~ “Sitting in traffic lights” ~ THINK ABOUT IT! GASP!     First, a brief apology - gasp!  Ron Harper, Jr. and I obviously don’t agree on all issues, but yesterday’s personal anger was based on an email that was mis-interpreted by both of us.  So, I apologize and will try to keep personal matters (well, some) off of this website. THAT’S HOW IT’S DONE     Congratulations to the Lancaster Police for arresting two men they allege are responsible for shooting Brianna Pratt on January 4, 2007.  Good work.  The way to stop crime is to arrest those responsible when it does happen.  Hopefully, they are still actively investigating the murder of Heather Marie Nunn, the mother of two young daughters, and will make an arrest in that case as well. RIGHT TO KNOW     Well, District Attorney Donald Totaro’s County Detectives might not have found anything illegal with a Columbia police computer with sensitive information and photos ending up in public hands, but the Columbia Boro Council sure did.  Wow!  They fired Sgt. William L. Meyers last night.  The public has a right to know that this type of information will, at all times, be kept strictly confidential according to required policy.  The Intell buried the story on Page B5.  I wonder why? LET THE SUN SHINE IN!     Imagine our pleasant surprise, then, to find there are a few breaks in the open-government clouds as we embark on national Sunshine Week today.     One ray of sunshine: State Sen. Gib E. Armstrong, R-13th District, is introducing legislation to increase the fine for violating the state open-meetings law from $100 to $1,000. “Mad-dog” Marv Adams in his Sunday News column this week titled, “Ray of sun.”     Marv, we are so glad you were pleasantly surprised.  That Gib Armstrong is quite a fellow, isn’t he?  Didn’t he meet behind closed doors with Mayor Gray for two weeks trying to “fill” a $20 million dollar “gap” in the publicly funded convention center?  Didn’t he pass specialized legislation to support the convention center?     And Marv does what he loves to do for his employer - take yet another shot at the County Commissioners wih this:     Commissioners Dick Shellenberger, Molly Henderson and Pete Shaub paid $100 fines, plus court costs, for each violation. The paltry fines, the maximum allowed by the Sunshine Act, allowed the commissioners to argue that they really just paid the equivalent of a traffic ticket.     In reality, they pleaded guilty to violating the public trust, a far more serious offense than running a red light.     It now appears that Armstrong (gasp!) has been “violating the public trust.”  I am going to quote directly from The York Dispatch article that was linked to and first written about on Lancaster Online by Artie See of Looking At Lancaster.  Let’s see if the Lancaster Newspapers do a story about this outrageous conduct and theft of taxpayer’s dollars..  This is beyond comprehension.  Throw this bum out!  If he can’t think he shouldn’t be a senator!   50 miles a troublesome number for senators under new per diem rules By Carl Lindquist of The York Dispatch     Sen. Gib Armstrong said he just didn't think about it.     The powerful Republican senator was part of the leadership team that decided last year to end un-itemized meal and lodging reimbursements, called per diems, for senators who live within 50 miles of the Capitol.     The reform went into effect in early January to stop senators who live close to the Capitol from claiming the blanket reimbursement.     It didn't dawn on Armstrong until recently that the rule could apply to him.     "I didn't even think about it," he said. "It didn't even matter to me."     The per diem system has come under scrutiny for alleged abuse because senators, regardless of where they lived, could claim the per diems by staying overnight or eating any meals on legislative business.     Last year, state records show Armstrong, who represents parts of Lancaster and York counties, was reimbursed $7,830 in per diems.     No one, including Armstrong himself, is sure if he will be cut off from per diems by the 50-mile rule. His distance from the Capitol depends on the route he takes, he said, and the rule isn't clear on how it should be applied.     Armstrong, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, acknowledges the shortest route from his Lancaster County home to the Capitol is less than 50 miles. The current maximum per diem is $129 per day when on legislative business. Quickest or shortest?:     But he argues the quickest route, which is currently cut off because of a closed bridge, is actually slightly longer than 50.     "I don't want to be sitting in traffic lights," he said.     The temporary route Armstrong now uses is a bit longer than 100 miles round-trip, he said. Traveling from his home to the Capitol is 49.7 miles using what he says is the second-fastest route.    It's a bit longer in the other direction, he said.   For the full article, with a great deal more information, click here.   How stupid does this man think the public is?  Throw the bum out – and “Mad-dog” Marv with him.   SAY WHAT?  THE BRIDGE IS CLOSED? Please check back later today…   ~ Harper:  “I’m the only REAL reporter in the world” ~ CRYING AGAIN!       PS.  I am trying to do a good thing. I get kicked around for it. I stick my neck out to do what I think is right so a lot of people wanna take shots at me - so be it.  It doesn't mean that I have to be a punching bag!  As to my spelling?   Sorry, I am a product of city schools. Posted by Ron Harper, Jr. of the 5thestate.com yesterday on the Lancaster Online forum under the article, “Columbia police sergeant cleared in computer case.”     The Lancaster Newspaper reporters sit on their butts and make phone calls or emails and then whine about not getting a response. Sorry. REAL reporters go knock on doors!     That's why so many in Lancaster whine about me- they compare me to these chair sitters and can't believe that someone would DARE to actually try and get a response from PUBLIC OFFICIALS/PUBLICLY PAID people when they don't respond. Posted by Ron Harper, Jr. of the 5thestate.com yesterday on the Lancaster Online forum under the article, “Serving 2 masters.”       Yes, the brief warm up in relations between Harper and myself is over.  When he needs help, he’s attentive and concerned.  When that’s over, he returns to his arrogant, egotistical, ridiculous and abusive self.     What is the first thing he did when the Columbia police computer story broke in the Intell?  He complained on Talkback that the article mentioned the Columbia Pa Online website before his own site was mentioned.  He posted that he was going to ask the paper for an “apology.”     Can you imagine?  Jesse Sweigart, who started the site and works at The Computer Outlet, realized what he was looking at was improper and possibly illegal and called Harper.  But Harper thinks he should get all of the credit.        Anyone who challenges him on a forum is named a “troll,” a “hater” or a “coward.”   His constant need for attention is astonishing.  Yes, we all know he’s just trying to do a “good thing” and he doesn’t get paid for it but he gets “kicked around for it.”  We’ve heard it over and over and over again.      As I told him previously, build a monument to yourself as a “REAL reporter” and leave the rest of us alone.  And your spelling is no reason to insult every other graduate of McCaskey.      I haven’t even begun on his “DaddyJustice” movie (when will that be released?) and his connection to the men’s rights sickos.  Funny, he had that site up for a while and one day decided he should add “For the Love of A Child...” as a sub-header.  They almost forgot about the child.  I think it should read, “Using your Child to Get Revenge on a Woman.”     Yes, some of this new animosity has to do with the “Crow,” Steve Markle, and I did contact the District Attorney’s office by phone at the end of last week and they are continuing to work on the case.      There will be more at a later date.   Click here for the Colunbia, PA website.  As I stated before, this is a wonderful and informative resource for the people of Columbia.   Coming later this week, “Arrogant Monsters,” a look at the Sunday News and New Era editor and champion of “civility,” Ernie Schreiber. I’M CHECKING MY CROW RECIPES! Please check back later today…   TOO OLD TO CROW!       Following are questions and comments I've gotten in letters, e-mails, postcards and phone calls. The questions and comments are in bold; my remarks are in light-faced type.     Cross my heart: You can't make up stuff like this.   You’re going to be very happy when [county Commissioner] Molly Henderson is re-elected. Yes, I am.  Marv is going to have to eat a lot of crow and someone should let him know he’s doesn’t have another four years.   Did you see the ad in one of the shoppers: "213 days until County appointees become majority on Convention Center Board?" Yes, I did.  I think it’s wonderful that the truth is finally reaching the public.  Poor “Mad-dog” Marv isn’t used to that happening.    Are you aware that you broke the law by printing that picture of a raving dog and saying it was “Mad-Dog” Marv? Very funny, Marv.  Next time do a better job of disguising your voice.   Marv waffled in his recent column on the coroner-Intell grand jury findings. Yes, he did.  It was illegal and unethical and he knows it.  But being a LNP employee, he can’t possibly admit it.    What do you think of NewsLanc.com's [the anti-convention center Web site] suggestion of an ombudsman? The hell with an ombudsman.  Just fire Marv.   Gil Smart is the only published voice of reason in the entire county and he tells it like it is. Marv, I said you should do a better job of disguising your voice.  Have you been to see Dr. Fraud?  Don’t call me again!   Just a note to thank you for removing Ann Coulter's column from your paper. I only wish more newspapers had your courage. You’re welcome.  We did it strictly for civility!  It did not – let me repeat – it did not touch too close to home for anyone employed at LNP -  including Ernie Schreiber.   I’ve heard that Marv is a lousy father and makes up all that stuff about his daughter. That’s preposterous!  He only started making it up about a year ago.  We have heard from a “political insider” that Children & Youth Services recently paid a visit to his home.     “Mad-Dog” Marv  HOW MAD WILL “MAD-DOG” MARV ADAMS GET?  WOW!   ~ Kelley For 28 Years! ~ ANOTHER DANGEROUS REPORTER       Interviewer Corey Clayton:  “Did you talk to members of the Amish community for the reconstruction of the story?  Were they forthcoming with any details that weren’t already covered?”       Janet Kelley:  “Well they were.  They did not speak to me.  They spoke to my colleagues and that was incorporated in my story.” Podcast”Interview with Janet Kelley” (click here).      Nine-year-old Emma Fisher said she heard a female voice clearly tell her, “Now would be a good time to run,’’ and she did, a split-second decision that might have saved her life.     No one else said a word or heard the voice — the voice, many believe, of an angel. From “Horror & Heroism” by Janet Kelley (the same link as above and click on the story from Day 2 of the series).       In 1979, she [Kelley] came to the New Era.  For the past 28 years, she has covered crime and court news for the 41,365-circulation paper. “New Era reporter wins top national writing award,” New Era, 3-5-07 (click here).       New Era reporter Janet Kelley won the Pulliam Award for her story about the Amish Tragedy, “Horror & Heroism.”  Good for her.  Do I think it’s great?  No.      I think it would be nice to know the source of some of her quotes because apparently Kelley didn’t speak to a single Amish person involved.  Amazing.     As the article states, Kelley has covered crime and court news for 28 years and that’s a problem.  I have never seen her question the police, the District Attorney or a judge’s decision.  When District Attorney Donald Totaro wants to announce a drug bust (usually after previous negative press such as the mistrial for Micah Stewart in an attempted homicide case), he makes sure to hold them early in the morning so Kelley can cover it and write a glowing report.     I have been paying close attention to events and reporting in Lancaster for three years.  And as I have stated previously, I first signed up on the Talkback Board as “astonished” in August of 2005 because of a Kelley piece in which she said the Columbia Police were “baffled” by the disappearance of Cortney Fry.  I was astonished a reporter could write such nonsense and not ask any pertinent questions.     And the below article involving the Millersville “Streaker” lawsuit has been on my site since March of 2006.  I consider this to be blatant lying and protection of the police by Kelley.     As I noted not long ago, this was scheduled to go to trial in Federal Court in Philadelphia on February 6, 2007.  That did not happen because the Millersville Police are offering a settlement in the case.  When that is finalized, and if the details are public information, I will post it here.       [Editor’s note -  the brief part of this story dealing with Nevin Cooley of the Penn Square Partners has been deleted.  The full article is available on the left under the button “Judgement Days.”  The New Era article linked to below is now in archives but there is a tremendous amount of "Talkback" under it if you page down.]   ~ “Flap” This! ~ KELLEY AND COOLEY LIE     “The Fourth Amendment provides:  The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” (From the Federal lawsuit against the Millersville Police – click here.)         Janet Kelley’s February 23, 2006 article, “Women sue Millersville cops in ‘streaker’ flap,” (click here) never once mentions the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.  Her article never once mentions that the women allege not only illegal entry into their home for forty-five minutes, but also that the Millersville police officers illegally searched their house.  The lawsuit says Officer Peifer, “…opened the pantry door, went into the bathrooms and opened the closet at the top of the steps.”  He also “…searched Bimler’s bedroom, her closet and the closet underneath the steps.”     Kelley, at the end of her article states, “Peifer, a 26-year veteran of the police department, was named Officer of the Year in 1995.”  She never mentions that the lawsuit says the following, “It is believed and therefore averred, that Defendant Rochat [the Millersville Police Chief] failed to properly train Defendants Peifer and Tartara and / or had knowledge of Defendant Peifer’s past misconduct…”      I do not know what Peifer’s alleged “past misconduct” was, but I doubt a lawyer would put that in a federal lawsuit unless he has valid proof of past misconduct.  Don’t you think Kelley would mention it and look into it?       Kelley also tells a huge lie that is based on the word “lie.”  Her article says Peifer told Skubon, “If you like, I will read you your Miranda rights.”     No.  The complaint reads that he said, “If you lie I will read you your Miranda rights.”     What’s the big deal?  It’s huge.  The lawsuit is alleging that he is threatening her that if she doesn’t tell him what he wants to hear, he will arrest her.  He was not being “nice” and “professional” and offering to read her her rights.     Okay, so you’re saying it could be a typo.  After all, it’s only a matter of a “k.”   I have one or two typos in my copy of the complaint on this site.  Well, Janet Kelley has been a reporter for over 25 years and has numerous editors.  She is quoting a federal law suit and the “mistake” should have been caught.  The New Era should print an apology and a correction.      The complaint is public information.  Anyone can go to the courthouse and get a copy.  No one’s “permission” is needed to print it.  How did Kelley get wind of the lawsuit filed in Philadelphia?  The plaintiffs didn’t tell her and neither did their attorney, J. Dwight Yoder. It is my speculation, and it is speculation only, that the Millersville Police tipped her off and wanted to try and reduce the impact of the suit when word did get out.  Why else would Kelley write that Peifer was named “Officer of the Year” but never once mention the lawsuit’s “past misconduct” allegation?      Who wrote the headline?  They are calling this a “flap.”  This isn’t a “flap.”    If even half of what the three plaintiffs allege in their suit is correct, this is a blatant and reprehensible violation of their constitutional rights and the two Millersville Police Officers should be fired.    Please check back on Monday for "Arrogant Monsters - 9."   ~ Hypocrite and Liar ~ INVESTIGATE TOTARO       The full press release from Chief Lancaster Detective Michael Landis regarding the Columbia Police computer that got into public hands is posted on the Columbia PA forum (click here).     This is the exact reason why Lancaster County District Attorney Donald Totaro had the State Attorney General investigate Coroner G. Gary Kirchner for over a year.  Isn’t what was on the Columbia computer the exact same type of material that the Intell reporters were illegally accessing?     From the press release Landis makes these statements: **********      Mr. Meyers stated that it was always his intent to return the computer to the police station when he was finished with it.     …While there is no doubt that the Sergeant took the computer from the police station without asking permission, he holds supervisory rank essentially making him second in command and affording him a degree of discretion in that regard.     This computer had little value. Investigators learned that Sergeant Meyers has donated personal equipment to the police department to use that had far greater value, in one case having a personal laptop computer refurbished and given to investigators to use to take statements. Sergeant Meyers owns a personal computer that is newer and superior in quality to the police department computer. Thus there was little motive for Sergeant Meyers to take the computer for his own personal benefit.”                                                                                                                               ***********     What does any of that have to do with the fact that very sensitive police information and photos were put into public hands?  A poster on the forum says it better than I could (I have changed the typing format to make it easier to read):   ************     “The good ole boy” network wins again!!!  It is hilarious that Myers took a PC tower home to transfer information – ever heard of a floppy or a disc to transfer info to another PC?  That excuse does not hold water.     Advice to all criminals based on the above statement: ~ Thieves:  Tell the police immediately upon arrest “I was going    to return it.” ~ Drug Dealers:  Always give heavy donations to your church and    other civic organizations.  Then you can use the Myer-ism, “I    gave a lot more to the community than I took from it!” ~ Rapists:  Always rape an uglier woman than you have at home.     That way you can say I did not need to do it.  I have a superior    model at home. ***********    The information on this computer is exactly why District Attorney Totaro went after Coroner Kirchner for allegedly giving his password to one reporter in 2004.  This trial is going to be a blast.  Remember that the five reporters who received “immunity” will have to testify.  How much money will Totoro waste to prosecute Kirchner while the five co-conspirators get a free pass?     Investigate District Attorney Donald Totaro and his County Detectives. SHE’S BACK!     Tomorrow – New Era editor Ernie Schreiber and reporter Janet Kelley.      One note to poster Alyssaraah1, who posted this on the Lancaster Online forum under the story, “New Era reporter wins top national writing award” about Kelley:     I have personally witnessed the sensitivity she uses when dealing with and writing about crime and its victims. She deserves an award for that alone.     Wow!  You are just so important and know so many influential people!  I’m impressed.  The funny part is - they don’t know you!  I’m still waiting for that other shoe to drop and when it does, trust me, I’ll be right there.    IS ERNIE IN A LATHER? Please check back later today…   ~ Again! ~ NOBODY DID NOTHIN’       Why does District Attorney Donald Totaro have County Detectives?  What do these men (I’m assuming they are all men) do?  How much are they being paid?