Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Article on River Park
Found this article on DCNR webpage: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/newsletter-10/9/10-09-ColumbiaBorough.aspx
Other business
Mayoral proclamations
Leo Lutz signed two proclamations – one for National Police Week and the other for Emergency Services Week, both May 15-21.
Lutz also said he received a thank you letter from the Northeast Region of the Department of Interior, who recently toured the River Park area, along with other state government agencies.
He also reported during a recent survey of handicap parking in the borough that there were no problems as reported at a recent committee meeting. He said this year so far, police have cited 22 people for illegal parking in handicap spaces.
Good news from Philadelphia
The borough said it received $32,000 from a grant, which will place traffic control devices such as rumble strips around town. The money comes via Philadelphia, who collected fines for people running red lights that were caught on video.
Loan paid off
It was announced the borough paid off a $865,894.30 loan/grant to De Lage Landen Public Finance, which was used in connection with the Turkey Hill Experience project.
Vehicle purchased
The purchase of a Chevrolet 3500 one-ton dump truck was approved at a cost of $47,000.
Resident questions
Frank Doutrich and Vern Detz were the only two residents to address the council at the end of the three hour meeting.
Doutrich questioned the upcoming retirement of Police Chief Joe Greenya among other things, while Detz had finance and code issues.
Leo Lutz signed two proclamations – one for National Police Week and the other for Emergency Services Week, both May 15-21.
Lutz also said he received a thank you letter from the Northeast Region of the Department of Interior, who recently toured the River Park area, along with other state government agencies.
He also reported during a recent survey of handicap parking in the borough that there were no problems as reported at a recent committee meeting. He said this year so far, police have cited 22 people for illegal parking in handicap spaces.
Good news from Philadelphia
The borough said it received $32,000 from a grant, which will place traffic control devices such as rumble strips around town. The money comes via Philadelphia, who collected fines for people running red lights that were caught on video.
Loan paid off
It was announced the borough paid off a $865,894.30 loan/grant to De Lage Landen Public Finance, which was used in connection with the Turkey Hill Experience project.
Vehicle purchased
The purchase of a Chevrolet 3500 one-ton dump truck was approved at a cost of $47,000.
Resident questions
Frank Doutrich and Vern Detz were the only two residents to address the council at the end of the three hour meeting.
Doutrich questioned the upcoming retirement of Police Chief Joe Greenya among other things, while Detz had finance and code issues.
Borough receives clean audit
Columbia Borough received a clean opinion from its auditors Monday night.
Mike Reiner of the firm of Sager, Swisher and Company presented the 29-page document to the full council, which was approved later in the meeting. Reiner had made a detailed report at council's April finance committee meeting.
Reiner said the borough's economic condition has improved and actually ended 2010 with a small surplus.
Reiner said over the last five years, the borough has been able to build up their low fund balances.
The auditor recommended that municipalities keep three months of operating money in reserve.
“But there is no rule of thumb,” Reiner said.
Borough Manager Norm Meiskey said the borough hasn't raised taxes in three years and has been operating in the black the last two years.
Mike Reiner of the firm of Sager, Swisher and Company presented the 29-page document to the full council, which was approved later in the meeting. Reiner had made a detailed report at council's April finance committee meeting.
Reiner said the borough's economic condition has improved and actually ended 2010 with a small surplus.
Reiner said over the last five years, the borough has been able to build up their low fund balances.
The auditor recommended that municipalities keep three months of operating money in reserve.
“But there is no rule of thumb,” Reiner said.
Borough Manager Norm Meiskey said the borough hasn't raised taxes in three years and has been operating in the black the last two years.
Perfect again
Detz, the team's lone senior, pitched her second perfect game of the season, struck out 10, in the Tide's 15-0 mercy rule win over Lancaster Mennonite this afternoon.
It was also her fifth no-hitter of the season as the Tide wrapped up their first ever Section 4 title with a win over their ex-coach Brad Brubaker.
Ten of Lancaster Mennonite’s 12 outs were strikeouts. The other two: A grounder back to Detz and a bunt which was fielded cleanly by Columbia’s first baseman.
Detz threw 46 pitches Tuesday – 35 for strikes. She also helped out at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three RBI and four runs scored for Columbia.
Detz’s regular-season stats to date: 111 innings pitched, 174 striketouts, 12 walks, three no-hitters, two perfect games and a 0.32 ERA.
Update on Turkey Hill Experience
Official release on car break-ins
On 5-9-11, the Columbia Police Department received numerous calls from residents regarding their vehicles being entered and items being taken.
A number of different items were taken from the vehicles, including but not limited to a GPS unit, bookbags, and a Beretta .32 caliber pistol. Many of the vehicles that were entered were unlocked, however, at least one vehicle was locked, and the perpetrators forcibly entered the locked vehicle by breaking a window. These thefts occurred during the overnight hours, and were not limited to a specific area of Columbia.
The Columbia Police are actively investigating these thefts and are speaking to potential witnesses.
The Columbia Police wish to remind its residents that it is of paramount importance to ensure that all unattended vehicles are locked, even if the vehicles are parked in a private driveway. The Columbia Police also recommend removing valuables from vehicles when they are parked. However, if valuables are left in vehicles, it is wise to secure the items and keep them from plain view.
Anyone with information about these thefts is to contact Sgt. Marc Tremblay or Officer Troy Engle at 717-684-7735.
Also, the Columbia Police wish to encourage its residents to contact the Police immediately if they notice suspicious vehicles or persons around their vehicles or property.
A number of different items were taken from the vehicles, including but not limited to a GPS unit, bookbags, and a Beretta .32 caliber pistol. Many of the vehicles that were entered were unlocked, however, at least one vehicle was locked, and the perpetrators forcibly entered the locked vehicle by breaking a window. These thefts occurred during the overnight hours, and were not limited to a specific area of Columbia.
The Columbia Police are actively investigating these thefts and are speaking to potential witnesses.
The Columbia Police wish to remind its residents that it is of paramount importance to ensure that all unattended vehicles are locked, even if the vehicles are parked in a private driveway. The Columbia Police also recommend removing valuables from vehicles when they are parked. However, if valuables are left in vehicles, it is wise to secure the items and keep them from plain view.
Anyone with information about these thefts is to contact Sgt. Marc Tremblay or Officer Troy Engle at 717-684-7735.
Also, the Columbia Police wish to encourage its residents to contact the Police immediately if they notice suspicious vehicles or persons around their vehicles or property.
Sports Hall of Fame honors two
Rich Gerfin, a longtime member of the Hall received the Jimmy Sheckard Award for community serivce.
Gerfin, the hall's treasurer is also a member of the Sunsnappers and Lions Club, the Columbia Education Foundaation and the Columbia High School Athletic Hall of Fame, among his many civic minded activities.
Former Solanco football player Matt Gibson, who was presented the William Mable Courageous Athlete Award.
Gibson is battling Asperger's Syndrome.
Inductees were:
* Jerry Brooks, former administrator in the Penn Manor School District and coach and longtime official and former District 3 committee chairman.
* Robert Derr, current field hockey coach at Warwick High School and top high school and college wrestling official.
* Jim Dougherty, former Columbia Raider and cable television personality.
* Scott Martin, football and wrestling standout at Lancaster Catholic and current Lancaster County Commissioner.
* Bernie Santaniello, former football player at Lancaster Catholic and longtime coach at McCaskey.
* Carmine Taglieri, former athletic director at Lancaster Catholic and longtime PIAA official.
Detz crowned May Queen
Pool for sale
School leader passes suddenly
Joseph Kurijaka, the chief financial officer of the Manheim Township School District and board member of the Hempfield School District, suddenly passed away last night at the age of 48.
He also served the Columbia School Disttrict.
Here is his biograhy from the Hempfield School District website:
Joe was elected to the Hempfield Board of School Directors in November 2009. Joe has been a resident of Hempfield School District for 37 years. He is currently employed by Manheim Township School District as their Chief Operating Officer and has been with Manheim Township for nearly 19 years.
Prior to working for Manheim Township, Joe worked for Columbia School District as their Business Manager and also worked for the PA Office of Auditor General where he performed audits of school districts. Joe is a graduate of Lancaster Catholic HS and Penn State where he earned a BS in Accounting.
Joe has been married for nearly 20 years to Lynn who is a graduate of Hempfield. They have two daughters, Kari and Kristin, who currently attend Hempfield schools.
Joe is honored to have the opportunity to serve and contribute to the Hempfield community in his role as a school board member.
Council gets tough
At Monday's council meeting, the borough took a major step that will return the area to a vacant lot. Council approved a motion to stop the lot from being used as a parking lot and also instructed its highway department to repair the curb on the Fourth Street side and lien the property for the cost of the repair.
Makle Park gets "makeover"
Councilman Smith said 75 emloyees from Comcst and 25 volunteers from SACA in Lancaster, spent a Saturday cleaning up debris, mulching and making other repairs to the park.
"The park now looks like something out of Home and Garden," Smith said.
Others assisting were McCarty's Seal Coatinbg and Kreider's Mulch, Smith said.
River Park gets rental area
The rental fee will be $100, $40, of which will go to the Old Columbia Puiblic Grounds Company and thr remainder to the borough.
"This will be a welcome addition and will generate significant business," Mayor Leo Lutz said.
The mayor also noted that by having a building at the park, it would deter vandalism such as the bridge pier painting and the breaking of the light fixtures.
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