Economics

While the object of writers is to present a point of view for consideration, there is a larger vision of stimulating rational and informed debate to clarify issues. This is especially important when we are dealing with such seminal thinkers as John M. Keynes. Tom Firey (" We are all faithful Keynesians now ”, Herald Mail, Aug. 17) is naïve to suppose that he can discredit Paul Krugman in one sentence and Keynesian thought in several paragraphs. Both Krugman and Keynes are too formidable to be downsized that easily.

While attending that little two room school house in Dargan back in the late 50s and 60s, I didn't concentrate too much on world economics. After all, I was a long way from Social Security and I didn't think there would be any left even if I did manage to live long enough to collect it. Gas was cheap and life was good. More recently, while I was making some rounds at a local nursing home the other day, I came across Lucy Boyer Davis, a quaint, witty and happy little lady who celebrates her 88th birthday the day after Armistice day. She has certainly seen a lot in her many years, lived through the great Depression and probably knows a thing or two about economics.

Congress has underfunded essential agencies To the editor: It amazes me that our members of Congress continue to speak boldly with such authority on and obvious ignorance of economics. They have ruined our finances with unnecessary wars and with discredited supply-side ("don't tax the rich") economics. They have underfunded essential government agencies and interfered with their operations, meanwhile declaring them to be incompetent. Their knowledge of management and employee morale undoubtedly is on a par with their ignorance of economics.

Frontier donates $5,000 SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - The Shepherd University Foundation received a $5,000 donation from Frontier Communications Corp. The check was presented to President Suzanne Shipley after a roundtable discussion Sept. 29 with Michael J. Copps, commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, and Maggie Wilderotter, Frontier chairman, president and CEO, at Shepherd's Center for Contemporary Arts. The donation supports scholarships available to students studying communications.

EMMITSBURG, Md. - Rebecca Oney, a native of Waynesboro, Pa., received a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and a Bachelor of Arts in French on Dec. 16 from Mount St. Mary's University. Oney was active in SIFE, Choral, Residence Life and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu while at Mount St. Mary's. Oney plans to attend law school next fall. Oney is a graduate of St. Maria Goretti High School in Hagerstown. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Oney. FAIRFAX, Va. - Matt Barnhart of Greencastle, Pa., a student at George Mason University, recently was recognized at the seventh annual James R. Beers Scholars dinner at the Mason Inn Conference Center.

MERCERSBURG, Pa. - The Mercersburg Area Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Tuscarora School District and teacher Lee Ann Witter-Keefer May 27 to provide "Mock Interviews" for the mandatory economics class taught to juniors. The program is an effort to expose students to real world scenarios. This year, 12 chamber members volunteered, including: Sen. Rich Alloway; Marti Statler, AFLAC; Tim Lachemann, DL Martin; Judy Boyd, Whitetail; Cheryl Shields, Waste Management; Rachel Sheaffer, Express Employment Professionals; Noel Purdy, GC Chamber Foundation; Larry Keefer, First National Bank of Mercersburg; Liz Weber, Weber Business Services; Jason Ellis, Tele Plus; Mark Swanger, F&M Trust; and Charlie Daniels, ACS Precision.

HCC Ray Johns, a retired economics professor who taught at Hagerstown Community College for 25 years, has been named to serve a three-year term on the board of trustees at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. In addition to his work at HCC, Johns spent time abroad as a Fulbright professor of economics in the Ukraine, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Moldova. He served as an associate professor of economics at Ashland University from 1972 to 1975. He holds degrees from Hagerstown Junior College, now Hagerstown Community College, and the University of Maryland, and served as a visiting fellow in the economics department at Yale University.

The new Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission lineup: - Timothy R. Troxell got his background in economic development at Allegheny Power, where he worked with some of the company's largest customers, and Perini Construction Inc., where he handled customer service, marketing and land development. Troxell said his primary role as assistant director of the EDC under Executive Director John C. Howard is working with existing businesses to make sure they're happy and help with their expansion needs.

March 12, 19 and 26 - Beginning Beekeeping course, Franklin County Beekeepers, Franklin County Extension Office, 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, Pa. Call 717-263-9226. March 14 and 21 - Backyard fruit tree workshop, hands-on pruning, and insect and disease identification and control, Fulton Center for Sustainable Living (Wilson College), 9 a.m. to noon. Call 717-263-9226 to register. March 16 - 4-H Pig Club reorganization meeting, Ag Heritage Center, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg 7:30 p.m. March 17 - Economics of conservation tillage workshop, Franklin County Conservation District, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 717-264-5499, ext. 104, to register.

The economic development goals accepted by Washington County officials Tuesday have been well-received and provide a workable framework for future growth, according to some community leaders reached for comment Wednesday. “We're grateful for the economic development commission for reaching out to us and other stakeholders in the community,” said Brien Poffenberger, president of the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce. The Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission's top priorities include an assessment of current infrastructure needs, workforce development, Hagerstown's City Center, a countywide marketing plan and leaving the EDC as the lead agency for economic development efforts within the county.

The Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission on Tuesday unveiled its top five strategic priorities for the future, highlighting the need for renewed emphasis on overall product development, better marketing and leaving the county-level agency's organizational structure alone. Accepted unanimously by the county's Board of Commissioners, the unranked priorities are preparing an infrastructure needs assessment report; workforce development needs; a focus on Hagerstown's City Center; developing a countywide marketing plan; and establishing the EDC as the lead organization to provide a more unified focus in economic development.

Terry Irwin has been hired as Washington County's project liaison for economic development projects, a county official announced Wednesday. Under the direction of Assistant County Administrator Sarah L. Sprecher, Irwin joins the county's Department of Public Relations and Community Affairs to serve as a point of contact during the submission, review and permitting phase of commercial projects, according to a news release from Public Relations and...

Mayor Daniel Murphy gave an encouraging report Tuesday night about business growth in town but asked county officials for help in bringing back another business and pitched an idea for a new library. Evolve Composites, which manufactures heating and air-conditioning condenser pads, Handi-Block lightweight deck piers and other products, has moved into the former Fleetwood building. Murphy said the company has been doing well and is expected to increase its work shifts. Also, local businessman Jerry Spessard has invented a device that automatically will call balls and strikes at home plate in baseball games and he plans to start manufacturing the devices in a building next to Evolve Composites, Murphy told the Washington County Board of Commissioners during a meeting at town hall.

This month marks the one-year anniversary of a much-ballyhooed new direction for the Washington County Economic Development Commission. It was in April 2012 that the Washington County Commissioners dismissed then-EDC chief Tim Troxell and announced that they were seeking a different direction that would focus on small business. The EDC board also initiated a Strategic Economic Development Plan that reported back this winter with a lengthy list of areas in need of improvement.

An economic impact study released Monday by the Maryland Aviation Administration ranked Hagerstown Regional Airport third out of 35 public-use airports in the state for 2012. Throughout the state, nearly 8,700 jobs can be traced to the aviation industry, creating personal wages of more than $442 million in the past year, the study shows. Additionally, more than $665 million in business revenue was generated, including approximately $222 million as a result of local purchases. Generating more than $109 million in business revenues and supporting a total of 1,338 aviation-related jobs, Hagerstown trailed only Martin State Airport ($224 million)

Some properties nixed for a tax abatement program in the Waynesboro area received a reprieve Wednesday as the Washington Township (Pa.) Supervisors took steps to restore their eligibility. The supervisors have been developing a list of properties eligible for benefits in a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement (LERTA) program. On March 18, they had whittled down the list, but started to restore it Wednesday. Properties such as Buchanan Lube Center, Red Run Grill and Blondie's restaurant and bar were added back onto the list.

Convincing the Washington County Board of Education to relocate downtown, attracting a four-year higher education institution and developing a theme for City Center were among recurring recommendations of Hagerstown officials Tuesday in a discussion of priorities for economic development. Along with eight other municipalities as well as private organizations and public entities in Washington County, the city was asked to list priorities for strategic economic development to the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission by the end of this month.

The future of a new tax abatement program in the Waynesboro area remains in limbo after several hours of discussion Monday. The Washington Township (Pa.) Supervisors held the first public hearing about a proposed Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement (LERTA) program. Washington Township is partnering with the Borough of Waynesboro, Quincy Township and the Waynesboro Area School District to develop the program. If a LERTA program is put in place locally, eligible industrial or commercial property owners could receive tax savings for 10 years after making improvements to their properties.