Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Greenya to retire; Brommer named interim chief
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| Jack Brommer when he was hired in 1997 |
Greenya, who joined the police force in June 1974, has served as police chief since July 12, 1996 In 1980, Greenya was promoted from patrolman to sergeant and in 1996 was named detective sergeant.
Brommer, who attended the meeting, will celebrate his 15th anniversary as an officer in January, has been a sergeant for the last six years. He is the senior member of the force.
As a result of the promotion, Sgt. Brommer will receive a five percent increase in his base pay.
“Jack is an excellent officer,” said Mayor Leo Lutz.
Lutz said as soon as possible, Brommer will be removed from shift work to begin the transition.
“We are very pleased to see that Jack has agreed to accept this,”the mayor said.
Councilman Jim Smith, a former member of the borough's Civil Service Commission, hopes that Sgt. Brommer, will be able to change the force.
“I can say this (because of my role on the commission) that I have been disappointed in our police department for the last few years. We hired the best but they were not living up to their expectations and I know what these guys are capable4 of,”: Smith said.
“It is an honor for me that you (council) has the faith in me to do the job because this borough means an awful lot to me,”: Brommer said.
Also at the meeting, council approved beginning the advertisement for a permanent chief and authorized the Civil Service Commission to begin the testing process once the applications are received.
Brommer did say he'll apply for the permanent position.
West Hempfield Police reports
Randall Kahl, 51, of Railroad, was charged with indecent assault and harassment as the result of an incident at Chickies Rock County Park, April 26.
Jenny Rivera, 19, of West Hempfield Township, was charged with possession of marijuana as the result of an incident in the 2100 block of Oak Hollow Drive, April 25.
Janean L. Douglas, 55, of Columbia, was charged with retail theft as the result of an incident at Weis Markets, 1786 Columbia Ave., April 25.
Jenny Rivera, 19, of West Hempfield Township, was charged with possession of marijuana as the result of an incident in the 2100 block of Oak Hollow Drive, April 25.
Janean L. Douglas, 55, of Columbia, was charged with retail theft as the result of an incident at Weis Markets, 1786 Columbia Ave., April 25.
Scenes from River Park
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| To handle overflow parking, concrete stoppers have been placed on the graa on the South side of the parking lot. |
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| The mighty Susquehanna is still running quickly, but within its banks. |
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| A light was broken out of a light pole near the canoe/kayak area. |
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| And there are these prints left by starving artists. |
For sale
New weight classes for wrestling
High School wrestling weight classes have been changed: http://www.rodfrisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/NFHS-Wrestling-Press-Release-2011-12.pdf
Monday, April 25, 2011
Eastern to look at fund raising
This from the York Dispatch: http://www.yorkdispatch.com/ci_17914939
Friday, April 22, 2011
Wrightsville man convicted
This from the York Dispatch: http://www.yorkdispatch.com/news/ci_17902713
Sneezing causes crash
A few in Columbia were without power this morning: http://www.wgal.com/slideshow/news/27635296/detail.html
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Changes ahead for football playoffs
This from Rod Frisco.com, which will affect Columbia's football: http://www.rodfrisco.com/
Special meeting is scheduled
A Special Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 7:00 pm to appoint terms for Board Members of the Market House Historic Trust and any other necessary Borough business.
Fire leads to pot find
A passerby noticed a second-floor window sill was on fire, and summoned the Fire Department. Columbia Police responded to the address along with Columbia Fire Departments to assist with traffic control and possible evacuation of neighboring buildings.
While Fire personnel were inside the building, they noticed multiple building code violations. As such, Fire personnel summoned Columbia Police personnel inside for further investigation. Police made contact with the building owner and occupants, and explained that Columbia Borough Code Officer Jeff Helm would be responding to the building for further inspection. After notifying the owner of this, Police continued coordinating Helm's response with the Fire Department. Unbeknownst to Police, the building owner and its occupants left the scene after being advised of this, and could not be located.
As the Fire Department personnel continued to check the building for the presence of fire, they discovered a marijuana grow operation being conducted on the third and fourth floors of the residence. Police were summoned to this area of the building, and found approximately 10-12 pounds of loose harvested marijuana in bags, and approximately 60-70 mature marijuana plants being grown. This area was immediately secured for investigation. Due to the nature and severity of the code violations throughout the building, it was condemned through the Columbia Borough Codes Office.
Police were able to identify the building owner and its occupants before they left the scene, and all belong to the same family. The investigation is ongoing at this time.
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