I’m still mixed in reaction to that place in Scranton. While I think our railroad heritage needed a showcase, there might have been some better places to select. Furthermore, even for someone of limited background on the subject (there are two types of trains – those on time and those which are late), I can pick out that most of the “artifacts” on site are Canadian and not American. Sort of hard to pitch the “American History” side of this without somehow making our brothers to the north an honorary 51st state.

But I must admit, when a visitor is allowed to walk inside a working train depot and repair yard, that’s hard to beat. Excellent interpretation in the museum. And the supporting movie was top notch.

From the Evening Sun:

Soon after news of Latschar’s new position became public last week, some in the local blogosphere began questioning whether his switch from the public to the private sector equated to a conflict of interest, however. One poster on http://www.boroughvent.com – a forum dedicated to the discussion of Gettysburg issues – linked the site to the Department of Interior’s online ethics
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policy.

Gene Golden, one of BoroughVent’s creators, questioned the ethics of Latschar taking a job – and likely a large salary hike – with an organization he was instrumental in establishing. “On the surface, it sure looks suspect,” Golden said. But Latschar said he sought the approval of ethics officials about three weeks ago, soon after he was approached by Gettysburg Foundation Board of Directors Chairman Robert Kinsley with an offer to take over current President Robert Wilburn’s job. Wilburn told the board of his decision to step down a few months ago.

A board search committee identified Latschar as its top pick to replace Wilburn. Latschar, who has served as superintendent at Gettysburg National Military Park since 1994, will succeed Wilburn beginning March 1. Latschar said Monday that, when he was offered the job, he was unsure about a possible conflict of interest after looking at the department’s post-employment restrictions and anticipated the response of ethics officials would prevent him from accepting the job. At first unsure about whether he wanted the job, Latschar said he then realized he’d be disappointed if he was denied the opportunity. “So then I really started thinking about it,” he said. Latschar said he was “pleased” to receive clearance from ethics officials.

http://www.eveningsun.com/ci_10955323

I don’t dispute a single one of John Hennessy’s words. Indeed, I have always acknowledged Latschar’s contributions to the park at Gettysburg. I have my own reasons to despise the man personally, but they actually don’t factor into my disgust at his engaging in a major conflict of interest at taxpayer expense.

I note that John’s comment did NOT address that issue. The conflict of interest is what bothers me. Irrespective of his contributions to the park, the conflict of interest is just plain wrong.

Eric