But I'm not able, due to prior commitments. However, I will be at Hand MS on the 10th to voice my opinion to the school board regarding their decision on the TIF. I hope everyone has this on their calendar to attend. The more people there to show support to the board the better. I hope to see you all there.

JRM