So who is John Barley supporting? We didn't find his name on any petition but we did see Barley's son and nephew signed Barley-buddy Paul Thibault. 5thEstate.com will recall the attack letter that came from Thibault political action committee during Barley's last campaign (he eventually resigned from office)

More interesting and a sign of greater support are the people who volunteer to circulate the nominating petition. This involves going around with a piece of paper and asking people to sign it. This takes time and dedication! Two of John Barley's relatives gathered signatures for Lloyd Smucker. So who is John Barley's boy? Thibault or Smucker? We'll wait for the print news media to ask the question!

We had some fun making the Smuck Shuffle video because Lloyd Smucker wants to have it both ways and we are supposed to just believe his claims.

Next we caught 13th district Senate candidate Lloyd Smucker in a lie. This followed our request that Smucker release the information of who gave how much money to his campaign as required by law. Smucker says he raised $185,000 and we should conclude that: "I think this strong fundraising shows that the people of Lancaster County agree with my message that we need an outsider and proven businessman in Harrisburg." Since Smucker has refused to release the donor names and amount as required by law, 5thEstate.com decided to examine a similar claim he made when filing the nominating petitions.

"In just over a month and a half, since I made the decision to run for State Senate, we have attracted volunteers and supporters from a broad cross section of Lancaster and York Counties."

Or not!

Smucker didn't even circulate a petition in York County! Of all the four candidates in the 13th race, Smucker finished DEAD LAST in terms of his cross section of supporters! Smucker got signatures from only 18 of the 31 municipalities compared with 20 for Paul Thibault, 23 for Bill Neff and 27 for Steve McDonald.

Smucker's claim of board support? Not valid. What should we conclude about his similiar claim raising 185K?

Here are the number of municipalities each candidate got a valid signature. (there were many outside the district including Mt Joy, Columbia, East and West Hempfield etc...)

Park Rangers - Not Ready for Prime-Time?
5thEstate.com exclusive story!

February 13, 2008

Recently, Lancaster County Chief Parks Ranger, Lorne Verne, appeared before the county commissioners to make a pitch for more "rules" for the county parks. Why was this suddenly an issue before the fresh county commissioners – only five weeks into their jobs?

This new power grab by the park rangers is what prompted 5thEstate.com to examine the rangers, their training, their history and their handling of their current power. Here are some of the 'highlights' of the park rangers' history:

5thEstate.com's video is a fun look at the rangers (think Yogi Bear!) and has Chief Verne showing that he is clearly NOT ready for his 15 minutes of fame!

Their History

Their Training
So what training does it take to become a park ranger? According to the Parks Department's official website:

"Park Rangers are professionally trained in law enforcement and have full powers of arrest."

Or not. While the rangers have powers of arrest, the gun-carrying-blue-and-red-light car driving rangers only get Pennsylvania Lethal Weapons Training, otherwise known as Act 235. The uniformed police officer? In addition to the Lethal Weapons Training, they also receive Act 120 training. The park rangers? Nah – they just how to use the gun! Constitution? Criminal procedure? Nah. Park Police receive no such training!

Their Handling of Power – should they have more?

Last Wednesday, Chief Verne, in response to a proposed new rule banishing swimming in creeks, is quoted in the Lancaster New Era saying, " 'We're going to use discretion, believe me,' Verne said."

The next day, two of Lancaster County park rangers failed a test of "discretion" that involved a chase through the city – including a jaunt beside a busy elementary school! Only 5thEstate.com covered the exclusive story.

It took Jim Hackett, the executive director of the Parks Department, from Thursday until Monday, to find out why the chase happened, who was involved, where was the chase, and the other details.

According to Hackett, the chase began at 2:45 PM when two park rangers observed a white Buick swerving and driving at a "high rate of speed." They put their blue and red lights on while traveling on Rockford Road toward South Duke Street. When the car got to South Duke, the rangers saw the car blow through the stop sign and continue into the city. (see map – THANKS Google!)

The rangers? They are NOT autohorized to leave the park boundaries. Despite violating this "rule," the rangers (remember that this is 20% of the ranger force in the car!) headed north into the city, requesting the city police to back them up. What did the police say when told that the car had gone through a stop sign? They radioed the pursuing rangers and told them they don't do chases for minor violations!

The 2.3 mile chase ended when the one-year-experienced ranger pulled the plug when they reached East King and Broad Streets! Hackett said that the rangers never went over the speed limit. Hackett refused to say what would happen to the rule breaking rangers, citing the privacy of the rangers.

Should the Park Rangers have more powers? You be the judge!

(Editor's note: An editorial decision was made not print the names of the rangers because I feel this is an issue that relates more to the supervision and the lack of training. The rangers, who get paid around 30k are a product of their environment and are in trouble enough without flack from 5thEstate.com

Should the Park Rangers have more powers? You be the judge!

Open Letter To Lloyd Smucker
Candidate for 13th Senate District

February 12, 2008

Smucker for Senate
Lloyd Smucker
info@SmuckerForSenate.com

Dear Lloyd,

I recently wrote your office requesting the list of donors and the amounts of their contributions to your campaign. This seems reasonable since you released the amount of money you claimed to have raised, along with this published statement:

"I think this strong fundraising shows that the people of Lancaster County agree with my message that we need an outsider and proven businessman in Harrisburg"

The above implies that you raised all of this money in Lancaster County (even though the 13th district also includes parts of York County).

Campaign finance laws were created so that voters know:

My request for this public information was answered as follows (the complete email is below):

Thank you for your inquiry and interest in the Smucker for Senate campaign. We will be happy to provide you with the campaign financials requested on the next campaign filing date which is April 11th. Have a great day!

While your campaign's response follows the letter of the law, how does it follow the spirit? It appears you waited until after a certain date to collect money so you wouldn't have to disclose that key information at an earlier reporting period.

In Lancaster County, $185,000 is a lot of money for a political campaign. The public deserves to know who gave you all of that money, and what might they want in exchange? Are they large developers? The company from which you derive your income (Smucker Company) makes its money from developers, so this is a natural question.

It has long been established that the current and retiring Senator Armstrong is 'in the pocket' of Dale High -- Have you taken money from High or anyone else in his organization?

Telling voters they must wait until 11 days before the election to dig out this information themselves hardly comports with the intention of the campaign finance laws, I'm sure you will agree.

Claiming that you raised a certain amount of money, then telling us what that means,( "...the people of Lancaster County agree with my message,") without telling us who gave you that money and how much they gave individually, is disingenuous at best, and a cynical, ethically bankrupt manipulation of campaign finance laws at worst.

As Lancaster County's watchdog, 5thEstate.com has been vigilant in its role ensuring public officials are on the "up and up." As an 8th generation Lancaster Countian, I have a vested interest in making sure our public officials -- those seeking to represent me and my family -- are acting in our best interests.

Since you didn't respond satisfactorily to my personal and private appeals to immediately release this public information, I am compelled to post this open letter hoping that public pressure will change your position.

Voters across the state, particularly in Lancaster County, have shouted loud and clear that the House and Senate need reform. The people want the hundred million dollar "leadership accounts" opened to scrutiny, and we certainly do not want our leaders hiding behind technicalities!

I understand that you are new to the high stakes political game, which is why I am hopeful you will be forthcoming now with this public information.

But if you are not, I will assure you this is one watchdog who will keeping a very close eye on your campaign, and if you continue to stonewall legitimate inquiries like mine, and somehow get elected, I will not be expecting much reform from you in Harrisburg.

Ron Harper Jr

Publisher and editor 5thEstate.com

County loses law suit!
Settles for $125,000!

February 7, 2008

Editor's note: A special THANKS! to Arch Angel Investigations, LLC for their help! (click here to go to their website)

In Jill McVey's last known interview before she "retired" DaddyJustice.com's video justice got a little girl returned to her mother! Yesterday in Federal Court in Allentown, Lancaster County agreed to pay the mother $125,000!

While the mainstream media has refused to cover the abuse of families by Lancaster County Children & Youth, 5thEstate.com along with DaddyJustice.com have kept the commissioners and workers on alert to make certain they are doing things right! To watch the video and read the story on DaddyJustice.com - CLICK HERE!

Can They Take the Oath without lying?
Editor & Publisher responds to Farina

January 18, 2008

Dear Media,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to Judge Farina's comment that the county code is "superseded by the 1985 Constitution." Lou knows full well the constitutional oath is included in the county code's oath office so his point is moot! The county code is NOT contradicted by the constitution and is therefore the law of the land.

I am certain Farina is well aware that there is ambiguity and disagreement among lawyers regarding the proper oath of office and that his interpretation is not shared by all attorneys, most notably the Sheriff and Prothonotary's solicitors. Farina will be able to explain his view in the legal proceeding I intend to initiate if the Attorney General fails to act. In that case, Farina and I will have that legal argument in front of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court and we will see who will win.

However, to address this matter in the court of public opinion, I would like to make several points that Farina and those elected officers affected should carefully consider before digging their heels in and arguing that the wimpy oath of office that they took is "good enough."

All public officials who took this watered down oath of office should be calling on Judge Louis J. Farina to do it right! Otherwise the general public will be left thinking, "Are they avoiding this oath of office because they can't take the oath without lying?"; "Who paid them off?"; "Did they break campaign finance laws?" and on and on the questions and doubt will persist. The bottom-line is that this is a sorry way to start a four-year term of office by having these questions raised. This crisis is one of Farina's own doing and by failing to administer the proper oath, he has undermined the integrity of our government.

Finally, the fact that someone with a hobby website has to point out these problems is disheartening. Why isn't the paid media doing a better job of holding these elected officials accountable?

Ronald P Harper Jr.

Permanent Link - 5thEstate.com/080118b.htm

Incompetent Judge causes crisis!

January 18, 2008

In a letter (Click here to read) sent to Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett, Ron Harper Jr, Editor and Publisher of 5thEstate.com, demands Corbett immediately remove from office several recently elected county officials, including the three county commissioners and all recently elected row officers for failing to take the correct, statutorily required oath of office. (as well as a host of deputies, clerks, detectives etc.)

The situation arose after President Judge Louis J. Farina inexplicably left out about 80% of the oath of office to county officials at a January 4, 2008 "swearing in ceremony" at the county courthouse.

This is the oath Farina administered:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity."

According to the Pennsylvania law known as "The County Code" in the section entitled "Oath of Office", Pennsylvania 16 P.S. § 403, Farina failed to follow the law which states as follows:

In addition to any oath or affirmation required by any other act of Assembly, all county officers, their deputies, assistants and clerks, shall, before entering on the duties of their respective offices or employments, take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of this Commonwealth; and that I will discharge the duties of my office (or employment) with fidelity; that I have not paid or contributed, or promised to pay or contribute, either directly or indirectly, any money or other valuable thing to procure my nomination or election (or appointment), except for necessary and proper expenses expressly authorized by law; that I have not knowingly violated any election law of this Commonwealth, or procured it to be done by others in my behalf; that I will not knowingly receive, directly or indirectly, any money or other valuable thing for the performance or non-performance of any act or duty pertaining to my office (or employment) other than the compensation allowed by law".

All three county commissioners, the district attorney, the coroner, and all the elected row officers did NOT take the bold portion of the oath.

Harper argues in his letter that since the officials failed to take the required statutory oath of office, they should be removed from office according to 16 P.S. § 403 Section B which says:

"The foregoing oath shall be administered by some person authorized to administer oaths, and shall be filed in the office of the prothonotary of the county in which the same is taken. Any person refusing to take said oath or affirmation shall forfeit his office." ("italics and bold added")

Harper commented about the importance of the abridged oath, "I am not a lawyer and I don't play one on TV, but I figured this out," Harper said. "It's a relatively simple matter that Lou couldn't get right. This is, frankly, an embarrassing demonstration of the court's incompetence and why their wild and reckless spending needs to be checked by the county commissioners before they break the taxpayers' bank."

"Think about it," Harper asked, "isn't it possible that a criminal - a rapist or murderer - who has a case involving [newly elected district attorney] Craig Stedman might get his case tossed because Stedman wasn't properly installed into office?"

Harper's request for a "Quo Warranto" action would normally be made to Stedman, but Stedman is one of the officials who didn't take the oath of office required by law.

According to case law, if the Attorney General fails to respond to his formal written request, Harper can file the petition to remove the county officials himself in Commonwealth Court.

"And that's exactly what I intend to do," Harper said. "Someone's got to teach Lou to do his job right. The taxpayers deserve at least that much from their judges, don'tcha think?"

Permanent Link - 5thEstate.com/080118.htm

Lancaster Courts WASTE Millions and Millions!
We Demand Accountability!

November 30, 2007

Amazingly, Lancaster County Court says that part of their mission is "Developing the accountability of Court employees". From the actions of President Judge Lou Farina, that means "do what I say, not what I do"! The President Judge (PJ) is picked to run the courts by his peers. Farina, as the PJ is answerable to the people. However, Farina has refused to EVER appear in a public meeting and answer ANY questions about the judicial budget which increased 51% over a five year period! Furthermore, Farina's $111,232-a-year Mark Dalton REFUSED to answer ANY questions at least years county budget meeting.

As a result of the outragous and insulting behavior, 5thEstate.com has put together a STOP THE WASTE! website which highlights the problems. In America, we do NOT have royalty. That's spelled out in the United States Constitution! Despite this fact, the court has turned it's nose on the taxpayers. Instead of treating us like the boss, the courts continue to devour more financial resources without ANY accountability whatsoever!

We the people need to REQUIRE our newly elected commissioners to STOP the $52 Million +++ expansions of the courthouse. The court isn't using it's facilities 40% of the time now! Why should we build even more empty rooms that our children will be paying off?!?

NO2Judges.com. It's the site that Lou Farina doesn't want you to see!

Lancaster Newspapers - Rehashing Other's Work

No Investigative Reporting!

November 27, 2007

Get your news from Lancaster Newspapers? Don't look for any original investigative reporting anytime soon! Take the most recent story about the local man whose bizarre tale has him being captive by demons and hiding for a couple of decades.

Lancaster New Era's version

Intelligencer Journal's version

Here's what the Intell's Dave Pidgeon says:

He (the guy hiding) said he had set up the LaRose Web site to bring attention to his case.

Aren't you glad Pedgeon gave us this fine story and gave the reason for why we are reading about this:

"But the reporters kept digging, unearthing news reports 30 years old and finding photograph"?

That's why this guy was uncovered - right? Or not. Did Pidgeon ever think that while he was copying the story from the other newspapers that the guy wanted to be discovered - hence the WEBSITE? What a hoot. The newspaper gets a tip to look at a website which the guy created - which then triggers them question asking. Wow.

From the Daily Record we get truth of how the discovery was made:

LaRose's nephew, Ed Miller of Holland, Mich., told The Daily Record that a family member conducted a "whois"search to determine the site's ownership.

That's when they discovered the site was registered to Ken Williams in Centerton, Ark.

Two family members called The Daily Record on Monday afternoon to talk about their discovery.

On Monday evening - when Daily Record reporters asked him about it - Williams denied a connection to LaRose, even though the site bears a striking resemblance to Williams' own site, www.kenwilliamsministries.org. .[/quote]

The Intell says this:

A newspaper from northern Indiana quoted a local church official as saying LaRose's wife Eunice had remarried and remained with her two daughters in the area.

Oooops. Your ethics are slipping AGAIN. Just what is this newspaper called that you are quoting? This is called stealing. The newspaper needs to give credit, but the Intell is so use to stealing other people's work that they don't even blush anymore!

Try the Times of Northwest Indiana

Floyd said LaRose's former wife still lives in the region, and remarried seven years after the disappearance. When she recently learned that LaRose still might be alive, the shock of the news "threw her for a loop," Floyd said.

How is this for a quote from the Intell:
The problem is, the real Bruce K. Williams was a New York teenager who died in a 1958 car crash near where LaRose had lived, according to several news reports.

What news reports? Where? When were they printed? We are just suppose to take their word apparently!

What about the local angle? Surely the newspaper could come up with some fresh information? Amusingly, the Lancaster New Era had to quote another newspaper for the guy's dad - who lives in Lancaster! What a hoot. They copy everything without a single blurb of original reporting!

If you really want to read the TRUE sources for the story go to the following:

Christianity Today's 1976 article
A Minister Is Missing

Benton Daily Record
Being Don LaRoses
Man on the run

Fort Smith Times
Centerton Mayor Living Lie

Times of Northwest Indiana
Missing ex-Hammond pastor found after nearly 30 years
Grandson skeptical of 'missing' pastor's motives

5thEstate.com - where TRUE Investigative Reporting gets done!

Permanent Link - http://5thEstate.com/071127.htm

Reform Needed Now

What no one is talking about...

Opinion by Editor and Publisher of 5thEstate.com, Ron Harper, Jr.

November 23, 2007

Last May's primary election sent shock waves across the state demanding "reform". While the players still need shuffling, one of the largest areas of abuse involves the out-of-control authorities and no one is talking about it! Some of these authorities can take money out of your wallet and some can even take your house and you have little or no recourse. These Legislative Frankensteins - once created – are nearly impossible to destroy! Such is the case with the convention center authority. If it weren't for the newspaper – who is 1/2 owner of this Frankenstein project and constantly keeps the public in the dark – this project would have been killed long ago.

Authorities are wrong because:

One of the original intents of the authority was to "take politics" out of decisions. A great concept except that in America – decisions sometimes are sloppy. They are not neat or pretty, but that's ok. It beats the powerless feeling that Lancaster Countians have had watching this project go on and on and on! No American should have to sit and watch public officials make dumb decision after dumb decision without any recourse. However, because of the "Third Class County Convention Center Authority Act", that's our only option.

The second reason that authorities were created has to do with financing. Basically, by creating a separate entity, more money can be borrowed. This is a silly reason to make Legislative Frankensteins that are Unamerican, Undemocratic and Unaccountable! As we have seen with this project, supporters simple change the law when it doesn't suit them – let's raise the limit that government entities can borrow.

The third reason that authorities were created had to do with corporate culture in the United States. Companies began focusing on "core concepts" and the idea was that an authority could focus on one thing rather than all the items that a government has to. For instance, the city of Lancaster created a parking authority. Did you know that the first responsibility of the parking authority is paying for the concrete? That means things like how parking fees effect economic development in the city takes a back seat to paying the bills. It might make sense for the general budget to underwrite the parking authority. What about the county trash authority? They have so much money that they could afford to give John Barley $4 million dollars for doing absolutely nothing! The trash authority is also spending $23.5 million dollars for the transfer station! But get this - they are paying for it out of the reserves! (they may borrow money so their reserves don't get too low!) If they have that much money to throw around, that surplus could be used for other priorities. For instance, if the county were to dissolve the trash authority and make it a department under the county, all monies over the cost of doing business could be used for the general budget. Or it could be used for farmland preservation – or whatever! These items could be discussed in public meetings and made by elected officials who would then face the electorate some day! That's the way America is supposed to be!

The bottom line: Let's do away with authority laws and force elected officials to make the hard decisions and be accountable.

Permanent Link - http://5thEstate.com/071123.htm

'Toon of the town
Dale High Meets with other Hoteliers to explain hotel tax...

First published in 2001

Permanent Link - http://5thEstate.com/071119.htm

Boyd Finds Values?
Under fire, Boyd retreats and corrects

Remember how Scott Boyd was caught with his Senate Campaign website up and running while denouncing someone else for campaigning? (Click here to see our story) It's clear that Boyd campaign consultant Jeff Coleman read our parody website that mocked Boyd's search for values (click here to see our parody MyRepublicanValues.com) Coleman, the pretty boy of political consultants, served for a mere two years before announcing his "retirement" and starting his political consulting business.

Coleman made an estimated $8,000 on Boyd's 11 minute video and the matching new website that was produced to start his Senate campaign. The theme of Boyd's campaign? "Rediscovering Our Values: A Return to Republican Principles." Amazingly, for political watchers, is the irony of Boyd's biggest fan - East Hempfield GOP chairman - Diane Moore (who hates Heidi Wheaton), not blinking at Coleman simply regurgitating Wheaton's "Lancaster Values" in her 2006 run for state senate!

We suspect that Boyd paid Coleman an awful lot for leftovers that didn't get someone elected!

The video shows a staged and phony speech given by Boyd to cheering supporters. When did this event occur? How many of those acting in the video showed up at Boyd's breakfast to see themselves on the big screen? More importantly, what reporter is going to write the story on Boyd and his decision to drop out of the Senate race and stay in the house? What lead up to that ego-deflating decision? Moreover, why did Boyd prepare this video and website? Does Boyd have competition for his house seat that the public doesn't know about? It's hard to imagine spending thousands and thousands of dollars when you don't have someone running against you! Or does he?

Thanks to 5thEstate.com's time machine, we can show you how consultant Coleman changed the theme from last month's "Rediscovering Our Values" to this month's "Standing up for Republican Values". Apparently Boyd went from trying to find values to standing up for them in just one month! Amusingly, Coleman had all the DVD's printed up with the "Rediscovering Our Values" and merely changed the website but at least we know that someone is reading this 'zine!

In today's Sunday News, Boyd is quoted as saying that people, "drift by degrees." Apparently Boyd has yet to see how he's done his own drifting by viewing, MyRepublicanValues.com!

Stay tuned to 5thEstate.com to find out about Boyd's political-fight-of-his-life!

Permanent Link - http://5thEstate.com/071108.htm

Lancaster New Era...going, going gone?
Where else are you going to read this?

November 9, 2007

Get this - the Saturday Morning Intell is going to have the New Era Opinion/Editorial page opposite the Intell OP ED page! So much for the so-called "separate" newspapers!

So on top of canning five employees, dropping an edition of the New Era, LNP is also going to RAISE the price of the classified ads!

9:30 AM - UPDATE: NO SATURDAY PAPER! Four writers GONE and one copy editor TO BE ANNOUNCED!

8 AM - Is Lancaster Newspaper losing "Faith & Values"? Yesterday at 12:30 PM there were two important, simultaneous meetings held at Lancaster Newspaper's office on 8 W. King Street. The Sunday News and the Lancaster New Era staff each met in their respective newsrooms. Sunday News Editor Marv Adams met with his staff, while Harold "Chip" Miller, president and CEO, met with the New Era staff. The reason? To share the revenue problems the newspapers are experiencing and to announce that FIVE New Era employees were GONE!

The Sunday News staff were told of the layoffs and that they would have to work harder and longer hours. Both the newspapers have experienced a DECREASE in their circulation figures while the Intell has increased by just a handful.

For years the New Era traded on it's "Republican" leaning "values" but as the county has increased in population, fewer and fewer people have stepped up to buy their Associated-Press-laden, morning-paper- regurgitation, establishment-pushing dribble.

The Steinman message to it's employees? Happy Holidays!

Permanent Link - http://5thEstate.com/071109.htm

There it was on the front page - a misplaced ",". At first glance it looked like Craig Lehman only got two thousand or so votes instead of the almost 25 thousand votes he did receive! Mistakes like a comma are not surprising given the shear amount of data on an election night.

But how do you explain both the Intelligencer Journal and the Lancaster New Era BOTH getting a county-wide race totally incorrect? It's really inexcusable that - if not the reporter - the editors wouldn't have picked up the fact the "Recorder of Deeds" was NOT on the ballot this time! The race between Mary Ann Gerber and Fritz Schrom was for the Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphan's Court! (notice there are actually TWO offices - was that printed anywhere?)

While the Intell's mistake in the middle of long story is a little more understandable - how can the New Era's Ernie Schreiber explain his editorial getting the name of the office wrong? If the New Era is writing an editorial extolling the great job the Republican Party has done and can't get the an important detail like the name of the officer that Mary Ann Gerber won - how can you believe anything else that is written?

The Republican Party of Lancaster is in a moral crisis. Instead of holding candidates to the declared Republican Principals, the GOP (and the newspaper) is more interested in propping up establishment hacks. Without making judgement (pun intended) on the six people elected to judgeship, how many of the committee people will spend enough time in their court room to see if "their guy" is actually doing right by our constitutions? My guess that only a handful of committee people will ever do so. Fewer yet will hold the judge accountable that has gone wayward.

Want proof of their credibility demise? Two years ago, in GOP chairman Dave Dumeyer's own West Hempfield, a democrat took the top spot in the supervisor's race! That local race is more a harbinger of what's coming than in a county-wide seat where there's a solid majority and lots of attention paid to the race. While changing demographics certainly play a role, the Republican party's failure to discipline and monitor it's elected officials is more likely the cause.

Earlier this year, Lancaster County courts President Judge Lou Farina testified before the Government Study Commission that "There's a reason that judges where robes and are elevated above everyone"! Really? Farina didn't tell us what those reasons are AND he refused to answer ANY questions posed to him. Of course you didn't read about Farina storming out of the meeting because the newspaper doesn't want you to know about it! It's apparent to me that Farina is more concerned about the "appearance" of fairness in Lancaster Courts than he is actually in seeing that it happens. When Mark Dalton - the top administrator of the local court - failed to speak ONE WORD to justify the $70,000,000 expansion of the court, the newspaper didn't blink. Instead of dogging the story and discovering that our court rooms aren't even utilized 40% of the time and we don't need ANY new court rooms, the newspaper forgets all about it.

Want proof that Judge Farina is more concerned about appearance than doing it right? For years since "family business court" has been around, there is ZERO record taken of what is said. That's right, the lawyers can come before a judge and present a petition and can argue the most outrageous points without fear that their words will be recorded. The judges make decisions based on these arguments without a record of what was said to them. I have personally witness a grandma (the mother of a woman who was before Judge Hummer) present a petition! The Grandma was not a lawyer and besides, there's not suppose to be testimony in a "business court" - but that didn't stop Hummer from allowing it!

Remember the recent article in the Lancaster New Era about several fathers suing the county, the judges and domestic relations? Amazingly the newspaper failed to send even ONE reporter for even five minutes to observe the court themselves! Family court judges have long realized that Lancaster Newspapers and the Republican party will not do ANYTHING to monitor or check their performance! NOTHING at all!

When I began my series on family court over two years ago, Judge Hummer pretended that he had no idea about who 5thEstate.com was or who I was. A little over a year later, Hummer banned me from the courtroom! That's right - Hummer forbid me to enter his courtroom because he didn't like what I was writing! It was only after a threat of a federal lawsuit from my attorney that Hummer relented.

5thEstate.com is a labor of love. The hours and hours I spend in the courts and tracking elected officials is done out of my sense of "public service". Please consider donating this Christmas to 5thEstate.com:

The so-called leaders in the GOP and the newspaper have got to stop pleasing each other with their establishment-hack ways. It's time that LNP actually trained/hired reporters to get AGGRESSIVE and stop sitting on their collective rear-ends at 8 West King Street. I laugh whenever I see a reporter write that someone didn't call them back. Sure that's ok one time, but did the reporters ever hear of a car?!? Why don't they track the people down at work/home? It's no wonder that my don't-take-no-for-answer reporting style - which is very common in the rest of the country - is considered shocking in Lancaster County. Imagine not letting an unanswered phone call being the last word?

The Pennsylvania Constitution in Article One, Section Two states, "All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness. For the advancement of these ends they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think proper."

Don't ever let the hacks forget that WE are in charge - not them!

Thanks for reading 5thEstate.com. Please tell your friends and even your enemies. The more people that read alternative news media, the more the hacks will be forced to make improvements.

Ron Harper Jr

Permanent Link - http://5thEstate.com/071108.htm

East Hempfield Secret Meeting
Lancaster Newspaper's business partner watch!

November 4, 2007

5thEstate.com has kept on top of Lancaster Newspaper's business partner S. Dale High's latest project across from Long's Park. Our faithful readers will remember about the Manhiem Township "Double Crossing" (click to read our story) and how High's business partner's employee totally 'dissed the citizen's group's lawyer (click to read our story)

Needless to say - this is something that you just won't see in Lancaster Newspaper's publication unless they are embarrassed into it! Shortly after we published those stories in July, High employees had a closed-door secret meeting with the entire East Hempfield board - save one!

We heard about the secret meeting. we read the minutes and watched to see if the newspaper would print about their business partner's illegal meeting. Nothing was ever printed!

The secret meeting was revealed in the August 1, 2007 meeting when absent-from-the-secret-meeting Heidi Wheaton spoke about it in a public meeting. Just how did the supervisor explain their leave-the-public-out-of-the-meeting? Litigation! The problem? There is no litigation!

While East Hempfield supervisors could discuss ALONE with their lawyer(s) threatened or pending litigation, their absolutely no reason under they could meet with Dale High's "representatives" now! How did Lancaster Newspaper report on their business partner's closed door meeting? The August 2, 2007 Lancaster New Era's David O'Connor story was entitled, E. Hempfield trash fees increasing 25%

. STOP THE PRESS!

Never a word was written in Lancaster Newspaper's about East Hempfield supervisor's illegal meeting.

This isn't the first time that Lancaster New Era has covered for the establishment's East Hempfield township. Two years ago, it was revealed that supervisor Brett Miller was embroiled in the middle of auditgate - Miller missed three audits and signed a completely bogus one. What did the New Era do? They endorsed Miller of course! (click to read our story)

In this election - Miller is running with primary lose Ed Lefevre who are currently considering a 25% tax increase! Loser Lefevre while losing the primary - he said because of bad ballot position - is running a write-in campaign with the blessings of most of the East Hempfield township GOP. (click to read our story)

5thEstate.com - we tell you the rest of the story!

Boyd Lies About Campaign
Started his campaign a week before McDonald!

Editor's note: Be sure to check out our Boyd parody website @ MyRepublicanValues.com

October 26, 2007

Three and half weeks ago, State Rep. Scott Boyd decried Steve McDonald's campaign for Pennsylvania Senate saying that he was violating some unwritten rule in Lancaster politics by not waiting until the fall election was over. 5thEstate.com has discovered that Boyd had already started his campaign in full swing at the same time he was holding a press conference !

Boyd launched his new campaign website on September 24, 2007 - a full week before holding the press conference saying that McDonald should NOT be campaigning until the fall elections is over! It appears as though McDonald actually beat Boyd to the punch! Ironically, it was Senator Armstrong who pointed out the Lancaster New Era and the Republican Party was being played by Boyd! Armstrong told the New Era that Boyd was "trying to manipulate the Republican Party and the press for his own self-interest."!

Oopps - too late for that - it's already happened!

Months ago, Boyd's hired a consultant who produced an 11 minute video featuring Boyd crying about how nothing got done in Harrisburg in the last five years. Boyd's brand new website launched in late September, to go along with his video, is called RepublicanValuesSurvey.com which features questions with answer too obvious for even a freshman Political Science!

Look at the insulting questions - is there a doubt what the answer should be from conservative Lancaster County?

From Boyd's website:

So what will the Lancaster New Era do now that they have been "played" by Boyd? What will Lancaster GOP chairman Dave Dumeyer when he finds that he was played as well? (We don't have to ask what Diane Moore would do since she's on his committee and she likely knew that Boyd was lying when he pretended to be upset that someone was campaigning before this election cycle!)

Boyd's repackaging himself in light of his record inspired 5thEstate.com to have fun! We decided to create the website that Boyd should have made called MyRepublicanValues.com which shows Boyd "reinventing" himself to run for Senate! Check it out and be sure to tell your friends!

Permanent Link - http://5thEstate.com/071026.htm

'Toon of the town
How low can Journalistic Standards go?

October 25, 2007

Permanent Link - http://5thEstate.com/071025.htm

Don't Count on Voter Registration
5thEstate.com's legal department straightens them out!

October 23, 2007

Editor's note: There's nothing as important in our Republic than counting votes. Why don't the newspapers check with others instead of BLINDLY printing quotes from someone who is in direct contradiction to the law?

Does your vote count in Lancaster County? Don't bet on it! Last month on September 18, Intell reporter Dave Pidgeon got this quote from the chief clerk of the county Board of Elections regarding Gary Kirchner's bid for write-in Coroner:

"Mary Stehman, chief clerk of the county Board of Elections, said voters must spell Kirchner's last name correctly for a vote to count. Any variation of "G. Gary Kirchner" or "Dr. Kirchner" or just "Kirchner" would be acceptable, but if his last name is misspelled, the vote is void, Stehman said.

Wrong.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court made case law in 1952 when it upheld the McCracken appeal which spelled out (pun intended) how Mary Stehman should view write-in votes:

... where the voter's intention is found it should not be defeated by the fact that the name of the candidate is misspelled, the wrong initials employed, or some other or slightly different name of like or similar pronunciation has been written instead of that of the candidate actually intended to be voted for.... A ballot may be counted which contains a candidate's surname only, although there are other persons in the county having the same surname, it being shown that there was no other person of such name who was a candidate for the same or any other office; and so also if only the middle name of the candidate is wrong, or if the first name is abbreviated, or if the wrong initials are used."

That means that ALL derivatives will count!

Kirchner
Circner
Chirner
Kirkner

etc...

Click here to read the entire Pennsylvania Supreme Court Opinion

5thEstate.com - no lawyers on staff - just people who can read!

LNP Commissioner Stories - More Lies Ahead
5thEstate.com BUSTS the Proganda Arm @ 8 West King Street!

October 7, 2007

In case you have been living under a rock, Lancaster Newspapers owns 50% of the LARGEST corporate welfare project in the HISTORY of Lancaster County. So what does the newspaper do when their biggest enemy Molly Henderson is running for office? Let's just say we don't call them the propaganda arm for nothing! Don't worry - we will show you the video so you can see for yourself! So the candidates were asked about giving money to the Convention Center Authority, how can they make their candidate - Craig Lehman look good and mitigate their enemy Molly Henderson? First completely ignore Molly's answer (no reference by name) and then quote Lehman who was actually quoting Molly when she said that the Penn Square Partners should pony up the money for the convention center!

The order that the candidates answered the questioned stayed consistence throughout the evening. This question was first answered by Scott Martin followed by Dennis Stuckey, Jere Swarr, Molly Henderson and FINALLY Craig Lehman. We say finally, because if you read Intell reporter Dave Pidgeon, you would think that Craig LED the discussion! In part, here's what he wrote:

"If there's going to be any more money for construction, it should come from the private partners," Lehman said, referring to Penn Square Partners, a private developer involved in the project.

Swarr agreed.

Swarr agreed? Swarr agreed? First Craig "me-too" Lehman is quoted parroting Molly and then Pidgeon makes it look that Swarr agreed with Lehman!

The New Era doesn't do better. First reporter Anya Litvak puts the Conestoga View noose around Molly's neck and then completely ignores her obvious leadership in holding the convention center authority accountable by not mentioning her name in discussing the issue!

Here's in part what she says

In unison, all five candidates said "no" to general fund dollars going to help build or operate the downtown convention center currently underway.

OR NOT! Listen to the video - there's no unison "no" given! Then Litvak quotes Lehman lamenting the way the convention center project was pushed forward!

'Diss your enemy and promote your "boy" - all in one paragraph!

Read what the newspaper said yourself:

Intelligencer Journal, October 5, 2007

Lancaster New Era, October 5, 2007

On the topic of the $170 million hotel/convention center, all five candidates said the project would not receive another penny of county subsidy for construction or operating budgets. No county money is directly going to the project, but the county would be responsible for paying back half of a $40 million construction bond should the hotel/convention center fail. "If there's going to be any more money for construction, it should come from the private partners," Lehman said, referring to Penn Square Partners, a private developer involved in the project. Swarr agreed. "General fund money? No," he said. "Guaranteed bonds over what we already have? No. A hotel tax increase? No. "I don't like to make promises in a campaign, but those I will make."

In unison, all five candidates said "no" to general fund dollars going to help build or operate the downtown convention center currently underway. "What it's done to divide this community may be irreparable," Lehman said about the way that initiative has been handled over the last eight years.

'Toon of the town
Immo Sulyok's Expection of the Sewer Authority

October 5, 2007

Boyd's Press Conference
Staffer steals signs critical of Boyd! Boyd refuses to answer questions!

October 1, 2007

The Pig visited Scott Boyd today and the Lancaster New Era failed to mention one word! What's up with that? Before the press conference started, 28-year-old Boyd staff Brandon Dant stole "Birma Shave" signs that said "Pay Us Back Boyd"! When confronted about the sign stealing, Dantz said he would put them back if Boyd wanted him to!

Amazingly, the Lancaster New Era reporter didn't want to know anything about the sign stealing! See it all on video - only @ 5thEstate.com!

Lancaster's April Fool's Day 2013
Commentary from a guest...

September 30, 2007

Lancaster, PA
April 1, 2013

The dramatic events of the past few weeks, concerning the downtown Lancaster hotel and convention center, have raised many questions about how this situation could have possibly happened.

Briefly, the former Marriot hotel opened to great fanfare in the spring of 2009, with the convention center officially opening a few weeks later. The number of guests staying at the Marriot was less than expected; Interstate Hotel blamed this on the ongoing recovery from the shallow recession of 2008, and ever-increasing gasoline prices. The convention center hosted six events in the remainder of 2009, leading project supporters to paint a rosy picture of its future.

2010 was promised to be a transition year, and indeed it was, in more ways than one. Ten events were held, four big enough to be considered "major", which project supporters claimed as proof the project was already a success. Even so, hotel occupancy rates averaged below 50%.

By the summer of 2011, it became obvious that the convention center losses would be far greater than anticipated. The convention center held eight events during 2011, only three of which were sizable. The County Commissioners reluctantly approved an increase in the hotel room tax to the maximum allowed by law. And the Penn Square Partners had been unable to refinance the $24 million RACL construction loan before it was due. Fulton Bank stepped in at the last minute, providing the final mortgage for the hotel building. Even so, project supporters still held out hope for a more successful future.

At the beginning of 2012, the local newspapers printed a series of articles that claimed to demonstrate how the people of Lancaster were already benefiting from the hotel and convention center project. But the truth was, the project was struggling. Only four events were scheduled for all of 2012 (two smaller events were eventually added), and the hotel occupancy rate continued to slide. People who publicly expressed concern over the financial state of the hotel and convention center were loudly derided as "naysayers" by project proponents.

By the end of 2012, the truth was undeniable. Only four minor events were scheduled for all of 2013, and bookings at the Marriot hotel continued to fall. The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Lancaster asked Lancaster City Council to guarantee the $24 million Fulton Bank mortgage, but a majority of members voted no, in spite of repeated pleas from Mayor Rick Gray. Penn Square Partners was unable to make the final mortgage payment of 2012, and declared bankruptcy in January of this year. Many questions still remain as to how the PSP could have declared bankruptcy without affecting the financial position of its parent companies.

As holder of both the $24 million and $14.5 million mortgages on the hotel building, Fulton Bank took control of the hotel building after the bankruptcy of PSP. RACL still holds title to the building, but without any funding of its own it is basically powerless. As the hotel building and furnishings began to deteriorate due to lack of money for maintenance, Marriot cancelled its franchise agreement, and Interstate Hotels resigned as manager for both the hotel and convention center. The hotel is still operating without a national franchise agreement, though its ongoing losses cannot be sustained indefinitely.

As guarantor of the $64 million in convention center loans, Wachovia Bank became increasingly alarmed at this turn of events. Under increasing pressure from Wachovia, in February of 2013 Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray and State Representative Mike Sturla announced an agreement to turn the main convention hall into a slot machine casino.

This proposal was greeted with vocal opposition. A number of civic and religious organizations have banded together to fight the casino proposal. Since the announcement, Lancaster City Council and LCCCA board meetings have been packed with casino opponents. State Senator Steve McDonald announced hearings to investigate the possible misuse of State funds. But the Lancaster County Commissioners issued a vague statement which emphasized the importance of the hotel and convention center to the revitalization of downtown Lancaster. And the local newspapers have all published articles that support the casino proposal, while cautiously expressing doubt about the propriety of gambling.

Proceeds from the "hotel tax" are enough to pay for the Wachovia convention center construction bonds, which have been reduced to "junk" status. There is enough money left after the bond payments to barely maintain the convention center, but not enough to keep it open without a steady source of income. Fulton Bank has been unable to find a buyer for the hotel building, although there are reports of some interest if the convention hall is actually converted into a casino.

Certainly a casino would provide the income necessary to maintain both the hotel and convention center. But the financial issues facing Lancaster City have required a reduction of police staffing, and there is genuine concern whether the increase in traffic and crime which would accompany a casino could be dealt with adequately.

The biggest losers have been the citizens of Lancaster. The "economic development" promised by the project never materialized; a few new restaurants and shops had opened since 2008, but even more have failed. And the jobs promised by this project turned out to be nothing more than yet another work of fiction.

Hempfield GOP Slaps Voters in Face
Demonstrates Dysfunction after Defeat

September 1, 2007

5thEstate.com Exclusive!

9/4/07 Paul & Lisa Buckwalter wrote to say they will not be working against the voters!

On May 15, 2007, voters marched into their voting booths and selected the candidates the