Local news in State College tends to be something of a seasonal affair.
It often follows the patterns of the academic year, dipping into a relative lull in the summer, then re-emerging dramatically in the fall before leveling off and easing up — somewhat — in the spring.
Even by our autumnal news standards here, though, this has become one remarkable fall.
Consider the headline-making mix just in the past several weeks: big-league hockey announcements, an anticipated vice-presidential visit, sparring matches over downtown redevelopment and the resignation of a State Theatre executive.
So where, pray tell, does a news columnist ever hope to begin?
Yeah.
Just for this week, I’m departing from the more traditional, narrative-column format to offer up some quick-hit cheers and jeers on the local scene. I’m hitting the highlights — and the low-lights — to try to make sure that no big news here goes unnoticed — or at least un-commented on.
CHEERS to the unseasonably warm weather last week. So it got a little uncomfortable. But it compelled Penn Staters to cut down on energy use as the university urged conservation. And while the reductions were only voluntary, it appears that they helped Penn State avoid mandatory power restrictions. Behold the power of restraint. Mother Nature thanks you.
JEERS to potential tuition increases of 4.9 percent next year at Penn State. Even louder JEERS to the possibility that the tuition increases next year could be higher than that. But the blame doesn’t rest entirely with Penn State; it also rests largely with Harrisburg, which has allowed higher-education funding to devolve for decades. Too many legislators seem to view higher education only as a private, personal good — not a public good.
CHEERS to Terrence M. and Kim Pegula. Their $88 million gift — the largest of its kind in Penn State’s history — will be pivotal in bringing Division I ice hockey to the university, including a new arena that will serve the community and help drive the local economy. Their generosity — also a help to their tax returns, no doubt — will leave a decades-long legacy. With luck, perhaps it’ll inspire other Penn Staters to show similar big-heartedness to the university. Here’s hoping that future eight-figure gifts will include as many scholarship endowments for the disadvantaged as they do bricks and mortar.
JEERS to prospects for a per-drink tax at local bars. The state League of Cities and Municipalities may soon push the new governor and the new state Legislature to give towns that taxation option. State College doesn’t need another tax. It needs Harrisburg to return — to State College — more of the millions of dollars in annual revenue that the capital extracts from our local liquor stores. Those stores fuel house parties, apartment parties and all levels of underage drinking.
CHEERS to the State Theatre in downtown State College. The nonprofit venue, 130 W. College Ave., has always faced a challenging road to financial stability. Even as it remains nearly $3 million in debt, though, its fiscal picture is steadily improving, according to theater treasurer Heather Pleskonko. Donations and operating are both up this year, she said. ‘I’m not worried about the future as long as we’re able to have community support.’
And while we’re on the State Theatre, an extra CHEERS to Mike Negra, who is resigning this month as its executive director. For his accessibility to the news media, Mike has always been a friend to the local press and to local journalism in general. Thanks, Mike.
JEERS to the state of redevelopment in downtown State College. Fraser Centre, the complex long anticipated for the northwest corner of South Fraser and West Beaver, seems to remain stalled. Same goes for a student-apartment building that HFL Corp. has proposed for the 200 block of East Beaver. One way or another, the borough has to strengthen its tax base — and soon — or else face substantial tax-rate increases, service cuts, deficit spending or a combination of all three. Both Fraser Centre plan and the HFL proposal would help grow the tax base, but they won’t do a bit of good until a shovel hits the dirt. Urgency, where are you?
CHEERS to Vice President Joe Biden’s planned visit Tuesday at the HUB-Robeson Center. Politics aside, a vice-presidential visit in any context is a big deal. At the least, it helps put Penn State and State College in the national spotlight for a day. All our woes aside, we still have plenty to be proud of here. Let’s tell the world — while the world is looking.
