[Kate]

The Government Study Commission is partnering with Hourglass Foundation to produce, publish and distribute an "educational" piece to all taxpayers of Lancaster County. The following are meeting minutes from September 15, 2008.

CONVERSATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF LANCASTER COUNTY

Awareness - A Public Service Of the Hourglass Foundation on the future of Lancaster:

Present: Pat Levin, Helen S. Adams, Kathy Wasong, Roberta Strickler, Esther M. Davies, Bill Ebel, Bob Patterson, Karl Ottolini, John Davies, Connie Callman, Monty Milner, Bess Mann, Tom Baldridge, Melissa Malfi, Art Mann, Jim Miller, Sam Mecum, Carol Phillips, Bill Saylor

The educational mailer created by the Government Study Commission to be sent to every household in Lancaster County informing them of the Home Rule Charter was vetoed by Commissioners Martin and Stuckey. The GSC was charged to provide the widest dissemination of their report, and a bulk mailer would fulfill their requirement. The mailer used comparative adjectives; however the Commissioners felt as though it was more advocating than educational.

There is a meeting scheduled to follow this Awareness meeting at 9:30a.m. where the GSC will attempt to agree on a more "vanilla" version of the mailer, eventually to be sent to the Commissioners for approval.

This post has been edited by Kate: 18 September 2008 - 09:08 PM

[Kate]

Art Mann pointed out that the Home Rule Charter was designed to be better than our current government, so any positive or comparative adjectives used in the mailer should be acceptable.

Overall, everyone agreed the most important thing was for the mailer to be sent, no matter how "watered-down" it had to be. The results of the 9:30a.m. meeting would tell what the next course of action would be based on whether or not the Commissioners approved the mailer.

Tom Baldridge revealed very interesting information about a poll the Chamber distributed. While the actual results of the poll will be available at a later date, Tom was able to reveal some of the raw data. 11% of people surveyed originally answered they were for Home Rule. Another 11% answered they were against Home Rule. The rest were undecided. After reading various viewpoints of Home Rule and factual information, 44% of people were for Home Rule. The majority of Republicans were also in favor of Home Rule by the end of the poll. Tom asked that none of the above information leave the Awareness group until it is released to the press by the Chamber.

This post has been edited by Kate: 18 September 2008 - 09:10 PM

[Kate]

Carol Phillips, agreeing that education is obviously an important aspect in the campaign to get Home Rule passed, mentioned that today she was going into the meeting with the Commissioners to "make them an offer they can't refuse." Carol also mentioned that Ron Harper would be there and potentially focused on the violation of the Sunshine Act by the Commissioners.

Helen S. Adams read her letter to the editor for the group. The letter mainly spoke to the violation of the Sunshine Act.

Many mentioned and all agreed that obstacles such as these pose to be perfect examples as to why Home Rule could help our county.

The mailers will potentially go out before the cut-off for voter registration on October 6, 2008.

Tom Baldridge spoke about the need for volunteers to work the polls, distribute yard signs, and other campaign-related tasks in order to help Home Rule pass. At least 400 volunteers will be needed to help work the polls and the Chamber is hoping to raise at least $100,000 for the campaign.

This post has been edited by Kate: 18 September 2008 - 09:11 PM

[Kate]

Art Mann suggested that the Hourglass produce an article summarizing the research done to prove that taxes will not necessarily be raised with a home rule charter. He also suggested that the Chamber follow-up on such an item from an advocacy standpoint.

Jim Miller presented the finished basic summary of the research done by the Hourglass.

Helen S. Adams reminded the group that only 4% of the country get their information from the newspaper.

Tom Baldridge informed everyone that Paul Quinn will be creating an editorial-type TV program on Home Rule. On the tax issue, Tom suggested that any promises made on behalf of the Charter should be able to be kept. For example, lower taxes should not be promised as Home Rule does not assure that.

Sam Mecum suggested that the best argument would be that Home Rule will have no effect on taxes one way or another.

Tom Baldridge said that anyone against Home Rule for any reason to do with taxes should be questioned, "Why?" The reasons behind a common belief that Home Rule will increase taxes have no concrete fact.

When asked at the meeting, almost everyone attending offered to either write an editorial about Home Rule, offer their name to be publicized as a supporter of Home Rule, or both.

[Kate]

Jim Miller recalled his experience at the Denver Fair and suggested that information about Home Rule be summed up in a sentence or two. Also, typically one word will trigger a person's interest, such as "taxes" or "debt".

Art Mann offered the suggestion of focusing on what Home Rule will prevent, such as 150 N. Queen St.

Sam Mecum also commented that having five commissioners rather than three is a good selling point.

Tom Baldridge informed everyone that the Chamber would be providing HOme Rule "Vote Yes" type cards at the polls on Election Day.

Karl Ottolini asked about the status of the Sunday news ad.

Tom Baldridge responded, assuring the group that this was still an idea he wanted to carry out. Ultimately, the ad would run in the paper the Sunday immediately preceding November 4. He also mentioned having the Awareness group coordinate the ad. He also suggested that mailers be sent specificially to Republican and Democratic households saying, "McCain is for change. Palin is for change. Home Rule is for change," or "Obama is for change. Biden is for change. Home Rule is for change," respectively.

Next Meeting: the group will meet again on Monday, October 13, 2008 7:30a.m. at the home of..................

[jmiller15]

The Government Study Commission is partnering with Hourglass Foundation to produce, publish and distribute an "educational" piece to all taxpayers of Lancaster County. The following are meeting minutes from September 15, 2008.

CONVERSATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF LANCASTER COUNTY

Awareness - A Public Service Of the Hourglass Foundation on the future of Lancaster:

Present: Pat Levin, Helen S. Adams, Kathy Wasong, Roberta Strickler, Esther M. Davies, Bill Ebel, Bob Patterson, Karl Ottolini, John Davies, Connie Callman, Monty Milner, Bess Mann, Tom Baldridge, Melissa Malfi, Art Mann, Jim Miller, Sam Mecum, Carol Phillips, Bill Saylor

The educational mailer created by the Government Study Commission to be sent to every household in Lancaster County informing them of the Home Rule Charter was vetoed by Commissioners Martin and Stuckey. The GSC was charged to provide the widest dissemination of their report, and a bulk mailer would fulfill their requirement. The mailer used comparative adjectives; however the Commissioners felt as though it was more advocating than educational.

There is a meeting scheduled to follow this Awareness meeting at 9:30a.m. where the GSC will attempt to agree on a more "vanilla" version of the mailer, eventually to be sent to the Commissioners for approval.

The correct statement Kate is that individual members of the GSC were invited to have conversations with the Hourglass Foundation, NOT the GSC. Note the attendance please, the GSC is not in attendance.
jmiller15

[Kate]

The correct statement Kate is that individual members of the GSC were invited to have conversations with the Hourglass Foundation, NOT the GSC. Note the attendance please, the GSC is not in attendance.
jmiller15

That was not the point of the post. The entire meeting minute record was entered minus the personal address for the next meeting of the Hourglass Foundation.

Individual members who were "invited" are still members of the GSC. This includes yourself, Sam Mecum and Carol Phillips.

[jmiller15]

That was not the point of the post. The entire meeting minute record was entered minus the personal address for the next meeting of the Hourglass Foundation.

Individual members who were "invited" are still members of the GSC. This includes yourself, Sam Mecum and Carol Phillips.

Again what is your point? I have never been invited to a strategy meeting of the RC and yet I know other GSC members have been. Are you suggesting debate contrary to the party position is inappropriate?

[Artie See]

From: Home Rule Charter
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 10:37 AM
To: Tom Baldrige
Cc: Sally Bair
Subject: Home Rule Charter Update

TO: SUPPORTERS OF A HOME RULE CHARTER

On this last day to register to vote, we have FOUR QUICK UPDATES on our
ongoing efforts to secure a "YES" vote for the Home Rule Charter. Any
and all help is GREATLY appreciated...

1. YARD SIGNS ARE IN! Please help us blanket Lancaster County with
"Vote Yes for Home Rule Charter" yard signs. Signs can be picked up
during normal business hours at The Chamber (100 South Queen Street;
M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). If you need to make other arrangements to
get your sign(s), please let us know via return email.

Please note, at this time we are not interested in placing them at
random intersections or just along the road; rather, we would like them
to be associated with a person/house as a way to establish a "If he/she
is for it; I guess I will be to" mind set.

2. POLL WORKERS NEEDED! We cannot underestimate the importance of
having "VOTE YES" poll workers at every voting location in Lancaster
County. Please respond to this email to let us know if you would be
willing to work a poll. Please note your hours of availability and
preferred poll location, if any. We do not want to wait until the last
minute to have all our poll workers in place so anything you can do to
help NOW is greatly appreciated.

In addition to working the polls, we could really use some help with the
work involved in coordinating poll workers between now and Election Day.
If you are willing to dedicate some volunteer time in that regard,
please let us know via return email.

3. FUND-RAISING NECESSARY! We continue to actively solicit funders in
support of the "VOTE YES" campaign. Won't you please consider being a
donor, if you have yet to do so already? Simply respond to this email
with a pledge or visit our website at www.citizensforhomerule.org for
further information.

4. SPREAD THE WORD! You are getting this email because you have
demonstrated past and/or current support for the cause and you happen to
be in our database. Let's not limit the message to so few. Please feel
free to distribute this email to your friends, neighbors and co-workers
as we continue our efforts to spread the word. [And, to those who are
getting this email as a result of it being forwarded by a friend, please
feel free to visit our website at www.citizensforhomerule.org to learn
more about the issue. Priority One throughout this campaign is to make
certain people are educated when they get to the polls on November 4!]

For those of you who have already responded with your help to any and
all of the above, our thanks. But the effort is far from over and
everyone's help will be required if we are to succeed on November 4. WE
GREATLY APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP!

Stay tuned for more updates....

Tom Baldrige, President
The Lancaster Chamber

[LancCity]

From: Home Rule Charter
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 10:37 AM
To: Tom Baldrige
Cc: Sally Bair
Subject: Home Rule Charter Update

TO: SUPPORTERS OF A HOME RULE CHARTER

On this last day to register to vote, we have FOUR QUICK UPDATES on our
ongoing efforts to secure a "YES" vote for the Home Rule Charter. Any
and all help is GREATLY appreciated...

1. YARD SIGNS ARE IN! Please help us blanket Lancaster County with
"Vote Yes for Home Rule Charter" yard signs. Signs can be picked up
during normal business hours at The Chamber (100 South Queen Street;
M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). If you need to make other arrangements to
get your sign(s), please let us know via return email.

Please note, at this time we are not interested in placing them at
random intersections or just along the road; rather, we would like them
to be associated with a person/house as a way to establish a "If he/she
is for it; I guess I will be to" mind set.

2. POLL WORKERS NEEDED! We cannot underestimate the importance of
having "VOTE YES" poll workers at every voting location in Lancaster
County. Please respond to this email to let us know if you would be
willing to work a poll. Please note your hours of availability and
preferred poll location, if any. We do not want to wait until the last
minute to have all our poll workers in place so anything you can do to
help NOW is greatly appreciated.

In addition to working the polls, we could really use some help with the
work involved in coordinating poll workers between now and Election Day.
If you are willing to dedicate some volunteer time in that regard,
please let us know via return email.

3. FUND-RAISING NECESSARY! We continue to actively solicit funders in
support of the "VOTE YES" campaign. Won't you please consider being a
donor, if you have yet to do so already? Simply respond to this email
with a pledge or visit our website at www.citizensforhomerule.org for
further information.

4. SPREAD THE WORD! You are getting this email because you have
demonstrated past and/or current support for the cause and you happen to
be in our database. Let's not limit the message to so few. Please feel
free to distribute this email to your friends, neighbors and co-workers
as we continue our efforts to spread the word. [And, to those who are
getting this email as a result of it being forwarded by a friend, please
feel free to visit our website at www.citizensforhomerule.org to learn
more about the issue. Priority One throughout this campaign is to make
certain people are educated when they get to the polls on November 4!]

For those of you who have already responded with your help to any and
all of the above, our thanks. But the effort is far from over and
everyone's help will be required if we are to succeed on November 4. WE
GREATLY APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP!

Stay tuned for more updates....

Tom Baldrige, President
The Lancaster Chamber

Artie&Kate-
I think you are probably both very knowledgable about Home Rule. To be very honest, I have not kept up with it. Can you each give me a quick pros and cons list so that I can decide how to vote? I am trying to avoid going to the website and reading all the propoganda. I figure you two are propbably my best sources for honest answers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Artie See]

Artie&Kate-
I think you are probably both very knowledgable about Home Rule. To be very honest, I have not kept up with it. Can you each give me a quick pros and cons list so that I can decide how to vote? I am trying to avoid going to the website and reading all the propoganda. I figure you two are propbably my best sources for honest answers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the compliment. I'll try to keep my personal biases out of my reply.

"Home Rule" is based on a provision of State law that allows local municipalities to move away from State-mandated government structures, and create their own. The current "Home Rule" proposal was made at the height of the controversy over the hotel and convention center project, when former County Commissioners were questioning its potential risk and burden to local taxpayers.

There are a number of provisions in the currently proposed "Home Rule" charter that are especially significant. The current three full-time County Commissioners, with a guarantee of one from a minority party, would be replaced with five County Commissioners elected at large, again with a guarantee of one from a minority party.

A large part of the duties of the current County Commissioners would be shifted to a "county administrator", who under this "Home Rule" proposal would be appointed by the five County Commissioners.

This proposal would also eliminate a number of elected "row offices".







IN MY OPINION: Since much of the responsibility of the County Commissioners would be moved to a single individual who would be appointed, not elected, "Home Rule" as currently proposed would only serve to further isolate Lancaster County government from voters like us.

[jmiller15]

A large part of the duties of the current County Commissioners would be shifted to a "county administrator", who under this "Home Rule" proposal would be appointed by the five County Commissioners.

This proposal would also eliminate a number of elected "row offices".

IN MY OPINION: Since much of the responsibility of the County Commissioners would be moved to a single individual who would be appointed, not elected, "Home Rule" as currently proposed would only serve to further isolate Lancaster County government from voters like us.


Nicely done Artie, concise and very accurate. i would only offer a bit of a difference of opinion.

The duties of the HR Administrator are very very similar to the Management Protocol that is the existing policy between the Commissioners and the Administrator. And the Administrator is also appointed today by the Commissioners.

The Charter only eliminates 1 row office, Jury Commissioner. All of the other offices remain elected. The Charter does combine 3 offices into one but ALL of the duties and responsibilities remain and remain elected.

I would remind that an increase in the number of Commissioners actually increases representation to the citizens and that with the requirement for more decisions made by ordinance and with citizen initiative and referendum that access to decisions made by our Commissioners has never before been in the hands of the citizens to the extent the Charter will require. There will be much more open and accountable Commissioner actions in the future.

jmiller15

[Artie See]

I would remind that an increase in the number of Commissioners actually increases representation to the citizens and that with the requirement for more decisions made by ordinance and with citizen initiative and referendum that access to decisions made by our Commissioners has never before been in the hands of the citizens to the extent the Charter will require. There will be much more open and accountable Commissioner actions in the future.

I would remind that much of the administrative functionality of the current County Commissioners would be in the hands of the appointed county administrator. Therefore, the administrative functions of Lancaster County government would be much further isolated from the people than they are currently. It doesn't matter how much more open and accountable Commissioner actions would be to the people when most of what the County Commissioners currently do would be in the hands of an individual who is effectively isolated from the voters.

Jim, I've tried to organize people; I know how difficult it can be. I didn't mention the "citizen initiative and referendum" because the bar is set so high that it would be very difficult to actually do. Besides, all it would take is a typical publicity campaign by the Lancaster Chamber or Lancaster Newspapers, and any "citizen initiative and referendum" would be easily shot down.

This post has been edited by Artie See: 10 October 2008 - 04:59 PM

[Kate]

[attachment=2561:voteNOhomerule.jpg]

[jmiller15]

[attachment=2561:voteNOhomerule.jpg]

Wow tell that to the Home Rule counties who have NOT seen there taxes increase over the last 27 years as much as we have here in Lancaster.
Where is the research for this simply false statement Kate? You nor anyone else at the RC does not have it . Why? It is false. Nice try but false statements is the sign of desperation. Argue the facts Kate not the falsehoods it is beneath you.
j