—— —- Last week was Farm Show week! And, the situation was typical — bad weather, crowds, congestion, parking problems and irritated tem:- pers. Yet, that’s not the entire story. Those who braved the weather, dared to jostle with the crowds, were patient with the congestion, were willing to walk or to struggle with the parking and were even-tempered enough to put up with the situation had a wonderful visit to the Farm Show. In Pennsylvania — at least in our part of the Commonwealth — the big winter attraction is “an institution® and if there were nothing else to see or do, having a baked potato would be worth the trip. However, the Farm Show as -institution” is in trouble! él an If You Would Write - - Would you like to write to your state or federal representatives in Har- risburg or Washington? Here are their addresses: FEDERAL Sen. Hugh D. Scott, Room 260, Sen- ate Office Building, Washington, D. C. 20515. Sen. Richard S. Schweiker, Room 4317, Senate Office Building, Washingion D. C. 20515. Rep. Edwin DI. Eshleman, 416 Cannon House Office Bldg, Washington, D. C 20515.. STATE Senator Richard A. Snyder, Box 21, State Senate, Harrisburg, Pa. 17120. Sen. Clarence F. Manbeck, Freder- icksburg R1, Pa. 17026. Rep. Harry H. Gring, Reinholds, Pa. 17569. Rep. Sherman L. Hill, 201 Manor Av., Millersville 17551. Rep. Jack B. Horner , 23-A S. Market St., Elizabethtown 17022. Rep. Marvin E. Miiler, 501 Valley Rd. Lancaster 17601. Rep. Harvey C. Ni‘rauer, 125 South Street, Myerstown, Pa., 17067. Rep. John C. Pittenger, N. West End Ave., Lancaster 17603. Or, Call the Mayor - MAYOR Henry R. Zerphey Call 653-2289 “Keeps Fogging Up" CONCERN FOR EARTH'S ENVIRONMENT ie ~ - ALS -.- This is not an editor's armchair opinion. This is a fact which most people realize and a fact which Com- monwealth officials already are try- ing to solve. From a public relations stand- point, the show is beginning to have a negative rather than a positive aspect. — Just mention “Farm Show” and someone in the crowd or two or more someones will say, in effect, “Not for me. It’s too crowded. Too much traf- fic” One young man who as a child en- joyed the show every year said to us last week, “Not for me. I've probably gone to the Farm Show my last time.” The major problem revolves a- round the location of the Farm Show and the fact that there must be park- ing areas and that the entire show is under one roof. Already there has been serious talk of relocating the building com- plex, perhaps somewhere in the gen- eral vicinity of the present site. That, we believe, would be a mis- take. \ A more reasonable approach would be to restvle the show completely, thinking big and looking toward an even larger kind of Farm Show. For instance if the annual event could be held in early September, it could be something of a fair—a semi- outdcor style sort of show. Permanent type pavilion buildings could be erected much cheaper than winter construction buildings which presently house the show. They could be set at a distance from each other providing space for tents, ex- hibitor stands and many many other kinds of outdoor attractions—includ- ing an entertainment midway. If, as has already been proposed, the show is relocated, it would be another horrible mistake to pick a site within an already congested area. A large tract, maybe 500 acres neads to be set aside for buildings, exhibits etc. and, for future growth. This tract should be very carefully selected with the finest possible ar- rangements on adequate highways for handling of thousands of autecs with maximum effeciency, including parking in many many lots through- out the grounds. (One of the present problem is that all parking must be north of the buildings.) A “fairweather” time of the year would, in itself, eliminate many of (Turn to page 3) The Mount Joy y BULLETIN MOUNT JOY, PENNA. 17552 Published Weekly on Wednesdays Except Fourth of July Week and Christmas Week (50 Issues Per Year) 11 EAST MAIN STREET, MOUNT JOY, PENNA. 17552 In the heart of fabulous Lancaster County Richard A. Rainbolt Editor and Publisher Subscription Rate—$3.00 per year by mail $3.50 Outside Lancaster County Advertising Rates upon request. Entered at the post office at Mount Joy, Penna., as second class mail under the Act of March 3, 1879. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1970 Others are saying --- FARM SHOW TIGHT ROPE It's going to take some as- tute tight rope walking by Lee Bull, the Pennsyivania secretary of agriculture, to keep Farm Show planning out of the -political arena. , At stake could be the very future of Farm Show itself. There's no doube how the Farm Show Committee feels. The 180-man advisory group went on record earlier this month in favor of relocating the Farm Show complex, lock, stock and exhibit hall, after hearing a report by the consulting firm of Porr, Loddengaard and Parsons. The new site would be one mile northeast of the present site. The problems facing Bull is how to sell the idea to General State Authority which must find a new use for the Farm Show buildings at McClay and Cameron if they are abandoned, as well as convincing State Secre- tary of Community Affairs Joseph W. Barr, Jr, who leans toward retaining the present site. Arguments for moving the complex are convincing en- ough. To hold present shows and exhibitors, ‘consultants conclude, the state must ex- pand building space from 650,000 to 1,500,000 square feet and paved parking from 1.2 to 10 million square feet. The present 125-acre site just can’t handle such an enlarged complex. Thus the state has the choice — reach across a- busy four -lane high- way for additional land or relocate the whole complex. Complicating planning is a proposed ‘Lifeline Highway” for the city of Harrisburg that would slice another 35 to 4() acres off the present site. The 293-acre site recom- mended by the firm is for the most part undeveloped land owned by the Harris- burg State Hospital. It bor- ders Interstate Highway 81 now under construction, mak- ing the proposed site highly accessible. The consultants noted that the Farm Show complex is an exhibition rather than a convention center. Thus the need to truck such ‘bulk items” as animals, farm equipment, and mobile homes in and out of the complex makes location at the edge of the city desirable. Biggest nay vote comes from the city of Harrisburg which fears the loss of the Farm Show complex to neighboring Susquehanna township will mean less rev- enue for its restaurants and hotels. What about costs to tax- payers — remodeling and expanding the present com- plex versus erecting new buildings on a larger site? This could be the most po- tent argument of all. Actually it’s about the same, it was noted at the committee meeting. This is due to the problem of work- ing around crowds and some 70 shows each year if the present site is retained. But Harrisburg is a Repub- lican stronghold. And con- trol of Capitol Hill is up for grabs next year. That's why the decision of Farm Show might depend on the mood of the politicians this win- ter . . . rather than strictly on the pros and cons. It could be a long, hard winter for Lee Bull. —Pennsylvania Farmer BY PAT BOONE Singer and Entertainer As I look back over the (Turn to page 3) CORNER = SY EEE Aut “At least | can see you from the back at breakfast this way [77 7 7A = |= Mc aft Pa Mark a.m, View patie Bo was and sided years of Fi died A was Air 1 was | Fire and Moos Sui dren: of J: and 10 g
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers