Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Eastern also seeking basketball coach

This is not a surprise: http://www.gametimepa.com/ci_17941559

River cabin purchase moves forward

By a 6-1 vote, Columbia Borough Council moved forward with the proposed sale of the cabin area along the Susquehanna River to the River Cottage Owners Association.
The sale, which was first proposed late last summer, will net the borough an undisclosed amount of money, believed to be $350,000, that will be used for infrastructure improvements.
The borough, who was gifted the land from the Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation, will use the Columbia Economic Development Corporation, as the middle man in the proposed sale. This is similar to the approach used when the borough sold the property at Third and Linden streets, which will become the Turkey Hill Experience late this summer.
Council vice-president Mary Barninger expressed concern on any potential financial impacts the transaction will have on the borough. She didn't the borough to get into the real estate business again. Borough Manager Norm Meiskey explained the impact would be minimal.
Resident Frank Doutrich, under citizen comments, questioned the deal and wanted to know about any hidden costs. He was given a copy of the two documents approved last night.
Voting for the two motions to accept the gift of the land and then to proceed to sell it were Barninger, Mike Beury, Jim Smith, Mary Wickenheiser, Sandy Duncan and Renae Sears. Voting against the motions was Kelly Murphy, who explained his "no" vote.
Murphy said it had to do when he first moved to Columbia back in  2002 and he and his wife were walking around the cabin area and were told to get "off private priperty."
He also said the borough should have explored other opportunities for the area.
"It was a tough decision for me, but 10,000 residents of this community would love to have an opportunity like this. There wasn't enough thought given to this process and I know my position is unpopular," Murphy said.
After the vote, Doutrich also questioned Smith's vote as a potential conflict of interest. Smith is a board member of the CEDC. Solicitor Barry Handwerger said there was no ethics violation.

Market board is approved

At last night's special council meeting, the previously appointed board members of the Market House Trust were appointed to their terms:
Three Year: Ann Grubb, Nancy Jo Lutz and Don Haines.
Two Year: Ed Schopf and Rebecca Murphy.
One Year: David Rupp and Elaine Beckley.

Two are charged

After incident that started in Columbia: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/381697

Hempfield approves fees

From tthis morning's Intell/New Era: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/381445

Donegal chooses new leader

From this morning's Intell/New Era: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/381444

Parking meter questions in Marietta

From this morning's Intell/New Era: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/381450

District Three softball power raitings

As of Sunday: http://tripletdad33.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/softball-aa.pdf

Additional wrestling changes

In addition to weight changes, here are other wrestling changes: http://tripletdad33.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/nfhs-wrestling-press-release-2011-12.pdf

Columbia to celebrate Arbor Day

River Park will host this year's Arbor Day celebration: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=50066

Earth Day at Sahd's

The fifth annual free celebration of Earth Day will be held at Sahd Salvage, 1045 Lancaster Ave., Columbia, on Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The family-friendly event will showcase dozens of local organizations and their green innovations.


Those attending will have an opportunity to earn money by recycling aluminum cans. Everyone who brings aluminum cans to Sahd Salvage during the event will be given a special Earth Day price for the cans and will be entered into a random drawing for a $50 prize. In addition, the individual or organization that brings in the most cans will receive a $100 prize. There will also be a free opportunity to recycle metals, cardboard, glossy mail, and a two bag/box maximum of paper and secure documents to be shredded.

Children may enroll in the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Passport program, in which they will play games and answer environment-related trivia questions at vendor booths. Children who complete the booklet will receive a free treat.

The event will also feature a Kids Activity Center with environmentally themed crafts, face painting, and an Earth Day themed story time. In addition, there will be an opportunity to compete in a recycled fitness course. Everyone is also invited to witness the Columbia and Reading Railroad locomotive. Tours of the recycling facility will take place at 9:45, 10:45, and 11:45 a.m.

More than 25 local businesses and community organizations will participate in the event, which is the most ever. Organizations representing all forms of environmental protection will be on display. Attendees will be given the opportunity to melt metal and create pendants from molds, sculpt "Earth Clay," and view green-friendly go-karts and innovative vehicles. There will be hands-on exhibits focusing on wind, solar, and geothermal energy; styrofoam recycling; and many other green activities.

An antiques and collectibles sale, which will be new to the event this year, will benefit Kenyan missions. An area radio station will broadcast its Kids Cookie Break Show live. Food from various businesses and vendors and bake sale items will be available to benefit the Columbia Food Bank. For more information, readers may call 684-8506 or visit recycleyourmetal.com.