HBG is blowing up in the education arena!
EDUCATION
University plans campus
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
The University of Phoenix in May will open a Harrisburg-area campus at 4050 Crums Mill Road in Lower Paxton Twp.
Initially, the university will offer undergraduate degree programs in business management. Other programs will be added based on the demands of local students.
The university also has campuses in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Monroeville.
More information is available by calling (610) 989-0880 or online at phoenix.edu/harrisburg.
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And this goes to show just how archaic our laws can be, that this is even a discussion in 2006.
Palmyra-area merchants try to end dry era
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
BY MONICA VON DOBENECK AND BARBARA MILLER
Of Our Palmyra Bureau
PALMYRA - When the new Palmyra Area Business Association met for the first time recently, the hottest topic was drinking.
Palmyra and North Londonderry Twp. are "dry." Since the days of Prohibition, liquor sales have been outlawed in the two municipalities.
Many business people advocate a change because they say liquor licenses are key to attracting good restaurants, which could be a major step in revitalizing the town and perhaps luring tourists from neighboring Derry Twp.
Business people envision restaurants, maybe a T.G.I. Friday's or Ruby Tuesday, where residents and tourists could relax over dinner and a drink.
Some members hope to ask voters to make a change next spring.
Joan Smith is leading the effort in North Londonderry Twp., while Fred Carpenter, a member of the Palmyra Council, hopes to persuade enough of his borough's residents to support it.
"It's important not only for the restaurants but for the whole economic development of our town," Smith said. "It could draw new shops and tourists from the Hershey area. It would brighten up the town."
Doug Eiserman, owner of Palmyra Bowling, tried to change the law in North Londonderry in 1985. He collected more than 500 signatures, registered about 600 voters, but still lost by a 3-to-1 ratio.
The reason, he said, is that an off-year primary election brings out few voters, and most of them are senior citizens.
"It's very hard to get it passed. Young people don't vote in local elections," he said.
Palmyra's last referendum was in 1973. The Palmyra VFW circulated petitions several times, but couldn't generate enough interest to get a question on the ballot.
Councilman Richard Mazzocca said the effort has failed because older people equate changing the law with encouraging drinking.
However, Smith got some encouragement when she brought the idea to North Londonderry Twp. supervisors last week.
Ron Fouche, chairman of the board of supervisors, said he is not opposed to a change. But he said the supervisors cannot take part in circulating the petition.
Molly McGowan, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, said the question can be placed on the ballot only every four years and must be part of the primary in an odd-numbered year. Signatures would have to be gathered in February and March 2007.
"There's some room for a big, nice restaurant," Supervisor Barry Riegle said.
He said the township supervisors can set requirements for the type of establishments that could receive licenses.
While Palmyra has limited room for a large chain restaurant and the parking it would require, that is not the case in the township. Several large lots remain along Route 422.
Statewide, about 700 communities remain dry.
In the May 2001 primary, residents in 14 municipalities across the state were asked whether they wanted to approve at least limited sales. Nine voted yes.
The 1995 primary election was a turning point for several York County communities, including Carroll Twp. and Delta borough, which approved retail liquor sales. Dillsburg residents approved club licenses for veterans organizations and state liquor stores in the borough.
But voters in Dover borough turned thumbs down to alcohol.