Government

Hazel Taylor was sworn in Wednesday night as the new Lancaster City Council representative for District 5. She  was elected June 14 to fill the unexpired city council  term vacated by Mayor John Howard.

Lancaster County Council took the first step Monday night toward approving a 2 percent  hospitality tax. The first reading of the ordinance passed 5-2.
The tax would apply to all establishments that sell prepared meals and beverages located in the unincorporated areas of Lancaster County.
“Estimated revenue from the hospitality tax could be as high as $800,000 per year,” said County Administrator Steve Willis.  

Lancaster County Council reversed course on the Avondale development Monday night, voting to more forward with the project despite pleas from an overflowing chamber of red-shirted Indian Land residents.
But the council also is placing the proposed Ansley Park project back on the agenda for its June 27 meeting, to address neighbors’ concerns about a change in the plan that they fear will worsen traffic.
The Avondale ordinance will return to council for a second reading June 27. A public hearing will be held before the third and final reading.

U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney was cruising to an easy victory Tuesday night in the Republican Party primary.
Mulvaney, who is seeking his fourth term in Congress, beat political newcomer Ray Craig, who had come out swinging in the race.
“Most folks within the district are fairly comfortable with my voting record and representation,” Mulvaney said Tuesday night. “They might not agree with me 100 percent of the time, but they know I am working hard on their behalf.”