Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Bill could change government

In reading a new newspaper web pages today, I found this story where a Harrisburg legislator has introduced a bill concerning the elimination of borough and township governments.
Here is the link: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/04/bill_calls_for_eliminating_pen.html

Keep an eye out

Several weeks ago, COLUMBIA TALK posted information about a violent sexual predator that moved into the 400 block of Locust Street, or more directly in an apartment at 469 Locust St.
There has been some discussion on Facebook concerning this issue and others, who might be living in our town. The best advice I can given you, is check out the Megan's Law web site and keep an eye on these individuals.
One might also want to attend the next borough council meeting on Monday, May 10, to again voice concerns about these individuals.
But please remember, these individuals are peope also and let's not go on a witch hunt to cause unwanted problems for these people, yourself and police.
Here is the link to the afore mentioned person.http://www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us/OffenderDetail.aspx?text=bgdddiid&dt=HCEJCFDED4ENIFNDJ4da

District 3 to vote on power rating changes

Potential changes are coming to how Disrtict 3 figures its power ratings. Here are a couple of links for everyone to read.
http://www.rodfrisco.com/
http://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/news/article/79989592451835743/district-3-power-rating-might-get-a-makeover/

Tide 9 falls at NL

The Columbia baseball team began a stretch of four games in four days with a 6-2 loss at Northern Lebanon on Tuesday.
The Vikings scored two runs in the first, third and fifth innings.
Brandon Arnold and Jake Sentz pitched for the Tide.
Columbia will host Donegal this afternoon, travel to Reading Central Catholic tomorrow and then host Pequea Valley on Friday.

Riiver Park project is honored

Left to Right: Jackie Parker, Deputy Sec, DCED; Mike Schober, Buchart Horn; Karla Farrell, Buchart Horn; Mary Wickenheiser, Borough Council President; Charles Hershey, River Park Steering Committee; Mayor Lutz; Fred Reddig, Executive Director, Governor's Center for Local Government Services


Columbia Borough has been awarded the 2010 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence in Promoting Community and Economic Revitalization. The award was for the Columbia Borough River Park Revitalization and Expansion Project.

The award was presented to representatives from Columbia Borough, the River Park Steering Committee and Buchart Horn, Inc. at a luncheon Thursday, April 15, at the Harrisburg Farm Show Building.

The award is the result of seven years work by the River Park Steering Committee. The River Park Steering Committee started discussions on revitalizing the River Park in 2003 and has been meeting monthly since. Construction on the project started in late fall 2009 and is expected to be completed by May 1st, 2010 intime for the boating season.

The revitalized River Park will feature a three lane motorized boat ramp, new canoe/kayak ramp, increased parking, lights, a fishing pier and docks. The grass area will be off-limits this year to allow the grass to grow and take root. The River Park Steering Committee is exploring the possibility of adding a pavilion this year until a permanent building can be constructed as part of phase 1A at a later date.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Rain, rain go away

It will be another long week for the Columbia baseball and softball teams. The two had their games on Monday postponed on Monday with Northern Lebanon.
The Tide will travel to Northern Lebanon for a baseball game tomorrow afternoon.
The softball team will host Northern Lebanon on Thursday, meaning the Tide girls will travel to Donegal on Wednesday, host NL on Thursday and travel to Pequea Valley on Friday.
Columbia and Pequea Valley are running neck and neck for the lead in Section 4. Both teams have two league losses, although the Tide has a game in hand.
Columbia is 7-2 in league play with losses to Manheim Central and L-S in crossover games. PV is 6-2 with losses to the Tide and Northern Lebanon. PV was scheduled to play Donegal today and still has another make-up game with Lancaster Mennonite, according to scores posted on lancsports.com.
Annville-Cleona is right there with a 6-3 record with Section 4 losses to the Tide and PV and a crossover loss to Donegal.

District 3 power ratings

From PennLive and the Harrisburg Patriot News, here is a link to the District 3 baseball power ratings.
http://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/news/article/2082785437524560315/district-3-baseball-power-ratings/

Sunday, April 25, 2010

A comment

It has been an interesting week here on COLUMBIA TALK.


First, who would have thought comments made at a borough council meeting would create that much controversy.

But it is Columbia and we have people who reside here, who one, like to create controversy and two, don’t understand that when Columbia and its people get attacked, the wagons circle.

I have never received so many emails about something that was reportedly “not” said at a council meeting and so on, it just got to the point it was better off to remove the posts, than continue the evil that was being spread.

I do have to ask though, since I’ve been though this for the last 25 years or so that if those comments were reported by a larger media entity, would the same thing happened. In most cases, I doubt it. In this case, it most likely would have. But since it was COLUMBIA, it probably would have made front page headlines or the lead story on the six o’clock news. We’ll pick on the little guy and they will back down.

As I’ve stated previously, if you don’t want to be quoted on something you say at a borough council or school board meeting, don’t say it. If you say it, then be prepared to take the heat for your comments.

If you haven’t figured out, those who grew up here in town and those who have moved here and want to help make our town better, are Columbia’s biggest supporters. It’s those people that come here, who think they can be part of the solution, don’t get their own way, who end up causing problems.

Just remember, there are two types of people – people from Columbia and people who wish they were from Columbia.

Next, I’ll address the weekly polls that I come up with. I hope our community leaders are following the voting on these polls, particularly the ones about the market.

Since the weather has turned nicer, I am in tje market on a weekly basis.

There’s a problem there folks. It’s a great facility, bit its only half full with stand holders. Most of the entire back half of the market is empty. I know the market is going through a transition without a market manager, but something needs to be done.

Perhaps two days isn’t the answer and perhaps it will change once a new manager is approved. But word needs to get out about the facility. People in Lancaster, York and other areas need to find out about the Columbia Market. It will work if promoted right, but I am one of those people who aren’t sure the two-day market will work. Just say, if I’m going in on a Thursday to get lunch meat, baked good, fresh fruit, etc., it’s less likely I will be going back in on Friday, unless its to get something to eat.

Now let’s move on to a group that will always be near and dear to me, the Columbia Boy’s Athletic Association. I spent almost 30 years of my life involved in the organization and if you haven’t noticed, the organization recently reorganized its officers. All of the officers now are young people who went trough the organization as kids, know what the organization once was and how many teams they once had.

I wish them luck because they have a long road to go to get the interest back in the organization. The number of baseball and softball teams are at a bare minimum this year. I can remember when I played and first started as an officer, we had 19 baseball teams and eight softball teams.

But as costs rose and registration fees increased, the numbers have dropped to record low numbers.

I don’t blame those running the organization, because I was one of them. I do blame the parents for not getting their kids involved, or, getting involved themselves.

Playing sports is something good for our young people. Sure, its probably tough for mom and dad to travel, but at least get the kids out there to get involved, instead of letting them sit in the house, text and play on the computer.

The attitude needs to change and despite the hard work of the new officers, if it doesn’t, there might be a day where there is no CBAA and that would be sad because the parents aren’t making their kids get involved.

But then again, a lot of those playing not only at the CBAA level, but the high school levels, are transients, meaning they are here one day and gone the next, not exactly the way to build a program at any level.

Earlier today, there was a comment to the post make about the track program at the high school. As a former member of the track team back in the 1970s, it hurts to see how far that program that dominated the 50s, 60s and 70s has dropped.

I will say this about the current coaches on the hill, most of them have gone through the program from the bottom up and know what it takes to win. Right now, Columbia is going through a little blip on the radar screen, where the coaches are trying hard to work through it, but the athletes just aren’t responding.

It will turn around, but everyone needs to change. The kids have to listen to their coaches, fight through little nicks and bruises, get our their and make Columbia Proud. Right now, that pride isn’t there in most sports and it starts with the kids, some of whom, not all of them need an attitude adjustment, so that next fall, Columbia is the one kicking people when they are down and not getting kicked.

Let’s get back to rolling on the hill and you’ll find out how much the community supports you.

Help Laura

Received this via Facebook,so I thought I'd put it on here as well.http://www.myspace.com/gleeauditions?link=80369315

Columbia track competes at Penn and M-ville

Thursday and Friday, the Tide sent two relay teams to the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia. The Tide’s 4 by 100 teams, placed ninth in their heat in the girls’ relay and seventh in their heat in the boys’ relay.


Friday, the Tide was one of a number of teams participating in the Millersville University High School Invitational at Beamsderfer Stadium.

Placing for the Tide boys were Derek Zercher and Tony Barton, 47th and 56th in the 1,600; Zercher, 39th and Barton, 46th in the 3,200; Brandon Felus, 18th in the discus and 22nd in the shot put and Alan Foehlinger, 46th in the 200 hurdles.

On the girls’ side, Shaday Fraizer was 40th in the 100 and 200; Audreanna Edmond was 36th in the 200; Rebecca Kuhn was 52nd in the 800; Rachel Knighton, 53rd in the 1,600 and Rachel Hall, 42nd in the 300 hurdles.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Record setters have big week

Last week, the Columbia girls’ softball team became the school’s best softball team ever with a win over Cocalico.

The 6-0 win over Cocalico was the Tide’s seventh of the season, the most in CHS softball history since 1995 when Columbia went 7-9.

Friday, they broke the record with a 5-2 win at Elco.

The win improved the Tide’s Section 4 record to 7-2 and overall mark to 8-3.

But with the program history changing, the Tide is eyeing a bigger prize, a section title and league playoffs berth.

And with seven games left in the league season, the Tide has a big week to reach those lofty goals. Coach Brad Brubaker’s teams hosts Northern Lebanon on Monday, travels to Donegal on Wednesday and then Pequea Valley on Friday. The combined league record of the three is 21-5 with Donegal unbeaten in league play at 9-0 and leading Section 3. Northern Lebanon, who beat Pequea Valley on Friday is 6-3 in league play and Pequea Valley is 6-2 in Section 4.

Columbia scored in the top of the first inning when Emily Detz, who had walked and stole second base, then advanced to third on a passed ball, scored after Ashlyn Phillips walked and continued on to second. The play distracted ELCO pitcher Carrie Stamm and Detz scampered home.

The Tide would add two runs in the second inning when jacked an RBI triple plating Kayla Lambert. Detz would later score an a Valessa Carollo fielders choice hit. Jenna Plastino and Phillips added two runs in the fifth and the Tide secured the win behind the 3-hitter thrown by Detz. She struck out 12 and walked one in the win.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Big inning dooms Tide

For almost five innings Friday afternoon at Glatfelter Field, Crimson Tide sophomore Jimmy Lee was doing his best Jamie Moyer imitation. He was dazzling Elco batters with an assortment of pitches.


In the fifth, Lee struck out the first batter he faced, then gave up a bunt base hit and got the next batter to fly deep to right to Johnny Vazquez.

He had two easy outs and the Tide was leading 2-1. After the fly ball to right, another Elco batter doubled to right. And it looked like Lee was going to get out of the inning when a ground ball was hit to Tide third sacker Brandon Aukamp.

What should have been the third out turned into an eight run inning and a 9-2 Elco lead. The visiting Raiders turned the big inning into an 11-2 win.

After the error on Aukamp, the Raiders saw the next six hitters reach base, four with hits, one of which was a bases clearing double.

While that inning may have turned the game around, the Tide left this one get away in their half of the third and fourth innings.

In the third, Josh Elliot and Brandon Arnold led off the inning with singles. After Seth Lefever struck out, Michael Burke blooped a hit to center to score one run. Aukamp then reached on an error to load the bases with one out. But, Lee struck out and Johnny Vasquez flied to right to end the threat.

In the fourth, Jake Sentz ripped a double down the left field line and Cain Warfel followed with a single. The Tide had runners on the corners with no outs. But things went bad for the Tide. Chris Aruda, the courtesy runner for catcher Warfel was picked off, Elliot struck out and Arnold flied out to center to end the second threat.

And when you are going bad, bad things happen and they did to the Tide in the fifth.

Things started good for the Tide in this one.

The Tide scored an unearned run in the first, when Elco had trouble fielding the ball and led 1-0.

Elco tied the game in the third with some sall ball, using three walks and a sacrifice fly.

But the Tide’s inability to come up with the big hit in the third and fourth innings hurt.

Elco scored one more in the sixth on an infield bunt, walk two balks called on Aruda, who became the pitcher in relief of Lee.

In the seventh, Aruda was called for three more balks, which allowed Elco to score another run. A nice diving catch by Arnold in center kept Elco from scoring a few more runs in the final frame.

Morgan goes to the Titans

Derrick Morgan, who played midget football here in Columbia and also at the junior high level.
Here is the link from the Tennessee Titans' web page http://www.titansonline.com/

Thursday, April 22, 2010

NFL Draft bears watching

It's the start of the three days of the NFL Draft. Here is a story on Derrick Morgan, I found this morning in the West Chester Daily Local. http://dailylocal.com/articles/2010/04/22/sports/srv0000008098602.txt

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Another slugfest

It was another slugfest this afternoon at Cocalico for the Columbia baseball team.
The Tide and Eagles combined for 17 runs and 20 hits as Cocalico scored an 11-6 win over the Tide.
Last night, the Tide gave up 11 runs in a loss to L-S.
The difference in the game was the bottom of the sixth when the Eagles scored six runs.
Cocalico led the game 3-0 with a pair of runs in the second and a single run in the third. The Tide got back in the game somewhat with a two spot in their half of the fifth innings, before the Eagles scored twice in their half of the fifth to take a 5-3 lead.
Columbia closed the gap with three runs in the top of the seventh.

No more warnings

As many of you know, street sweeping has resumed its normal schedule in the borough of Columbia.
Warnings will no longer be issused for vehicles that aren't moved. As of tomorrow, all vehicles not moved will be ticketed.

Tide back to winning ways

Junior pitcher Emily Detz broke open a 0-0 tie game in the second inning with a grand slam home run that cleared the left field fence and led the Crimson Tide to a 6-0 win over visiting Cocalico in a L-L League Section 3/4 crossover game.
 Detz went 2-3 at the plate and also walked in four appearances. In the circle, she struck out 14, while walking two and yielding just 4 hits on the rain-soaked afternoon at Glatfelter Field.



The win improved Columbia to 6-2 in Section 4 and 8-3 overall, and established a new single season school record for wins by the softball team. The previous mark of 7 wins was set in 1995 when the tide finished 7-9.

The Crimson and Gold visit Elco on Friday looking to keep pace with Section 4 front runner Pequea Valley. The Tide currently sits in second place in Section 4, a game ahead of Annville-Cleona.

Tide drops make-up

The Columbia baseball team was a 10-0 loser Tuesday night to Section 3 leading Lampeter-Strasburg.
The game was postponed from Friday.
The Tide had just five hits for the game.
The Pioneers, who hosted the game under the lights, scored three times in the second inning and twice in the third. They also scored once in the fifth and four more times in the sixth.
Brandon Arnold making his first start of the year, struck out three and walked six, until he was relieved in the sixth.

Columbia man charged in burglary

A Columbia man has been charged by Susquehanna Regional Police. Here is the link http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/251367

Province buys Union National

Province Bank, with a location in Columbia and one in Marietta, has agreed to purchase Union National Community Vank, which also has an office in Columbia.
Here is the link from today's story in the Intell/New Era: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/251349

Monday, April 19, 2010

Tide drops slugfest

It was a day for hitters on Monday afternoon at Glatfelter Field as Manheim Central and the Crimson Tide combined for 21 runs and 20 hits. The bad part for the Tide was Manheim Central scored 15 of the 21 runs in a 15-6 win over the Tide.
Columbia dominated the first three innings of the game, leading 4-1. But "Manheim Magic" hit in the top of the fourth inning when the Barons exploded for eight runs to take a 9-4 lead in the game.
Columbia pulled within 9-5 with a solo run in their half of the fourth, but the Barons were not donem scoring twice in the fifth and four times in the sixth to bust the game open.
The two teams also combined for 14 strikeouts and 17 walks.

Track team enjoy first success

The Columbia track teams picked up their first wins of the season in a non-league tri-match up on the hill against the Lititz Christian School and the Christian School of York.
Columbia won the boys' meet with 71 points, followed by Lititz Christian with 43 points and the Christian School of York with 32.
In the girls' meet, the Tide had  74 points, followed by Lititz with 25 and CSY with 12.
There were a number of events that were not contested or had one or two competitors.
First place finishers for the Tide girls: Rachel Knighton (1,600); Audreana Edmond (400), Rachel Hall (300 hurdles); Rebecca Kuhn (800); Nicole Bowman (high jump and long jump), and Kelsy Ulrich (shot put, discus and javelin).
Second place: Edmond (100 and 200); Shaday Frazier (400); Knighton (3,200) and Michelle Hall (shot put and javelin).
Third place: Frazier (100 and 200); Kuhn (400); Rachel Hall (long jump) and Kolyana Mimnall (shot put, discus and javelin).
First place for Tide boys: 3,200-meter relay (Markis Harrison, Tony Barton, Alan Foehlinger and Derek Zercher); Jerermy Daise (100); David Wells (300 hurdles); Brandon Felus (shot put, discus and javelin).
Second place: Well (100); Zercher (1,600); Foehlinger (300 hurdles); Harrison (800); 1,600-meter relay team and John Bosley (discus and javelin).
Third Place: Harrison (400) and Jeremy Beckley (long jump).
Fourth Place: Tony Barton (1,600); Daise (200).

Tide falls again in softball

:It was a tough one today," said Columbia softball coach Brad Brubaker.
.Manheim Central defeated Columbia 5-1 in a Section3-4 crossover game in Manheim today.
Emily Detz battled with a 7 strikeout, 1 walk performance, giving up 6 hits. "She was hit by a line drive in the hip in the third inning, but remained in the game," Brubaker said.
Freshman catcher Ashlyn Phillips, who was hit in the dugout area with a line drive foul ball in the top of the first inning, went 2-3 and drove in the Tide's lone run with a one-out single in the third inning, plating Detz who had walked.
Columbia could only muster three hits and three walks on the offensive side.

The loss drops Columbia to 5-2 in league play and 7-3 overall.

Columbia's weekly police reports


JOHN N. MORRISON, 62, OF RED LION, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, AT NORTH THIRD AND LINDEN STREETS, AT 5:38 P.M., APRIL 12.

MARCELLUS BYAS, 47, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVERS REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF SOUTH THIRD STREET, AT 8:43 P.M., APRIL 12.

BRIAN JACYSZYN, 26, OF CONESTOGA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT ROUTE 441 SOUTH AND PERRY STREET, AT 4:15P.M., APRIL 12.

FRANKIE RIVERA, 30, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR REQUIRED FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; UNAUTHORIZED TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION; AND FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF CHERRY STREET, AT 9:08 P.M., APRIL 12.

ERNEST T. CONNOR, 53, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT 12TH AND MANOR STREETS, AT 10: 54 P.M., APRIL 12.

BRADLEY A. GROFF, 41, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS AT FRONT AND PERRY STREETS, AT 9:18 A.M., APRIL

SANDRA B. GARCIA, 42, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES IN THE 900 BLOCK OF LANCASTER AVENUE, AT 7:45 A.M., APRIL 13.

MICHAEL K. ALLISON, 33, OF CONESTOGA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT FOURTH AND LOCUST STREETS, AT 8:15 P.M., APRIL 13.

MARY C. HENRY, 36, OF MOUNT JOY, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING VEHICLE AT SAFE SPEED AND FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE FIRST BLOCK OF SOUTH FOURTH STREET, AT 12:18 A.M., APRIL 14.

A 15 YEAR OLD COLUMBIA MALE, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED AND FOR DRIVERS REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED IN THE 400 BLOCK OF LOCUST STREET, AT 4:06 P.M., APRIL 15.

SARAH PATRICIA THRAN, 26, OF MARIETTA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT ROUTE 30 EAST AND 441, AT 3:46 P.M., APRIL 15.

CALVIN E. BEAMESDERFER, 76, OF MYERSTOWN, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT SIXTH AND LOCUST STREETS, AT 7:48 A.M., APRIL 15.

KEVON BARRY FREY, 49, OF RED LION, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS, ON ROUTE 30 EAST, AT2:38 P.M., APRIL 15.

JARRETT MICHAEL BAYMAN, 21, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR TURNING MOVEMENT AND REQUIRED SIGNALS, IN THE 100 BLOCK OF NORTH SEVENTH STREET, AT 3:33 P.M., APRIL 16.

DONALD LEE HEINAMAN, 52, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS, AT MUSSER’S MARKET, 960 LANCASTER AVENUE, AT 7:18 P.M., APRIL 16.

TRACY L. FINEFROCK, 49, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR REQUIRED FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, AT CHERRY STREET AND ROUTE 462, AT 4:23 P.., APRIL 16.

KEVIN MAURICE SPRIGGS, 45, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT SECOND AND WALNUT STREETS, AT 7:34 P.M., APRIL 16.

CHRISTOPHER D. BOWMAN, 27, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 400 BLOCK OF CHERRY STREET, AT 12:41 A.M., APRIL 19.

HARRY ARTHUR LAIRD, JR., 45, OF MANHEIM, WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS AT SECOND AND MILL STREETS, AT 1:58 A.M., APRIL 17.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

L-L Coaching chances since Goodling came to HHS

Twenty-five years in a long time to stay in coaching. But that's how Long Warren Goodling has been at Hempfield.
Over those 25 years, each team in the L-L League has changed coaches at least once.
Here is a list:
CV, McCaskey and Township have had two coaches.
Three -- Cedar Crest, L-S and Lebanon Catholic.
Five -- Ephrata, Pequea Valley, Cocalico, Northern Lebanon and Lancaster Mennonite.
Six -- Penn Manor, Solanco, Warwick, Lancaster Catholic, Columbia (can you name them?), Donegal and Elco.
Seven -- Central, Annville-Cleona, Garden Spot, Lebanon.
10 - E-town.