'Home' in York

Towson University film professor Brian Plow teaches in Maryland, but he lives in York. He followed the city's quest for a baseball stadium with more han casual interest. He became intrigued by a process that brought a major piece of urban redevelopment to the downtown, but with a price that 15 property owners were displaced using eminent domain. His curiousity eventually led to "Home," a documentary about the residents who lived in the neighborhood that was replaced by the stadium. Plow finished the film last year and had a screening in York in the fall. On Friday, the Capitol Theatre will host another screening, and Plow will be on hand to answer questions and participate in a panel discussion with Blanda Nace, Kim Bracey and Cameron Texter. The movie starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation; bring a canned good for the York County Food Bank.

The movie highlights several issues related to the work of YorkCounts, including the concentration of poverty and having a strong urban core. What do you think about how economic development happens in York?

- Dan Fink

A York mention in the Wall Street Journal

Here's the headline from an article today's Wall Street Journal:
Many Smaller Cities Dodge Crunch in Consumer Lending

The story looks at data from Equifax and Moody's related to mortgages and home-equity, credit-card, auto and student loans. York shows up at No. 8 in the accompanying chart of the cities where consumer loan balances have grown the most. The numbers suggest that big cities and rural areas have been hurt the most by tighter consumer lending, but mid-sized cities like York have done OK because of "more disciplined economic-development strategies in those cities, more diverse employment and lower costs." Those are all things that show up in the YorkCounts Indicators Report.

For the full story, click here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123837422461168013.html#mod=rss_Page_One

- Dan Fink

YDR takes closer look at Indicators

York Daily Record editor Jim McClure will take a look at some of the new YorkCounts indicators in a series of posts on his Town Square blog. His first post went up Saturday and deals with York County's tobacco use, tying it back to York County's history as a major cigar manufacturing area throughout the 19th century and into the early part of the 20th century.

Relaunching the YorkCounts blog

Hello, fans of YorkCounts.

The blog has been quiet since Beau Boughamer left in the fall, so there's lots of stuff going on that you might not have heard much about. I'll try to post once or twice a day with different things, usually with an eye on updates about YorkCounts' various projects or to talk up good government issues.

I'll use Twitter and Facebook to spread the word about YorkCounts, so keep an eye out for that.

Thanks for tuning in.
Dan

YorkCounts E-Newsletter - September 2008

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter
found on the blog at yorkcounts.org
September 2008

In this issue:

• Police study presentations continue
• Diversity countywide: a snapshot from the schools
• Foundation of the Year (and they’re blogging too!)

* * *

Police study presentations continue

YorkCounts teams visited Jackson Township and Dover Township in September as the YorkCounts Public Safety Committee continued to make the case for a regional public safety feasibility study.

Jackson Township’s Board of Supervisors and the commission that oversees the Northern York County Regional Police Department were the latest to hear from Committee co-chair Carl Anderson. Anderson and Meckley are seeking local government participation in a study – conducted by an independent consultant – to evaluate the merits of a multi-municipal, regional police department.

Ten presentations have been made so far by Meckley, Anderson or both, accompanied by YorkCounts staffers James DeBord and Beau Boughamer. Because the Northern York County Regional Police Department’s oversight body includes representatives from each of the NYCRPD’s eight participating municipalities, the number of communities reached by the study pitch has risen to 18.

West York Borough, the City of York and the three member municipalities of the Northeastern Regional police – Mount Wolf and Manchester boroughs and East Manchester Township – have agreed to take part in the study. Decisions are expected soon from Springettsbury Township and Spring Garden Township among other communities.

Each municipality is appointing someone to serve on the panel that will oversee the study.

Municipal elected officials or administrators with questions about the Public Safety Committee can reach YorkCounts Director James DeBord at 717/815-6436 or jdebord@ycp.edu.

* * *

Diversity countywide: a snapshot from the schools

YorkCounts expects to release its latest Indicators report next spring. Between now and then, an occasional series in the E-Newsletter will spotlight community data relating to York County.

From its beginnings nearly ten years ago, YorkCounts has been interested in diversity in York County – not only in fostering an environment in which diversity is respected and celebrated… but also in keeping tabs on just how diverse we are and how the community is changing.

Because information on diversity that is released between decennial Census reports is limited in scope, the best real-time way to see increasing diversity is in year-to-year population counts released by York County’s public school districts.

The chart below is reflective of how more diverse communities now can be found in virtually all corners of York County. (If you can’t see the chart in the e-mail E-Newsletter, try accessing the copy that’s on the web at http://yorkcounts.blogspot.com/2008/08/yorkcounts-e-newsletter-september-2008.html).

* * *

Foundation of the Year (and they’re blogging too!)

We congratulate the York County Community Foundation – a YorkCounts Partner – as it has been named the 2008 Foundation of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Central PA chapter. The award was announced earlier this month and will be given at a ceremony in Harrisburg on National Philanthropy Day, November 17.

YorkCounts Director James DeBord was pleased to be among those who nominated the York County Community Foundation. “With the guidance of a thoughtful and committed board and under Susan Barry’s able and innovative leadership, the York County Community Foundation has grown tremendously,” DeBord said.

“Of particular interest to YorkCounts is the YCCF’s role as a catalyst for regional improvement. Since YorkCounts’ inception, YCCF has been not only a financial supporter of the organization, but also an active, engaged partner in planning for a better York County.”

Also this month, the York County Community Foundation launched its first blog. In Barry’s first contribution to the blogosphere, she shares her thoughts on what fishing and philanthropy have in common. The “President’s Point of View” blog can be found at http://www.yccf.org/presidents_blog.asp.

* * *

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter is written by Beau Boughamer. Reach YorkCounts by mail c/o the Center for Community Engagement at York College of Pennsylvania, 605 South George Street, Suite 160, York, PA 17401, by telephone at 717/815-6430 or by e-mail at yorkcounts@gmail.com. Visit YorkCounts online at yorkcounts.org.

YorkCounts E-Newsletter - August 2008

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter
found on the blog at yorkcounts.org
August 2008

In this issue:

• Four more municipalities join public safety study committee
• Indicators winnowed to 40 by busy YorkCounts group
• From the Chairman: Thanking Reps. Mackereth and Nickol for their service
  

* * *

Four more municipalities join public safety study committee

Two boroughs, a township and the City of York signed on this month to be a part of a regional public safety feasibility study being promoted by YorkCounts.

Mount Wolf and Manchester boroughs, East Manchester Township and the City joined West York Borough – whose council voted in July to participate – in signaling that studying the idea of a regional police force is worth the time.

YorkCounts Public Safety Committee Co-Chairs Carl Anderson and Dave Meckley are visiting numerous municipalities this summer and fall, seeking local government participation in a study – conducted by an independent consultant – to evaluate the merits of a multi-municipal, regional police department. The ten-minute presentations outline what YorkCounts is, what the study would consist of, who would conduct it (probably PERF – the Police Executive Research Forum), how much it would cost and what a timetable looks like.

Besides those municipalities that have opted in, presentations were made to Spring Garden Township and Springettsbury Township (in July) as well as North York and Red Lion boroughs and York and Windsor townships (in August).

Each municipality is appointing someone to serve on the panel that will oversee the study.

Public opinion has been seen as supportive. About 81 percent of those responding to a poll in late May said they would favor such research if regional policing would result in more efficient service or future cost avoidance.

A presentation that had been scheduled for Dallastown Borough was postponed because the borough council meeting was cancelled. At least two presentations are scheduled for September: one in Jackson Township and one before the body that oversees the Northern York County Regional Police Department.

Municipal elected officials or administrators with questions about the Public Safety Committee can reach YorkCounts Director James DeBord at 717/815-6436 or jdebord@ycp.edu.

* * *

Indicators winnowed to 40 by busy YorkCounts group

The volunteer Committee of content area experts reshaping YorkCounts’ “Indicators” reporting has completed the first phase of its work, settling on 40 measurements aimed at assessing York County’s quality of life.

“We’re really pleased at the progress we’ve made so far,” said Indicators Committee Chairman Bob Woods. “The new list is grounded in reflecting the original interests of the hundreds of volunteers who participated in the first Indicators process in 2001, but it is improved with new information that did not exist at that time.”

The Indicators are a collection of data related to community, the economy, education, health and environment, public safety and housing and land use. The first slate featured 57 measurements; a 2006 update was slimmer because up-to-date data could not be found. With that in mind, the new Indicators Committee emphasized availability and reliability as criteria for inclusion.

“A lot of places are going through the same thing with their respective Indicators efforts as York County is right now,” said YorkCounts Director James DeBord. “We know more now than we did in 2001 about how statistics are updated and how these reports are used. Plus, so much more is being measured by institutions such as the U.S. Census Bureau. We would be remiss by not including data that will help us better understand our own community.”

Woods thanked members of the Committee, including Aeman Bashir, Felicia Dell, Beth Gill-MacDonald, Thomas Hensley, Vicki Klinedinst, Ellie Lamison, Joanne Riley and Robin Rohrbaugh. The group will take September off while YorkCounts staffers conduct research on each of the 40 Indicators. They’ll meet again in October to finalize a report to the YorkCounts Board of Directors, and the expectation is that the new report to the public will be released at the 2009 YorkCounts Summit next March or April.

* * *

From the Chairman: Thanking Reps. Mackereth and Nickol for their service
by Eric Menzer

On behalf of the nearly two dozen people from across York County who comprise the Board of YorkCounts, I would like to offer our best wishes to State Representatives Bev Mackereth and Steve Nickol on their recent decisions to leave the Legislature – Rep. Nickol to retire and Rep. Mackereth to join York County government this December. These two strong advocates for our area are applauded for their tireless service and trademark emphasis on working together with other legislators and with organizations in the community toward finding solutions.

Both Rep. Mackereth and Rep. Nickol have supported YorkCounts. Rep. Nickol has a widely known and deserved reputation as one of the sharpest minds in Pennsylvania government and has always been willing to lend his policy expertise to our discussions. And whether it was her continual commitment to meet with YorkCounts volunteers or her ability to deliver funding for the first-ever York County education costing-out study, Rep. Mackereth has been a true public servant.

We hope that the individuals who are chosen by the voters to replace these two will demonstrate the same willingness to work across lines - whether geographic, political or philosophical – toward making our community a better place.

Bev and Steve are wished all the best.

(A version of this letter appeared in the August 9, 2008 York Daily Record.)

* * *

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter is written by Beau Boughamer. Reach YorkCounts by mail c/o the Center for Community Engagement at York College of Pennsylvania, 605 South George Street, Suite 160, York, PA 17401, by telephone at 717/815-6430 or by e-mail at yorkcounts@gmail.com. Visit YorkCounts online at yorkcounts.org.

YorkCounts E-Newsletter - July 2008

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter
found on the blog at yorkcounts.org
July 2008

In this issue:

• Introducing the Stay in School Initiative
• First municipality signs up for public safety study
• “What is YorkCounts?”

* * *

Introducing the Stay in School Initiative
by Christy Renjilian
United Way of York County



The Stay in School Initiative Committee is addressing Metro York’s third Education recommendation – specifically, the high rate of high school dropouts in York County.

Approximately thirty community leaders are serving on the Committee, which is being chaired by two YorkCounts Board members: Don Gogniat, the former Penn State York Campus Executive Officer, and Robert Woods, Executive Director of the United Way of York County. Members include representatives from county school districts, human services, higher education, social service organizations, business leaders and legislators.

The purpose of the Stay in School Committee is to create a system that provides an infrastructure for ongoing implementation and sustainability of proven practices in reducing dropout rates at area high schools. The Committee will gather data, conduct a causal analysis, review relevant school policies, and research proven programs that will meet the various needs of students in York County.

To assist the Committee in its understanding of the data, Deborah Rodrigues, Educational Statistics Supervisor-Division of Data Services for the PA Department of Education, presented the group with information on the methods for calculation of high school dropout rates and graduation rates. The dropout rate calculates the number of students who no longer attend school and is a one year snapshot of a particular school. The graduation rate reflects the percentage of students at a given school that are enrolled in ninth grade and graduate four years later. It tracks a particular cohort over a four year time period. This data will be used by the committee to assess the severity of the problem in York County. The data will also be used to measure the effectiveness of the recommended strategies.

The Committee also reviewed a study – The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts – conducted for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The findings will be used to assist the Committee in determining what types of programs will be most effective in preventing students from dropping out of school. It will be used as a comparison to York County’s causal analysis.

As part of the causal analysis, the Committee will interview school personnel, including superintendents, principals, guidance counselors and teachers. It will also conduct focus groups with parents, students who have dropped out, students who have returned to school, and community leaders. The identified causes of dropping out of high school will guide the types of strategies selected to address the problem.

The final phase of the research will involve reviewing local, state and national programs that are proven to be effective in preventing high school dropouts.

The recommended strategies will be forwarded to YorkCounts in June, 2009 with expected implementation beginning in August 2009.

“YorkCounts, as an organization, is thrilled that Don Gogniat and Bob Woods have taken the lead to co-chair this group, and we’re grateful to the many volunteers who are beginning to undertake this serious work,” said Eric Menzer, Chairman of the YorkCounts Board. “I think this kind of approach is exactly what we were hoping for when we announced the eight Metro-York recommendations last year.”

* * *

First municipality signs up for public safety study

The Borough of West York voted in July to take part in a public safety feasibility study being proposed by YorkCounts. The decision was a highlight of the first month of a municipality-by-municipality presentation of the idea. York City Council is poised to opt in as well, having unanimously approved of taking part by way of an informal voice vote.

YorkCounts Public Safety Committee Co-Chairs Carl Anderson and Dave Meckley are visiting numerous municipalities this summer and fall, seeking local government participation in a study – conducted by an independent consultant – to evaluate the merits of a multi-municipal, regional police department.

Presentations were also made this month before boards in Spring Garden Township and Springettsbury Township and before the commission that oversees the Northeastern Regional Police Department (serving Manchester and Mount Wolf boroughs and East Manchester Township). In each case, the respective boards indicated that they and their staffs would discuss the study idea and make a decision soon.

“That’s the initial outcome we expect,” said Meckley. “We are definitely thrilled about West York and the City of York, but we also respect the interest on the part of other boards in coming to an informed decision.”

During the ten-minute presentations, Meckley, Anderson or both are outlining what YorkCounts is, what the study would consist of, who would conduct it (PERF – the Police Executive Research Forum), how much it would cost and what a timetable looks like.

The initiative continued in July to draw press attention. The York Dispatch noted that Spring Garden Township commissioners “said they will make a decision in the coming weeks about participating in a study.”

“It’s important to remember that we’re not asking these municipal boards and councils to endorse consolidation,” Anderson said. “The conclusions they reach after a study would and should be up to them. But a lot of folks agree with us that if we can do the study largely or entirely through state funding, we ought to.”

Public opinion data suggest that York countians are very interested in the idea of a study. About 81 percent of those responding to a late May poll expressed support for research into whether a regional approach might produce more efficient service or head off future cost increases.

Municipal elected officials or administrators with questions about the Public Safety Committee can reach DeBord at 717/815-6436 or jdebord@ycp.edu.

* * *

“What is YorkCounts?”

Frequently outside the YorkCounts family of volunteers – and sometimes inside it – the question is asked, “What is YorkCounts?” This spring and summer, the YorkCounts Communications Committee – led by Chairwoman Maria Royce – worked to review and improve the way we answer that question.

The result was a document approved by the YorkCounts Board in June that describes what YorkCounts is and what it does. The one-sentence description adopted by the Committee and the Board was, “YorkCounts is York County’s community-based, nonpartisan quality-of-life coalition.”

“Our hope is two-fold. First, we hope that Board members, committee members and others within YorkCounts will be well equipped to talk about the role of YorkCounts in our community. Second, we want those who are learning about YorkCounts for the first time to have a clear idea of the organization’s mission,” said YorkCounts Director James DeBord.

“Maria did a great job and so did the Communications Committee,” DeBord said. The Committee’s other members are Rick Ayers, Gordon Freireich, Louise Heine, Nadine Hubner and Carolyn Steinhauser.

The Committee identified eight characteristics of the organization. YorkCounts:

• is a catalyst for change toward improving the quality of life in York County.
• needs and wants community involvement in order to succeed.
• spurs existing organizations into action and implements uniquely regional solutions.
• fosters inquiry and ongoing dialogue to inform action and involvement.
• uses planning, to be meaningful… and measuring of outcomes, to be accountable.
• inspires community and individual participation via institutions, organizations and groups.
• broadens the circle of activity through education.
• acts with courage: no problem or issue is too complex or politically charged to address.

The Committee also described three primary organizational goals.

• Shine a spotlight: YorkCounts seeks to draw attention to challenges and inspire the collaborators, solutions and resources needed to begin to address them.
  
• Engage and act: Building alliances and introducing partners; taking the lead when a uniquely regional solution is called for.
  
• Measure: As YorkCounts builds a clearinghouse of community information, we will review the goals we have set and trace the progress of our efforts.

Royce says the YorkCounts “tag line” – “Count me in!” – is reflective of all of these themes.

For a copy of this document, contact Beau Boughamer at 717/815-6430 or dbougham@ycp.edu.

* * *

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter is written by Beau Boughamer. Reach YorkCounts by mail c/o the Center for Community Engagement at York College of Pennsylvania, 605 South George Street, Suite 160, York, PA 17401, by telephone at 717/815-6430 or by e-mail at yorkcounts@gmail.com. Visit YorkCounts online at yorkcounts.org.