Tackling the parking issue, a lot of ideas have been discussed, but never acted on

A while back, I said I was going to start commenting on some of the comments that have been posted on COLUMBIA TALK.


Among the issues drawing plenty of attention are River Park, how the council conducts its meetings, Section 8 and slum lords/out of town landlords, budget cutting, the market, the condition of the streets and sidewalks and the list could go on and on.

So, here goes with the first issue of parking in Columbia.

To make it easy, the streets in Columbia weren’t designed for homes/apartments that have multiple vehicles.

With that being said, one of the biggest problems I see with multiple vehicles and parking deals a lot with the number of available spaces in a block. I’ll use a one block example, without dealing you were it is. There were seven houses on one side of the street. Of the seven houses, just two are one car houses. On the other side of the street, there are six houses, all with multiple vehicles, including one house with five vehicles and another with a vehicle, which is only moved for sweeping.

Plus, there are three cars parked on the block, whose owners live on another street, where there is parking.

Now, let’s talk about the problems with apartments. It doesn’t appear that in most cases, the buildings with multiple units, the ordinances designed eliminate parking issues isn’t being followed. And this isn’t anything new, its been going on for years. So, how do you alleviate the problem, well, perhaps you can start enforcing the ordinances, and/or make it tougher for the slum lords/out of town land lords to rent their properties and clean them up. That would be one idea.

Look around where there are lots in downtown? Who is filling them? Well, in some cases, it is the customers of the businesses, but in most cases, it is those renting apartments, who are filling them. There are signs in many of them as too who can park and who can’t. I urge those who own those parking lots to start calling police or the borough to have the vehicles towed. It’s a start, but as someone once said to me after seeing a cat booted, they don’t care about it and they are probably right.

A few years back at either a council meeting or one of those business meetings, parking in downtown was discussed. I even think someone did a survey of available parking in Columbia and there was plenty. Look in the alleys, okay to be politically correct in Columbia, avenues. But, since our town changes greatly after six, I’m not too wild about parking in the avenues.

The borough has created two parking lots – one next to the market and another down at the foot of Locust Street. Neither are really finished. It will help, as long as the apartment dwellers don’t find them first.

Another idea off that was making a couple of key streets like Cherry, Locust and Walnut, different directions of one way. I think it was Cherry and Walnut (300 and 400 blocks) one-way going out of town and Locust one-way coming into town. That and investigating angle parking in those areas or parking on one side of the street never got off the ground. I saw an awful lot of angle parking down South last week and it worked because the streets were much wider in some of the towns. But doing that in Columbia might be more of a problem than a help a nd wouldn’t take care of the problem either.

Is there an easy answer to the town’s parking problems? Well, with the pending finish of the parking lot in the 100 block of Locust Street, perhaps those who have businesses in the downtown use it for their employees.

I’d even be open to some type of parking permits.

All of this has been discussed, but action was never taken. Perhaps its time.

But I still think the easiest way to end the problems and if our town takes off like many expect, would be to enforce the ordinances on the books. It’s a start, a small one at that.

Will there be light?

Pictured are one of the light poles that were recently installed at the "new" River Park. The question is, will these lights be turned or or have they been turned on and who will pay for the electric use? Apparently during the planning stage and construction, it wasn't discussed who will pay the the electric use and where the money will come from.

St. John's Herr to host event

Stop by St. John's Herr Estate from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to participate in the Red, White and Blueberry Jamboree.
The centerpiece of this event will be a 300-pound blueberry pie available for tasting by the scoop. Participants are challenged to fill the bus with school supplies or non-perishable food items to benefit the community. The drive for food and school supplies will last one month.

Chamber to hold Art in the Park

Friday marks the First Annual Art in the Park event coordinated by the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce. This event coincides with the Fourth Friday programming of Columbia's art galleries.
Art in the Park, sponsored by Buchart Horn, will be an open air art show located along Locust Street in the downtown Columbia park. The event will run from 4-8 p.m.and will feature music in the gazebo, art in various media, and an opportunity to get in touch with your inner artist.
\Make an evening of it; stop by Art in the Park then visit Columbia's art galleries. Finish off the evening with jazz at Perfect Settings.

Columbia Police Reports

KENNETH EARL MURTIFF, AGE 18, OF MANCHESTER, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS; PROHIBITIONS ON EXPENDITURES FOR EMISSIONS INSPECTION PROGRAM; AND FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, ON ROUTE 30 EAST, AT ROUTE 441, JULY 13.

KHALED SHEHATE ABDOU, AGE 37, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, ON WALNUT STREET, JULY 12.

ANDREW JAMES BILLET, AGE 25, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED WITH PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS IN THE 300 BLOCK OF AVENUE I, JULY 11.

ASHLEY HORN, COLUMBIA, REPORTED THE THEFT OF GASOLINE FROM HER 2004 KIA, WHILE IT WAS PARKED NEAR HER RESIDENCE, BETWEEN JULY 12-13.
VALUE OF THE GAS WAS $27.. SHE

TWO PEOPLE, ONE ON CHESTNUT STREET AND THE OTHER IN THE 200 BLOCK OF AVENUE I, REPORTED THEIR VEHICLES HAD BEEN KEYED WHILE PARKED NEAR THEIR
RESIDENCE. NO ESTIMATES OF THE DAMAGES WERE GIVEN.

A RESIDENT OF SOUTH THIRD STREET, REPORTED THAT SOMEONE HAD ‘PUNCHED’ A HOLE IN HIS AIR CONDITIONER, JULY 11.
 THE UNIT WAS IN A FIRST FLOOR WINDOW. NO ESTIMATE OF THE DAMAGE WAS GIVEN IN THIS INCIDENT,

A CHESTNUT STREET RESIDENT REPORTED SOMEONE HAD STOLEN A BLACK & DECKER DRILL AND ASSORTED ACCESSORIES, VALUED AT APPROX. $100, ALONG WITH SOME CHANGE, FROM HIS VEHICLE, JULY 12.

JANICE C. ARMSTRONG, AGE 50, OF MARIETTA, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS AND YIELD SIGNS AT FOURTH AND MILL STREETS, JULY 15..

DANIEL NEGRON-MARTINEZ, AGE 30, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS IN THE 300 BLOCK OF CHERRY STREET, JULY 15.

JUAN P. COLON, AGE 25, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS AND FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT ROUTE 30 EAST AT ROUTE 441, JULY 16..

ADRIAN FREDERICK FIELDS, AGE 41, OF COLUMBIA WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT ROUTE 462 AND 15TH. STREET, JULY 16.

TYLER RUPP FISLER, AGE 19, OF GETTYSBURG, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS AT ROUTE 441 AND PERRY STREET, JULY 16.

WAYNE A. YOHE, JR., AGE 33, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES AT FIFTH. AND LOCUST STREETS, JULY 17.

BOBBY D. JONES, AGE 32, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVERS REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED AND FOR RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, IN THE 300 BLOCK OF PERRY STREET, JULY 17.

JAMES B. JONES, JR., AGE 42, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 100 BLOCK OF SOUTH SECOND STREET, JULY 17.

AMANDA MAE CARNES, AGE 29, OF MOUNT JOY, WAS CITED FOR DRIVERS REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED; REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED; AND FOR RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, IN THE 400 BLOCK OF LOCUST  STREET, JULY 18.

JONATHAN KENNETH GRUBE, AGE 20, OF MOHNTON, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS, AT ROUTE 30 AND ROUTE 441, JULY 10.

JORGE ANDREY BELERRA-ERAZO, AGE 20, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS, AT ROUTE 30 AND ROUTE 441, JULY 19.

So what happened?

What happened to the Bricktown skate park in the 200 block of Chestnut Street. The park apprently closed about two weeks ago. The sign on the side of the building is down and the contents were placed on the sidewalk for sale.

Sometimes, I think too much

When I went on vacation last week, there were a couple of things I wanted to do – see my friend, have fun and take in the scenes and events.


I think I pretty much accomplished that. But in taking in the events and reading all the brochures I received from down South, I got to thinking if the Southern events would work here as add to what we already have.

Well, if we could all work together, they could.

Throughout the area, starting with our town, we have two 5-K Runs, the Antique, Art and Craft Show, the Bridge Bust, Fourth Fridays, activities for Memorial Day and July 4th. Across the pond (Susquehanna), they have Heritage Day and River Fest and the long running Stay at Home Fourth. North of the mountains (Chickies), there is Marietta Day, their July 4th carnival and both areas have Memorial Day Parades.

But when I was down South, there were a couple of events I attended such as the Marketplace and Peach Festival. There were other events coming up or previously held and I thought what the heck, I’m gonna throw them out there and see what the thoughts are.

The Marketplace was an event similar to our craft show, but the focus of this once a month event is farm produce and community groups. There were some craft stands, but not many and it closed off a few streets. Looked like a good event tat could work here, if it were limited to farm produce and community groups.

The Peach Festival is a lot like the Washington Boro Tomato Festival and was very well attended. So, we already have something like that.

One event I didn’t get to because of the weather was Hartsville Idol. It rained that night and the event was pushed back a week. That could work here, teamed with something like the car show or craft fair.

They had a Bluegrass Festival in May, along with a ton of other events throughout the year, but they didn’t do anything in Hartsville for Memorial Day.

There’s a lot going on in our area now and I think a couple of new events added to what we have could work. Sorry when I get to thinking, the ideas just keep coming.

These are just suggestions and nothing more. I’d be willing to share the various brochures and talk to people, but if we could all work together and promote the area, good things could happen.

It's Fourth Friday time again

It's another Fourth Friday in Columbia. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fourth-Fridays-in-Columbia/128464630512582?ref=ts#!/pages/Fourth-Fridays-in-Columbia/128464630512582?ref=ts

Road construction

North Second Street between Poplar and Linden streets is closed for a road project for at least two months.

CEF plans golf tournament

Attention golfers, the Columbia Educationn Foundation is looking for you! http://www.columbiapaeducationfd.org/events.htm

Changes coming to downtown meters

When I was down south, one of the first things I noticed was the lack of parking meters in all of the towns but Columbia.


Down in the state capitol of South Carolina, it cost 25 cents for 20 minutes. In our town, its 25 cents for an hour downtown. I hear the meters near the post office and in the municipal parking lot are differently timed.

While, Columbia trains a new parking enforcement officer to work late afternoons and weekends, which COLUMBIA TALK warned all about a few weeks ago, comes word that borough council might approve changes to the meter timing at its Aug. 9 meeting.

At a recent meeting of council’s finance committee, it was approved to take to the full council a change in the time. If approved, 25 cents will get those parking downtown just 30 minutes on a meter.

Okay, it is not like the borough is getting rich and lowering its debt with the money from the parking meter, but once again this is not a business friendly move on the part of our council if approved.

If you want people to come downtown and I’m sure there will be comments on this part of the forum about not having much to go downtown for, but, why affect those people who have businesses downtown? Want to drive people out of town, this is one way to do it.

Sure, taking the parking meters away for good, would be an excellent idea. But, here’s the catch for that idea.

Those who live in apartments were the meters are would take up a large number of parking spaces. Been downtown when the borough isn’t checking the meters, you’ll see what we mean. Or, since M&T Bank closed, their parking lot is full. Since, the borough has no idea who is renting what downtown, this may or may not be a good idea. It would be a good idea, if our Code Enforcement folks would be doing their jobs and finding out what cars go with what rental properties and hold the landlords accountable for parking.

But again, COLUMBIA TALK ia asking are the downtown parking meters giving us the “biggest bang” for the buck that we really need them, or can we do without them?

Rotary Club to hold golf tournament

The Columbia Rotary Club will holds its annual golf tournament this week: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=36125

It's just a matter of Town Pride!

The week I just returned from in South Carolina was very fun and enlightening.


One of the first things I saw was how clean the various towns I visited were. No street trash, no trash, except for one small area of the roads with trash laying along side and most of the properties were well groomed and taken care of.

As I found out with the people I talked too and asked why the streets and sidewalks were cleaned and well groomed (also well constructed), everyone said it was a matter of community/town pride.

So, as I’ve traveled the streets of our town, even before my vacation and now after my vacation, is why are the streets of Columbia trashed with trash and weeds.

It’s not everywhere mind you, but, more places than it should be.

Why? I think I got the answer when I was down south – community/town pride.

Again, I’m not saying we don’t it, but you don’t have to look real far in town not to see it.

Why? Well, perhaps we take for granted someone else will clean up the mess.

Perhaps, which I agree with, we have too many out “out of towners,” who want us to live by their lifestyles. And it should be the other way around, the “out of towners” should live as us native Colunbians live.

Until that changes, our town is going to continue to be trashed.

We need to get that PRIDE back in our town and make it a better place to live, work and play.

West Hempfield Police continue investigation

West Hempfield Township Police are continuing their investigation into a Sunday morning fatal accident: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/267588

Making the daily list

Just making a list for the first full weekday back -- looks like there are plnety of things to check on, including the possibility of changes coming to Columbia's parking meters.