Bridges to be replaced

Two bridges in West Hempfield Township will be replaced: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/332726

Miller leaving Columbia

The borough of Columbia has lost its public works manager: http://www.ydr.com/ci_17008592

Turkey Hill Experience gets exposure

The Turkey Hill Experience was topic of a story in today's Harrisburg paper: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/01/turkey_hill_dairy_to_expand_th.html

Columbia sports update

The holidays are over and its really time for the high school sports season, at least league play wise, to heat up.


On the hardwoods, the Tide boys and girls hoop teams have played three league games, all crossover games. The race for the top spot in Section 3 begins this week with games against Lebanon Catholic and Lancaster Mennonite.

On the maps, the Tide is all but done its Section 3 schedule and has home matches with Pequea Valley and Brandywine Heights this week.

Since we last checked in on the Columbia hoops team, they have both picked up wins in league play.

In boys’ basketball, the Tide lost to Donegal by a 61-58 score, but held off Elco for a 53-51 win. At the E-town Tournament, the Tide went 0-2 following a 67-25 loss to Central Dauphin and a 59-46 loss to E-Town.

In girls’ basketball, Columbia picked up its third win of the season, beating Donegal 52-36, but lost to Elco, 47-25 and Northeastern, 66-26.

On the mats, the Tide lost its third Section 3 match to Annville-Cleona, 40-29 and was swept at the Smackdown Duals at Hanover.

So, why is the sidewalk closed and....

Last week when I didn’t have to dress up like Nanook of the North to come in town, I decided to scoot around a little.


I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, just wanting to see the sites, I guess.

Well, as I have written before, there are still a lot of code issues in our town.

Many have commented on previous posts concerning code issues in our town and it will never end until changes are made.

Columbia needs to have consistent code enforcement and not selective code enforcement. In other words, instead of sending a letter to a resident concerning a low hanging tree branch or a sidewalk out of kilter, why not go after the problem areas.

So, on my little trek through town, I noticed a nuisance bar, which changed it hours because of a probable citation from the LCB. One has to wonder with all of the alleged problems this establishment has had, why it hasn’t been closed a long time ago. Code issues within the building are the least of the problems.

How about the former Sprint building on North Third Street? The windows remain open, a side entrance on Third Street looks like its been pried open. There are also some vents on Third Street that are beyond repair.

And that’s probably the least of the buildings’ problems.

On Fourth Street, check out the former Keystone Fire Company. As of last week, the sidewalk was closed because the windows on the third floor were damaged and falling onto the sidewalk.

All three places should have been closed down a long time ago, but continue to be an eyesore for our town, as our code enforcement people continue to pick on the little people and ignore the big problems.

It’s time for the borough to step uo in this area, along with many others.

Columbia No. 1 receives grant

As the year ended, the Columbia No. 1 Fire Departent received a grant: http://columbiafire.com/fullstory.php?125161

Township man is charged

Manor Township Police have charged a West Hempfield Township man with DUI following a traffic stop, Jan. 1.
Charged with DUI was Derek R. Zink, 23, of Maple Drive, as the result of an incident on Hershey Mill Road at Fieldgate Drive.

Are police fully equipped to do their job?

Columbia Borough passed its 2011 budget this week.

The good news, property owners in Columbia will not face a tax increase for 2011.

The bad news was that the budget exposed other issues. (http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/330404).

Those issues involve the police department, which were exposed at this week’s special meeting.

The council overturned Mayor Leo Lutz’ veto of the budget by a 7-0 vote. The mayor wanted an additional officer and two vehicles purchased among other issues.

The bone of contention during the meeting was the lack of a police budget submitted to the borough over the last three years, not having a working Breathalyzer for the department and only one AED.

The Breathalyzer has been out of service for at least three years, according to what COLUMBIA TALK has learned. It would cost more to replace the out-of-service equipment, than it would to purchase a new one. Without the equipment, police have been transporting alleged DUI suspects to Lancaster General Hospital for blood tests.

Therefore, without the Breathalyzer, which can test blood alcohol contents immediately, taking officers off the street to run to Lancaster was the only option.

So as this information comes to light, one has to ask a few questions again.

One, wouldn’t it be cheaper for the borough to replace the broken unit, tan take officers out of Columbia and run to Lancaster for BAC testing?

Two, since there has been no working Breathalyzer for at least three years are the officers still certified or if one is purchased will the4re be training required?

Three, why wasn’t this pointed out until this week that no police budget has been submitted for the last three years?

In most places, heads would roll if this type of information wasn’t provided.

Four, have we sacrificed the safety of our citizens by not having one?



This raises even more questions:



What about the rumor circulated around town this week that possibly one council member wants to disband the police department? Columbia is use to police coverage 24/7 and having another department or state police serve our town, would make open season for the criminal element.

Are the certifications of the officers to use the lone AED the department has up to date?

There are many other issues within our borough, but one thing that should never be sacrificed is the safety of its people. Right now, there seems to be a lot of playing around with that.

As Eagles coach Andy Reid says weekly at his post-game news conference, “Times’ yours.” The time is now for Columba Borough to explain this mess and if someone has to take the fall for it, so be it.

Market stands leaving

As 2010 turns into 2011, big changes are coming to the Columbia Market House and it is not very good.

As of today, three stand holders are leaving, as is Brian Long the acting market manager. To say the market is in a state of flux is a huge understatement.

The three stands who are leaving are Sadie’s Pretzels, M&M Meats and Sunnyside Pastries.

Mahlon and Ruthie Stoltzfus, the owners of M&M Meats and Sunnyside, were thanking their customers today. The pastry stand is expected to reopen in May at the Turkey Hill Experience.

The lunchmeat stand is staying open.

Friday will be Long’s last day as market manager. He is leaving to pursue other ventures.

Depending on what day you go to market, who you talk too, etc., there have been good days and bad days for stand holders at the Columbia Market.

With the recent improvements made by the borough from government grants, the market has gotten a little bit of a new look. One of the big problems, in addition to the lack of people venturing into the market, is the lack of hot water for the stand holders to properly clean their stands. It was suppose to be installed by the borough as part of the grants, but never was.

Can you say code violation, right under the borough’s nose? Yes.

Whether you want to believe it or not, the Columbia Market House is on the decline. For months, there has been talk of a private market trust taking over running the facility from the borough, but nothing has moved forward and the market is floundering.

The stand holders are not making a lot of money is another issue.

I might be in the minority on this one too, but with other markets in the area (Root’s, Green Dragon, Central Market in Lancaster, and close markets in York), our market is not a two-day market.

Brian Long has tried hard to make the market work, but his hands are tied by the politics of our town.

That needs to change.

I am just going to point out some other issues. Since the bucks are tight in our town, what are we losing each week keeping this facility open? Second, perhaps if there were some other events in the facility, it might work. Third, Columbia Borough still hasn’t learned it should not be in the real estate business and fourth, will those who gave our town the grant money look into how the money was used, if the job (no hot water, etc.) was not completed or if the facility were to close?

Plenty of questions, not a lot of answers, but I really think the market could work if it was marketed right and politics were taken out of the equation.

Just right now, things are broken and need fixed.

More honors

Columbia football players Michael Burke and Tyler Harrison have been honored by the Pennsylvania Football News. Here is the link: http://www.pawrsl.com/pfn/2010_pfn_all_state_index.htm

Honor for Donegal grad

Donegal grad Mike Sarbaugh has been named Minor League Manager of the Year. One of the good guys, Mike is the son of former Columbian the late Jim Sarbaugh. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/minors/awards/manager-of-the-year/2010/2611032.html

There's more to the hunt

There can be lessons learned in the hunt: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/329432

Finally progress on North Second Street

There has been some progess made in demolishing fire damages homes in Columbia: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/328933

Flea market opens

The former skateboard place is part of a new venture: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/327418

Another Marietta man is charged

Marietta man busted: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/329787

Special meeting

Columbia Borough Council will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. tonight to address the 2011 budget.

Views of the town



Picture of the recently completed parking lot next to the Market House.



COLUMBIA TALK reader Albert Storm submitted these photos.

Picture of the recently completed fenced in parking lot at Front and Locust streets.

Picture from the East side of the Turkey Hill Experience showing the window glazing.

Picture of the THE from the Third and Linden streets side, showing the gas pumps.

Turkey Hill has website for Experience

Turkey Hill has developed a website for the Turkey Hill Experience: http://turkeyhillexperience.com/default.asp

Quarter auctions might be illegal

Ran into this while looking at the York Daily Record: http://www.ydr.com/ci_16922295?source=most_viewed

Party is busted

Four individuals have been arrested as the result of an underage drinking party at 131 Timber Lane, Mountville, Dec. 18, according to Manor Township Police.

Marietta man charged in bank robbery

Police have charged a Marietta man in conneection with an East Hempfield Township bank robbery: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/328177

Undecided future for 717 area code

The future of the 717 area code is still up in the air: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnzVq2t7bi4

Burke named All-State

The Pennsylvania Sportswriters have named their Class A All-State football team. Columbia's Michael Burke IV was named as a first team wide receiver, along wit Josh Page from state champ Clariton. Here is the link: http://www.rodfrisco.com/

West Hempfield Township police reports

Police have charged Justin Flaharty, 28, of Columbia, with DUI, terroristic threats and driving under suspension, as the result of a traffic stop on Prospect Road, Dec. 19.

Police have charged Seth McKenzie, 28, of Columbia, with two counts of endangering the welfare of children and leaving children unattended in a vehicle, as the result of an incident at 1786 Columbia Ave., Dec. 18

Three Columbia doctors combine

Three Columbia doctors are combining forces: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/326855