OUR
VIEWPOINTS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2014
EDITOR'SVOICE
Your Opinions
Emptiness benefits no one
I
t would make sense for Middletown Borough to acquire the 10 acres of vacant land along Susquehanna Street near the Susquehanna River that currently is owned by the authority that operates Harrisburg International Airport. The land once held a neighborhood of 25 houses, bought and razed by the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority as part of a noise abatement program funded by the Federal Aviation Administration. The homes’ owners voluntarily sold their property, located directly under a runway approach, to the authority because they were identified as potential participants in a noise buy-back program. The acres currently are tax-exempt, because the authority is a taxexempt entity. The authority maintains them – it cuts the grass and shovels the sidewalks. Under FAA rules, no homes or any other “noise sensitive’’ development can be built there – that would defeat the purpose of the buy-back program. And the area is in a flood plain, limiting commercial or industrial development. The authority could hold onto the land forever, but that makes no sense for anyone involved. It would seem to be of no use to the airport, and leaving it vacant does nothing for the surrounding community. A consultant hired by the authority recommends that the land be turned into a recreation site. There’s already a park and a ball field nearby. Suggestions for the site have been made in the past. One was to build an ice skating rink for the winter, which could be built rather cheaply by the borough and filled with water pumped from the river or nearby Swatara Creek. That would be a wonderful fit for family-oriented Middletown, if the cost of construction, maintenance and insurance wasn’t high. Even if that didn’t pan out, some type of park would be better for Middletown than a vacant lot. The issue, we imagine – apparently, talks between the authority and borough have gone on before – is cost. One would think that acquiring the property from the authority would not be steep. The borough would have to pay fair market value, determined by an appraisal – but the fair market value of vacant land in a flood plain, one where the development options are limited, shouldn’t be very high. A state grant could be obtained through Dauphin County to determine the best recreational use for the land, but the borough would have to put up $6,000 to $11,000 in matching funds, said Borough Manager Tim Konek. More specific ideas on what kinds of recreation facilities could be built there would give a better idea of potential maintenance costs the borough could face in the future. The quality of life in Middletown could be enhanced by the borough’s acquisition of the land, and for a relatively inexpensive price. We urge the borough to continue to consider the potential of acquiring the land, and not slam the door on the proposal.
READERS'VIEWS
Middletown has lost two outstanding employees Editor, I have known and worked with Ken Klinepeter and Greg Wilsbach for their entire careers with Middletown Borough. Both are outstanding men and highly thought of in their respective fields. I remember when Ken started at the wastewater plant, and when he was promoted to supervisor upon the resignation of Paul McCurdy. Ken is a very intelligent individual, which is the reason he has attained the status he so richly deserves. I’m glad at least Steelton recognizes what an asset they have in Ken. Greg – what can I say about Greg? He is a truly remarkable young man who started his employment with the borough as a dispatcher in our now-defunct communications center. He did this while furthering his education in the electrical field. Upon completion of his education, he transferred to the Electric Department, where he proved to be a valuable employee. When Tom Handley retired, Greg became the supervisor. I am sure Ephrata has the same high opinion of Greg as Steelton does of Ken. Both are exemplary employees and will be sorely missed, especially by those of us who realize their value and capabilities. Middletown’s loss is certainly Steelton’s and Ephrata’s gain. I wish both the best in their future endeavors. I know they will be successful. Sandy Nagle Middletown
Thank you for your Stars & Stripes donation Editor, On behalf of Londonderry Twp., thank you for your donation to the sixth-annual Londonderry Twp. Stars & Stripes Salute. Because of the generosity of individuals and business owners like you, we were able to provide this free community event and make a donation to the Lebanon V.A. Medical Center once again. Being able to honor the men and women who provide us the freedom we enjoy through this event is a privilege, and we thank you for providing us the opportunity to show them our appreciation. Beth Graham Londonderry Twp. (The writer is the office manager for Londonderry Twp.)
Press And Journal PUBLISHER Joseph G. Sukle, Jr. joesukle@pressandjournal.com EDITOR Jim Lewis jimlewis@pressandjournal.com STAFF WRITER Noelle Barrett noellebarrett@pressandjournal.com STAFF WRITER Dan Miller danmiller@pressandjournal.com PRESS AND JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS 20 South Union Street, Middletown, PA 17057 OFFICE: 717-944-4628 FAX: 717-944-2083 EMAIL: info@pressandjournal.com CORPORATE WEBSITE: pandjinc.com
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PAULHEISE
The same policies, the same economic disaster
A
mericans centered around Vietnam, civil rights, are not environmentalism and an attack on good traditional authority structures. Conideologues; we are servatives saw it as a time of unrest, too practical. Thus, of protest and riot, of sit-ins and civil we should not be rights. If American liberals were willing surprised that, to support counterculture change, the when the business community adopted American conservatives were willing to the conservative, free-market ideology, take them on. they brought on depression and financial In the 1970s, the dominant liberal policrisis. tics of the New Deal aroused an ever That it happened twice is the narrative more successful conservative challenge. for today. The existing structure of taxes and First, an operating definition of conserregulation came under attack. vatism. William F. Buckley is as worthy Laissez-faire classical economics a source as any: “It is the job of centralwith its respect for market outcomes is ized government to protect its citizens’ quintessentially conservative and was lives, liberty and property. All other quickly resurrected. Milton Friedman activities of government tend to diminish and the University of Chicago school freedom and hamper progress.” This is of classical economics, long relegated a comprehensive normative vision – an to the fringes, offered a conservative ideology. It is not perfect, but it does model that again defended low taxes, cover the essentials: limited government deregulation and small government. and free markets. American business, at the same time, Note that Buckley, and most conservaconfused civil unrest with socialism tives, assert as a not-in-doubt fact that and interpreted environmentalism, in government diminishes freedom and particular, as an attack on the American hampers progress. Most liberals would free enterprise system. They believed, assert that it is free following Friedmarkets, unless conman, that “martrolled by governkets always work ment, that diminWhen conservatives say they and that only ish freedom and work.” want small government, they markets hamper progress. The American really want big profits from corporate comThe history of freemarket conservatism privatizing things like Social munity began an is a compelling nar- Security, school vouchers and active program to rative. spread the free market-driven medical care. market ideology. In 1924, Warren Harding, our 29th They also want a union-free The corporate president, camfunded environment. activists paigned “to reduce a deep and broad the national debt, attack. They reduce taxes, protect created the long farming interests, list of conservaand cut back on tive think tanks immigration.” Surely conservatives have and the lobbying effort we know today. been consistent over the past 90 years. The Business Roundtable, the Heritage And he was elected. Foundation, the Manhattan Institute, the At the same time, the Federal Reserve Cato Institute all turn out policy and rewas expanding the money supply by 60 search papers to support the free market percent and “favored big banks.” Specusolutions to virtually everything. lation was rampant as Americans went Business fashioned the era of deregudeep into debt to “buy on margin,” that lation, privatization and market-driven is, with borrowed money. High taxes solutions that arrived in the late 1970s on the rich were supposed to be slowand continues to dominate public policy ing the economy and reducing revenues. even today. First, it was transportation, So taxes for the rich were reduced. The communications, and energy. Rememhighest marginal tax rate was reduced ber Enron? from 77 percent to 25 percent. The result When conservatives say they want was not what they expected. small government, they really want Unrestrained capitalism was blamed big profits from privatizing things like for the ensuing Great Depression. The Social Security, school vouchers and New Deal and all of the regulation of the market-driven medical care. They also 1930s were put in place to avoid exactly want a union-free environment, which those market excesses and that result President Ronald Reagan gave them from occurring again. Those New Deal when he fired the air traffic controllers. regulations effectively guided the Great The most important systemic gamble Moderation of the 1950s, 1960s and was, of course, the deregulation of 1970s. the financial sector, which permitted a The counterculture of the 1960s was 1920s type market bubble. Only now speculation is in credit default swaps and collateralized debt obligations. See above for the free market agenda repeating itself. Tax cuts for the rich, a bank friendly Federal Reserve, unregulated financial markets and the 1929 or 2008 inevitable crash. The same poliWe want to hear from you. cies; the same disaster. Some people refuse to learn. Send your letters to: letters@pressandjournal.com, or Paul A. Heise, of Mount Gretna, is 20 S. Union Street a professor emeritus of economics at Middletown, Pa. 17057 Lebanon Valley College, Annville, and Letters may be edited for accuracy, a former economist for the federal clarity, and length. government.
YOUR VIEWS ARE WELCOME
EDO'CONNOR
Ecuador is not perfect, but it's close
I
t was an interesting week here in Cuenca, Ecuador during the FIFA World Cup, the major topic of interest and conversation recently. The World Cup of futbol (soccer), is akin to the Super Bowl on steroids, plus. People were wearing the Ecuador team shirt, and even the dogs were dressed in team colors. I was at the largest mall in the city, Mall Del Rio, some months back when the Ecuador team was on TV. I estimate the mall food court is slightly smaller than a football field. There is a giant screen TV at the far end of the court. Every seat was taken, the area was packed with people standing watching Ecuador play. It was difficult to navigate our way through the crowd to go to the store where we wanted to shop. People were also standing in front of all electronic stores watching the game through the shop windows. It was reminiscent of when I was a boy and saw people gather on the sidewalk watching the “miracle” of color television through store windows. We opted to not go to the mall for the World Cup. I watched the Ecuador game with Olga, my wife, in the comfort of our apartment. I would have known when Ecuador scored even if not viewing the game – from the chorus of car horns and other sounds of jubilation. Yes, there are problems that we have encountered and things that we don’t like, things we find annoying. The biggest difficulty is definitely the language. The national language is Spanish. Period. It is not, “Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish, 3 for Polish, 4 for Swahili, 5 for Vietnamese, 6 for Icelandic,’’ et cetera, et cetera. Olga Traffic lights and and I have stop signs seem been studying to be merely a Spanish and want to learn suggestion in to converse Cuenca, in the native Ecuador. tongue. This will be Olga’s Pedestrians fifth language! beware! Learning Spanish is not easy, but we are guests in their country. When we first arrived I knew two words in Spanish – “cerveza” and “bano” (“beer” and “bathroom”). I know a few more now. Getting our permanent visas was a difficult process. It took us six months. The immigration office kept changing the rules and requirements. What was correct yesterday was not correct today. It was an extremely frustrating process that required much patience. I guess bureaucrats are the same everywhere – a pain just south of my back. I understand the visa procedure is easier now. Car alarms are the bane of tranquility. Most cars have them, and they are constantly being activated – but not by would-be thieves. How someone can sit in a car while listening to an ear-piercing sound as if it was elevator music beats me. And car horns! When the traffic light turns green the drivers lay on their horns. Turn signals are another story. They are seldom used. The wiring should be reversed. When the horn is used, it should activate the turn signals, and vice versa. Traffic lights and stop signs seem to be merely a suggestion. Pedestrians beware! There are many street dogs, and one must be alert when walking not to step in doggie exhaust. Graffiti! Now I understand why few Ecuadoreans have checking accounts – it’s difficult to sign a check with a spray can. Despite these annoyances, I’d much rather be here than there. I want to congratulate Pennsylvania on being No. 5 – Pennsylvania was cited as being the fifth most corrupt state in the U.S. by researchers from Indiana University and the City University of Hong Kong. And kudos to Harrisburg and York for making the “Big 33.” No, it wasn’t football. It was in a recent list of the 100 most dangerous cities in the U.S. for violent crime. Harrisburg was No. 25 and York was No 33. Keep up the good work ! Until next time from beautiful Cuenca, Eddy the Ex-pat Ed O'Connor, a former resident of Middletown and Lower Swatara Twp., is an expatriate living in Ecuador.