What I've learned and what I want to do

Well, its been an interesting week to say the least. From getting out to the polls, waiting for the results, accepting congratulations through e-mail, Facebook and in person, I'm still very humbled and wanting to thank those who voted for me and tell everyone how honored I am to represent our great town for the next four years

As I have promised, I will work in the best interests of all 10,300 people of our fine town and work hard to improve this town. I know there are plenty of issues expressed to me during the campaign, with two of the biggest being code enforcement and parking.

Going back a step, one of the most surprising phone calls I got since Tuesday was yesterday from County Commissioner Craig Lehman. I was very surprised and had a nice talk about with the commissioner.

So what have I learned this week. There is a lot of work to do. I also learned that a local businessman wants an ordinance governing Pawn Shops that have popped up in the borough. His business was ripped off, he said, by one of those Pawn Shops and hopefully that, the theft can be settled through the legal system. I did read somewhere that Pawn Shops were discussed at the committee level.

Also learned there was a meeting at Our Lady of the Angels School held last week to discuss plans to go from two school buildings – the former St. Peter's and Holy Trinity, down to one building, at the Holy Trinity building. Costs and a decline in enrollment are factors. Here's something for those involved, which was brought to my attention yesterday. Since it looks like the St. Peter's building might be the one vacant, why not donate it to the Community Life Network, so there could be a year round shelter for the homeless, which appears to be a growing problem in our town.

Other than that, I have talked with a number of people, setting up meetings, with elected leaders and others, to discuss what has been done, can be done and will be done. I got plenty of questions too and ideas, which I will keep everyone updated on through COLUMBIA TALK.

Feel free to talk to me anytime, give me your suggestions and ideas. Get into the habit of attending meetings and becoming involved.

One thing I will ask, in addition to asking questions, give me and the council some solutions of how to address different issues. It's the only way I know how we can improve things in Columbia.

Again, thanks for your vote and I will work hard for you.

Truck leased. police cars put on hold

After sitting through a public hearing on proposed changes to its zoning ordinance and related maps, borough council had just four items on its regular agenda that looked as though they could be rubber stamped.


However, the one issue that took up most of the discussion on the agenda was a proposal to approve a lease with the Wells Fargo Bank not to exceed $95,000 over a four-year period for a Ford F-350 Super Duty truck for the highway department and two new Ford Expedition police vehicles.

The motion was questioned by citizens and members of the borough council.

Vern Detz, a former member of the council, asked if all members of the council had reviewed the documents and bids that were reviewed recently by the council’s finance committee.

Council President Mary Wickenheiser said the lenders wouldn’t consider separate bids for the leases and the truck was needed immediately for use by the highway department.

Another former member of the council asked which vehicles would be replaced. The new truck would replace a 1993 truck and the two police vehicles would replace the two SUV vehicles.

Just as the council was prepared to vote on the motion, Mayor Leo Lutz threw a monkey wrench so to speak in the vote.

He said he wanted the purchase for the police department to be, an Expedition and a Dodge Charger and it would save about $6,000 on the lease agreement.

“Having four wheel drive vehicles wold not be beneficial to the department and not make policing easier,” Lutz said.

Lutz said he’d settle for one SUV and a car, a Crown Vic or a Charger.

“This was recommended out of committee that because of the condition of our roads and its intended use, we stick with what we proposed,” said Kelly Murphy, a member of the council.

“If we change, we have to go back to the banks and get new quotes,” he said.

“There is a need for this highway vehicle. With the police vehicles, there is no documentation as to the need. I am not in a position here tonight to vote on these police vehicles because there appears to be a conflict between the police and administration on this,” said Mary Barninger, council woman.

However, another member of the council, Sandy Duncan, didn’t see any problems because the items were budgeted.

“Right away,” Barninger said, “just because it is budgeted that is the justification.”

Another member of the council, Mike Buery, said the last time police vehicles were purchased, the department got their way.

“The police want another race car,” he said.

Lutz defended the move, saying that twice in his eight years as mayor, council failed to purchase or replace police cruisers on an yearly basis and ended up the following year making two purchases.

“Police vehicles are never an easy discussion for us,” Wickenheiser said.

The vote to lease all three vehicles failed by a 5-2 vote. A vote to lease just the truck passed 7-0.

Voting for the three vehicle lease were Duncan and Beury, while the remaining members voted against that lease.

The police vehicle lease will be reviewed at the committee level and could be voted on at the April meeting of the council.