Columbia Masonic Lodge to recognize Columbia High School Graduate

Graduate Jimmy Lee with be receiving from the Columbia Lodge a scholarship in the amount of $1000 which will be presented to him June 24 at Fairview Park. This scholarship is made possible by the Craftsmen’s Club, an affiliate of the Columbia Masonic Lodge

The recipient of this scholarship must carry at least a 3.2 GPA, have no school violations and show a high level of respect for other students and teachers.

Weekly Columbia Police reports

CORRY M. PHILLIPS, 32, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED, AT THIRD. AND LOCUST STREET, AT 8:45

A.M., JUNE 2.

WILLIAM JACKSON, III, 38, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 400 BLOCK OF UNION STREET, AT 8:13 A.M., JUNE 4.

CHARLES E. MONTAGUE, 45, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS IN THE 800 BLOCK OF WALNUT STREET, AT 1:20 A.M., MAY 29.

BOOKER T. JOHNSON, III, 42, OF ARKANSAS, WAS CITED FOR UNLAWFUL ACTIVIES, DUE TO HAVING TIRES AND WHEELS, THAT WERE NOT IN SAFE CONDITION, AT ROUTE 441 AND ROUTE 30, AT 3:10 P.M., JUNE 6.

EILEEN P. SOSA, 53, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, AT THIRD AND LOCUST STREETS, AT 10:15 P.M., JUNE 4.

JEFFREY A. LANTZ, 35, OF DOVER, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS AND YIELD SIGNS AND FOR CARELESS DRIVING, IN THE 300 AND 400 BLOCKS OF UNION STREET, AT 2:20 A.M., JUNE 6.

AMY R. GUDKNECHT, 33, OF WRIGHTSVILLE, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS & YIELD SIGNS AND FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED, AT ROUTE 30 AND LINDEN STREET, AT 8:25 A.M., JUNE 7.
.
PAUL ANTHONY LONESKY, 39, OF ELIZABETHTOWN, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT ROUTE 30 AND ROUTE 441, AT 5:11 A.M., JUNE 7.

JASON A. CARR, 34, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, ON NORTH THIRD. STREET AND LINDEN STREET, AT 8:09 A.M., JUNE 8.

JOSE A. QUILES, 35, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, IN THE 500 BLOCK OF UNION STREET,  AT 10:06 A.M., JUNE 10.

LOGAN M. STARK, 21, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, IN THE 500 BLOCK OF LOCUST STREET, AT 2:02 A.M., JUNE 12.

AERIEL DENISE ETTER, 18, OF HELLAM, WAS CITED FOR REQUIRED FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; UNAUTHORIZED TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION; AND FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED, AT FOURTH. AND CHESTNUT STREETS,  AT 1:58 A.M., JUNE 11.

 LEO F. MCMASTER, 74, OF GETTYSBURG, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM AXLE WEIGHT OF VEHICLES, AT ROUTE 441 AND LINDEN STREET, AT 1:38 A.M., JUNE 14.

JEFFREY L. PAULES, JR., 23, OF HIGHSPIRE, WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS AND FOR CARELESS DRIVING, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF SOUTH THIRD. STREET, AT 1:36 A.M., JUNE 14.

Two things to watch for today

For those in and around our town today, here are a couple of things to watch for.today.
The Pennsylvania Hero Walk will be in the Mountville area around 11 a.m. and Columbia abourt an hour later on Route 462. For more information: http://www.paherowalk,org/

The second thing to watch will be a bus tour through Columbia, Marietta and Wrightsville, as part of a mobile workshop, part of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, which is meeting in Lancaster.

Police to get two new vehicles

After a lengthy debate, Columbia Borough Council approved the purchase of two new vehicles for the police department.


In a debate that first surfaced back in March, council approved its original motion two purchase two 2010 Expeditions for the department. The purchases were originally on the agenda back in March, but were sent back through the committee process when late information was received on the need and use of the two SUVs in the borough,

The discussion on the purchase of the two vehicles was started by Councilmen Mike Beury, who explained his feelings about the four-month old debate. In March, the council was trying to tie the purchase of the new police vehicles in with the purchase of a ruck for the highway department.

That vehicle was purchased, which had the vehicles been purchased in March, would have resulted in a $6,000 savings for the borough.

“Then the mayor comes in and threatens council, saying if they got two Expeditions, they would not use them,” Beury said, adding he didn’t purchase then and won’t now.

Kelly Murphy, chairman of council’s finance committee said he went to see the three vehicles the borough was considering for purchase – an Expedition, a Charger and a Crown Victoria.

“The department is in need of two vehicles, but, the Charger is not a pursuit vehicle,” Murphy said.

Another council member, Mary Barninger, also investigated the three vehicles, by talking with two departments in other areas. Barninger said the borough was told the Crown Vics were very high maintenance.

“We were told they are not suited because of the high maintenance. Bit it was just with the brakes and you’ll get that with any vehicle. There was no true epidemic other than the brakes,” she said.

She said that departments who purchased the chargers are regretting the purchases because they were too small and had a limited use. “Going with the charger is not a wise decision,” she said.

Mayor Leo Lutz explained how the borough goes about purchasing police cars on a two-year cycle.

“The number one job of a municipality is to provide safety and having the ability to get around. We need vehicles that are going to hold up,” Lutz said.

“The four-wheel vehicles are difficult to get around,” the mayor said.

It was Norm Meiskey, borough manager, who made the big push for the SUVs.

“I’ve been involved with the purchase of police vehicles since 1985 and you need to have the ability to get around 24/7. The SUVs are more safer than rear wheel or front wheel drive vehicles,” Meiskey said,

“With the smaller cars and the condition of the streets and gutters, they will be bouncing off the undercarriages. I’m just throwing my two cents,” Meiskey said.

Added Murphy, “we need to have the capabilities of four-wheel drive (currently the department has two Tahoes). I don’t see why we can’t stay with that.”

The vote to purchase an Expedition and a Charger failed by a 7-0 vote.

A second motion to purchase an Expedition and Crown Vic failed because of the lack of a second.

The third motion to purchase two Expeditions passed by a 6-1 motion with Barninger voted against the purchase.

Following the discussion, former council member Frank Doutrich responded to the vote by saying, “who cares what they (police) drive. If they don’t like it, tell them there’s West Hempfield.”

I had a plan, but....

I was so excited today, going to get a chance to blog live on COLUMBIA TALK from tonight's meeting of Columbia Borough Council.
Had it all set up and it was working. What I didn't expect were computer issues. For some reason, I was unable to do automatic updates and about halfway through the two hour or so meeting, I gave up.
When I got home, the problems still existed and after doing all the normal, easy repairs, still had problems.
So I called Comcast and after getting placed on hold for a long amount of time and after pressing the ones and twos, I was guided to a person.
Well, more headaches. The person on the other end was having trouble solving my issue. Thet threw their hands up and gave me another number to call. Well, long story short, as I was closing things out, preparing to make the second call and probably having to press the 1s and 2s, whatever Comcast did worked and I was back on line.
Although the meeting last a little more than two hours, there weren't a lot of issues. Some of those I thought were going to speak, were no shows. The cabin owners from along the Susquehanna were present and I think wanted to speak, but didn't understand the protocal.
One issue that I will focus on, which tied up the meeting and took several votes to decide the outcome was the purchase of new two vehicles for the police department. Only two citizens spoke and it got briefly hot during the one.
I will have more on the council meeting Tuesday. I will say and not to toot my own horn, but the daily paper did have someone attend the meeting. As always happens, this person showed up late and left after being there for less than an hour. So, to boast a little, COLUMBIA TALK, most likely will be the only placce where you can read all about Monday's meeting.

Didn't work out as planned

Need to apoloize to everyone. Had issues with the computer and ended up after about 45 minutes clearing it up with Comcast. Will be posting something from meeting tonight yet or tomorrow morning. Meeeting went a little more than 2 hours. Discussion on new police vehicles was the highlight. Just 2 citizens spoke, one from 7:08 and until all his questions were answered it was 7:45. Police car discussion took at least 30 minutes. Boys in blue, ya getting two expeditions.

Meeting is almost over. Big issue is purchase of police cars. Debate was more than 30 minutes.

Things not going well with computer its updating. Sorry.

More information on car found in river

More information on the car that was pulled from the Susquehanna is here. http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/259630

Borough Council meeting live

If this works, here is the link to tonight's borough council meeting. Hope to be set up by 6:45 p.m.

Water rescue

There was a waer rescue this morning at River Park when an unattended car was found in the water neat the end of Walnut Street.
Here is the link: http://columbiapa17512.blogspot.com/2010/06/blog-post.html

Columbia No.1 also responded early this morning to a rescue in Conoy Township. Here is that link: http://columbiafire.com/

Artwork

Saw this Artwork yesterday while traveling up to the Native American Pow-Wow on the Kleen-Rite property.

Sunday's Is This What We Want?

These are two properties in the first block of South Fourth Streeet, which are vacant and nothing being done with then. One was Columbia's only vaccum cleaner repair store and the other was a law office.

Saturday: Is This What We Want?

Is This What We Want ventures today to the heart of our downtown for this problem structure along Route 462 near the town square. This property has long been a thorn in the borough's side and has been vacant for a long time as well and is in need of work.

Chickens, chickens and more chickens

The Columbia wrestling team held a fund-raising chicken barbecue on the lot of Scott's Automotive, 12th street and Lancaster Avenue, today.

Smith's win

The Smith's Hotel baseball team in the Susquehanna League beat Hellam yesterday, 7-6. Here is the link: http://www.ydr.com/ci_15286731

Pow Wow at CCFD

 The Native American Pow Wow is under way at the Columbia Consolidated Fire Department at 10th and Mifflin streets. It will continue through tomorrow.

Friday's talking points

Just a few observations from this week in our town:
* Yesterday and today, were the first two days of extended hours (till 7 on Thursday and 6 on Friday) at the COLUMBIA MARKET HOUSE. Was told it wasn't real busy last night wth the extra hours. That one might take some time.
* Speaking of the MARKET, there will be two people interviewed by borough tomorrow for the position of market manager. Here are some ideas -- look to cut back to one day; get some weekend events in there; stop the politics; get more stand holders and make an effort to get one longtime stand holder back, who left today. And also, don't require the stand holders to be there both days. Might be surprised you could get more stands.
* More advice for dowtown and one for the market -- kick out the "Freddy the Freeloaders," who are taking up table space and not buying anything. They give our town a great image and the same goes for those downtown and the borough itself, who allow the FTF's" to "reside" on their property. Really looks great, especially when I'm told two of the FTF's were sitting on a local stoop and drinking alcoholic beverages.
I know of at least one down establishment that won't allow the FTF's to sit outside unless they buy something and the FTF's are upset by it. Give me a break!
* Saw yesterday and today, one in town on the main drag and another in the east end where roofs were being put on buildings without visible or any building permits.
* And finally, is it 30 days or three months, that when people move to a new state that they have to change their vehicle registration over to Pennsylvania. I know of three vehicles of out of state license plates, who have been residents of our town and state for more than three months. One is Delaware, one is Mayland and other is Kentucky.

Weekend event reminder

There are a number of weekend events in Columbia...

* Through tomorrow, the Holy Trinity Festival will be held in the 400 block of Cherry Street.
* Tomorrow and Sunday, there will be a Native American Pow-Wow at the Columbia Consolidated Fire Departent, 10th and Mifflin streets.
* Tomorrow, across from Glatfelter Field, the Columbia wrestling team will hold a chicken bar-be-cue.
* Sunday from 1-4 p.m., at Golden Stories, formerly A Taste of Styles, there will be a retirement party for longtime CHS teacher Jean Phiel. It's a drop-in, open to former and current students and others.

Don't forget, Monday there is a borough council meeting at 7 p.m.
Next week, the Cruisin Columbia Car Show will be held, along with the SVCC's Cupcake Contest. For more information, call 684-5249.

Smith's wins slugfest

There were 29 runs scored in one Susquehanna League game last night as Columbia outscored East Prospect, 18-11. http://www.ydr.com/ci_15274027

RIP John Murphy

The borough of Columbia said good bye yesterday to John Murphy Sr., longtime chief of the Columbia Fire Police, who was also the borough's first EMT. A long funeral procession made its way through Columbia yesterday, ending at St. Peter's Cemetery on Klinesville Road. Murphy died Sunday after a brief illness.

Fire update

A State Police fire marshall is investigating the cause of a fire in a vacant house at 116 North Sixth St., yesterday afternoon at 4:17 p.m.
Firemen all three Columbia fire departments, along with firefighters from Wrightsville and East Donegal-Maytown battled the blaze, which was brought quickly uner control at 4:36 p.m. When firemen arrived, there was a well involved kitchen fire that extended into the dining roomn area.
The good news is that the fire was contained to the original building and did not spread to three adjoining structures.

Remember the day....

The kids are out of school and back in the day, it met spending the mornings at the local playgrounds such as Manor Street, Janson's, Makle and Rotary. Going home for lunch and either going back in the afternoon or heading to the pool. Those were the days! Pictured is the old backstop at Rotary Park.

Friday's Is This What We Want?

This is at Fifth and Union streets -- door looks like it had an axe or something taken to it and towels are hanging out windows.

Rap's World done "rappin"

As of 2 p.m. this afternoon, Rap's World rang the bell for the last time at the Columbia Market House. One of the original stand holders from when the market first reopened five years ago, Tim Btown and his family are leaving the market because of the politics. Apparently since January, six stands have left the market.