Lancaster Watchdog

Appreciate the public engagement and feedback as we work through a design of a new correctional facility to replace the current 1850s era prison. We have had constructive feedback from across the community. If you want to stay up to date or provide feedback, you can do so here: lccf-pa.com/contact-2/

On this day in history, December 17, 1944, the Malmedy massacre occured during the Battle of the Bulge. Lancaster County legend Harold Billow was the last living survivor of the Malmedy massacre. The nazis did their best to kill him, but he survived and thrived. At nearly 100 years old Harold still had a great sense of humor. He was one of my favorite people. One of the neatest things I have had the honor to do as Commissioner was requesting a letter for him while at the White House and then later presenting the letter from the President to him to thank him on behalf of the nation. On December 17, 1944 Harold's unit was overrun and captured. They were lined up in a field. Then the machine guns opened fire. Harold played dead. Survivors were shot at close range. Harold stayed still and waited. When he and a few others got a chance, they made a run for it. They were pursued and shot. But he made his way back to American lines. One year later Harold married his British sweetheart - he joked he was captured by the Germans and then captured by the British. Harold grieved for the men who died that day. Every year he put out flags in his yard for each one of them. After Harold passed away, @RepSmucker helped get the Mount Joy Post Office named for Harold as a tribute to him and those he served with. Let us never forget them. Thank you Harold and all the others who helped save the world and keep us free.

This morning at our Board of Commissioners meeting, we voted to preserve another Lancaster County farm forever. This one was in Brecknock Township. The Lancaster Farmland Trust also partnered with County government in preserving this farm. This farm was approximately 73 acres. All told Lancaster County has preserved approximately 125,000 acres of farmland. We are not slowing down and intend to stay #1 in the nation for preserved farmland.