Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Convention center an asset

To the Editors,

I have been a cheerleader for the Lancaster County Convention Center since day one. The stronger Lancaster -- our county seat -- is, the stronger our entire county is. The recent article sounding a potential alarm for the convention center's future is very disturbing.

Several months ago, I wrote in support of the additional hotel tax increase to help ease the center's debt issue. I wrote: No visitors are going to cancel their visit or decide not to visit because of a 5 percent room tax. Most travelers don't have a clue about room taxes until they look at their checkout bill.

I would like to offer two ideas to enhance the county convention center:

·Invite municipalities from around the county to "adopt" the meeting rooms -- "The Manheim Room" for example. That municipality could display photos of the town and promote itself. In doing so, the county becomes more involved in the center.

·The hallways can be filled with Lancaster County heroes, past and present, men and women who are known for their achievements in our nation and in the world. The center should be brag to guests about our heroes.

Both ideas can help residents throughout the county realize the center belongs to all of us.

The convention center is a gem -- please, citizens and leaders, let's keep polishing that gem.

Dennis Denenberg

Manheim Township