A3o—Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, May 3,1980
Eminent domain bill moves to joint committee
HARRISBURG - SB 985
and SB 906 Wednesday were
referred to a senate-house
conference committee.
The two bills would allow
private property taken by
eminent domain to be turned
back to the original property
owner if the condemning
agency had not used the land
within a limited period of
time.
The bills are being
promoted by Senator Edwin
G. Roll, Lansdale; and
Representative Roosevelt
Polite, Hatfield.
The Senate voted to non
concur with the two bills
PFA farm-city festival held
MOUNT JOY “Farm
life is good, worthwhile and
satisfying. Let’s bang on to it
and not let it disappear. ”
This combined description
and appeal by a Clearfield
County farm wife was given
at a Farm-City Festival
Wednesday attended by
Pennsylvania Cabinet
members’ wives and Gmny
Thornburgh, wife of Gov.
Dick Thornburgh.
The festival luncheon
program, whose purpose is
to help foster better un
derstanding between farm
and non-farm people, was
held at the Lancaster County
dairy farm of Elvin and
Marion Brenneman, R 1
Mount Joy.
The role of the farm wife
and appeal for farm Me
preservation was outlined by
Joyce Sankey, Clearfield
County, before die combined
audience of state govern
ment and PFA farm wives.
“The future will not be
decided by what we think,
know or say,” Mrs. Sankey
explained, “but by what we
do.”
She defined farming “as a
family working together not
only to produce food and
fibre, but a way of life.”
“It is joy and sorrow, work
and play, happiness and
despair and the raising of
grain, animals, fruits and
vegetables. But our best
crop is our kids.”
She called the family farm
the most efficient
agricultural operation in the
world that is being phased
because the legislation as
written applies only to the
Howard Knapp family of
Montgomery County.
The Knapp land was
condemned over 10 years
ago by the North Penn
School District. The district
now wants to sell the land to
a shopping center, and in
cidents stands to reap huge
profits in the bargain.
State Grange Master
Charles Wismer, who has
been shepherding the
legislation through the
Capital, said the move to
non-concur was a good sign
for the two bills.
The constitutionality of the
out of existence. Urging
better understanding, she
cited the need for continued
involvement in affairs and
activities affecting the
future of the family farm.
Gmny Thornburgh briefly
discussed the role of the wife
of state governmental
explaining her task
was mainly one of learning
at the meeting.
“It’s really no different
than that of any other wife,”
she said.
“When we were married,
we took an important pledge
to stand by that person and
be as supportive as we can.
Each of us made this same
commitment.
“The press and public may
look into our lives more
closely than yours.
Sometimes, this may be
painful but it is a wonderful
growth time.”
Similar meetings to en
courage better un
derstanding were held at
county and state levels in the
nationwide program.
Attending cabinet wives
were Irene Baran, wife of
the secretary of general
services; Isabel Dunn, wife
of state police com
missioner; Anne Muller,
wife of secretary of health;
Flo Scott, wife of adjutant
general; Beth Bartle, wife of
insurance commissioner;
Charlotte Scanlon, ’Mfe of
secretary of education;
Elizabeth Biester, wife of
attorney general; and Tnsh
Hallowell, wife of secretary
of agriculture.
Legislative roundui
measures has been
questioned since they would
apply to only the Knapp
family.
In the conference com
mittee, the bills pan be
reworked to apply to anyone
who is in a similar situation.
Both the Philadelphia and
Pittsburgh school districts
have objected to SB 985 and
SB 986 because they have
sizable holdings within then
respective cities. They don’t
like the impact of the bills
since they might have to
offer the land back to its
original owners at its
original pnce.
The conference committee
PFA farm wives attending
included Nellie Crawford,
Juniata County, women’s
commitee chairman;
Martha Rhoades, Clarion
County, vice chairman;
Betty Weaver, Snyder
County; Marion Brenneman,
Lancaster County; Gloria
Christman, Berks County;
Frances Fetterolf, Centre
County; Helen Jackson,
Lawrence County; Cmdi
Kunz, Crawford County;
Frances Lichtenwolner,
Lehigh County; Miriam
Long, Westmoreland
County; Mildred
Musselman, Adams County;
Dorothy Replogle, Bedford
County; Joyce Sankey,
Clearfield County; Arlene
Summers, Susquehanna
County; Jean Tiffany,
Bradford County; and
LaVem Shafer, Schuylkill
County.—DA
25*
YEAR
IWSS^^^liig
is expected to rewrite the
legislation so it applies only
to Class II school districts.
Most fanners are not too
concemec about city schools
since ther is no sizable body
of farmland in the city,
anyway.
“We want to make sure
this bill will win the day for
the Knapps, ” Wismer said.
At present the bill would
need to have an U year life
to assure the Knapps of
getting their property
returned.
Present law eliminates
return of land after three
years.
Pennsylvania Farmers’
Association also supports
legislative action to lengthen
the time period.
Wismer pointed out that
the bill could move with an
11 year period written in to
protect the Knapps and then
be ammended later to a
shorter period.
Action on the two bills
could be swift. The school
district, unable to sell its
land until the question is
decided, wants a prompt
resolution of the problem.
The Knapps and then
supporters, too, want speedy
action.
The Senate had acted on
the legislation within a day
or two of the time it was
received. Once the com
mittee reaches accord, it
should move swiftly.
Another bill which is
moving is HB 2406, the
Scenic Rivers Act. This bill
would include provisions for
a pastoral district—one
Rotary Mower
Conditioners
THE ULTIMATE HAY MAKER
Because it’s a drum type mower, the Krone Turbo
Mower offers an invaluable alternative for dependable
hay making. The rotary drums eliminate clogging and
plugging for less down time, and enable the mower to
perform in wet or dry crop conditions. These high
speed mowers mow, condition and windrow in just
one pass; are easy to operate and virtually
maintenance free. For efficiency and economy, Krone
Mower Conditioners make sickle bar mowing obsolete!
See for yourself.. .A KMN representative will be glad
to arrange a demonstration. Call, or write today to:
rv. / a product of
Vravpi MODERN FARM EQUIPMENT INC.
''■Mnl 12 Sullivan St Westwood, N J 07675 • (201)666 3707
CUMMINGS & BRICKER, INC. <
Distributors of Farm & Irrigation Equipment
R.D. #l, Claremont Rd. (Stover Dr.) Carlisle, PA 17013
Ph: 717-249-6720
Serving Farmers through Farm Equipment Dealers
which would define far
mland as a natural use of
rural land.
HB 2406 also would restrict
eminent domain provisions
for Scenic Rivers.
The bill has been reported
out of the House Con
servation Committee by
unanimous vote. Observers
say it should move within the
next two weeks.
This week the Senate did
not move on the milk
security fund legislation, SB
1287. Since PFA held its
legislative tour this week,
the Senate seemed reluctant
to take any action.
■eeooooooooeoooeooei
MILLER DIESEL INC.
6030 Jonestown Rd.
M Harrisburg, Pa. 17112
association or 717-545-5931
DIESEL SPECIALISTS interstate 81 Exit 26
Diesel fuel injection and turbo
charger specialists. »*:
Locally owned and operated
with over 22 years in business.
Authorized Sales & Service For:
• American Bosch • CAV
• Robert Bosch • Simms
• Roosa Master • RbtoMaster
• Airesearch
We Also Service:
• IHC • Caterpillar • Cummins
• Oeneral Motors injectors • Allis Chalmers
• Blowers, governors etc. • Bacharach Tools
Daily shipments by UPS. Parcel Post, or our
representative who is in area regularly.
Distributed by:
PFA has demanded a two
cent contribution rate as
required by its policy. AH of
the other involved parties
agreed to a one cent con
tribution by dealers.
The conflict within ag
circles has confused some
non-farm and farm
lawmakers, but Senate Ag
Committee Chairman
Patrick Stapleton has in
dicated he will entertain no
ammendments except
technical ammendments on
the bill as written, including
the one cent rate.
Look for action on SB 1287
next week.—CH