Saturday yard sale

There will be a yard sale on Saturday, July 31 from 8 a.m.-noon at 544 South 13th St.
Longaberger baskets with liners $10-50, pocketbooks, table (with no chairs). Corner Mantle for a gas insert are among some of the items.

River Park info

Information. limited at that, can be found here: http://www.derckandedson.com/portfolio/columbiaRiver.html

A positive story for Columbia

Here is a link to a WGAL story: http://www.wgal.com/video/24397515/index.html

Monday musings

So, just what exactly are the future plans for the River Park?


What's in Phase II? Phase III? How far along are the plans? Where is the money coming from?

Well today in town, a local businessman, who could benefit from the park’s expansion was running at the mouth, so to speak, about the future park and how is “ramping” up for the future.

This person was spouting off there are plans for an amphitheater, kiosks selling bait, coffee, food, etc.

I had heard this when plans for the park were first revealed, but since Phase I of the project isn’t completely done, how far along is Phase II and III?

The way this person was talking, he’s all but been guaranteed space for his business at the park and it seems the park has become the focus of this town.

But where is the money coming from? Grants? Loans or private financing?

This is something to keep an eye on, especially in light of the cottage owners, who are aware of borough plans to possibly take over the area.

******

I have written a lot and there have been plenty of comments about three huge issues in our town – borough council, code enforcement and police. Over the last few days, I’ve gotten a chance to speak with a member of the council and some officers.

First council, not all of the seven member governing body likes how meetings are run and what is being spent and other issues. But this council member I spoke with, wants to see changes and understands there has to be changes, but this person is in the minority, when it comes to being able to make those changes.

I’m just throwing this out there, if Columbia Borough has some council members who aren’t doing the job or employees, who aren’t performing up to par, why are they still there.

Also, last week when I posted the picture on road construction being done by the highway department in our town, I asked how many streets have been done this summer. The answer was there is a plan to do a number of streets, but the cost of asphalt is high right now, which might limit the number of streets.

So, not all of council is in agreement about how things are being run, but until others get on the bandwagon, changes might be tough.

As for code enforcement issues, I know the “powers to be” are checking this site for the latest problem areas. All well and good, but unless the four people now working in the code enforcement area get out of the office, drive/walk the community, there will be no changes. With the new employees, let’s wait and see if there is any difference. Until then, keep calling and posting the problem areas until there are results.

The same goes for police. Apparently the drug trade is or has been heating up in our town. Police can’t react to anything if you don’t call them. We were sharing with them a couple of recent stories and they want to know of the problems so they can react to them. The guys on the street want to make this town better and if they are not, it’s not because they aren’t trying, it’s because people aren’t calling or they are being held up by the “higher ups” in the borough.

*****

Finally today, I can remember when each summer when the yellow curbs were painted and the white lines on the streets and cross walks were painted as well. I know this is something minor, but it would go a long way toward cleaning up our town.

THE groundbreaking is Wednesday

There will be a groundbreaking at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 28 for the Turkey Hill Experience at Third and Linden streets.

Special meeting of council

Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of Columbia Borough Council will be held on Tuesday, July 27, at 7 p.m. (changed from 7/21/10) in the Borough Municipal Building, 308 Locust St., Columbia, PA to hold a public hearing to act on the revised PA Act 537 Sewage Facility Plan, and any other Borough business.
If you are a person with a disability wishing to attend and require an accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact the Borough Office at 684-2467

Raises tied to performances

This is from the York Daily Record: http://www.ydr.com/ci_15579320

Discussion on bridge repairs

Here is a story from the York Daily Record concerning improvements to the Route 462 Bridge. http://www.ydr.com/ci_15594263

At the car wash!

Child Safety seat check is held

A Child Safety Seat Check was held at the Kleen-Rite Car Wash, 16th Street and Lancaster Avenue.
Partners are SVEMS, Kleen-Rite Car Wash, Columbia Boro Police Department and Susquehanna Fire & Rescue Co. #4.

A little too much to drink!

Noticed this morning the water fountain was again flowing in the town square, perhaps because soeone had a little too much Natural Light overnight.

Booted

This car in the area of Fifth and Union streets was booted overnight.

If you think it was hot out today!

Art in the Park/Fourth Friday

Despite the heat, te Susquehanna Valley Chamberof Commerce held its first annual Art in the Park today, while downtown, a number of art galleries held their Monthly Fourth Friday.

Dumping ground

The are along side the Columbia Railroad at Mill and Florence streets has become a dumping ground for trash.

Chestnut Street Turkey Hill robbed at gun point

Scott Steven Hooten, 41, of Columbia was arrested following a brief foot pursuit this morning in connection with an armed robbery of the Turkey Hill store, 342 Chestnut St., around 3:30 a.m.


Hooten, who was arraigned before District Justice Robert Herman, on charges of robbery and resisting arrest, was also hospitalized for a brief time at Lancaster General Hospital, for breathing problems, after his capture.

Police Officers Matt Leddy and Brent Keyser said Hooten entered the store wearing a white t-shirt and blue jean shorts and displayed a firearm. An employee of the store turned over an undisclosed amount of cash and Hooten fled the store on foot.

Off. Keyser found the suspect walking East in the 400 block of Avenue H, two blocks from tne robbery. Police said Hooten disobeyed several verbal commands to stop walking, but fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, he was caught.

Thirsty Thursday Thoughts

Here are some Thirsty Thursday Thoughts:




The two new part-time Code Enforcement officials have started this week. One will work Saturday mornings. Columbia has one full-time and three part-time code officials now. Let’s see how much of a difference it will make. Time will be needed to see if this is the right approach or not.

Also visited the Market today. New Market Manager Brian Long was busy handing out tickets for a prize drawing next week. Check out the Market House on Facebook.

Finally, be warned – Columbia will be starting to check meters on a more regular basis next week. The part-time parking enforcement officer, hired in June, was trained this week and will work the afternoon shift, which means Monday through Thursday and Saturday, tickets can be given until 6 p.m. and Fridays until 9 p.m.

Weekend events

Here are some weekend activities in Columbia


Friday, 7:30 a.m., Columbia Rotary Club Golf Tournament at Four Seasons
Friday, 9 a.m., the Columbia Market House opens
Friday, 4 p.m. on – SVCC Art in the Park and Fourth Friday.
Saturday, 9 a.m., Risk Watch Child Safety Seat Check, Kleen-Rite Car Wash.
Saturday, 11 a.m., Chicken barbeque to benefit Central Pennsylvania MS Society, Glatfelter Field.

A Picture Postcard

This is the best view in town, no matter the season!

Getting ready for some football!

Pictured are members of the Columbia High School football team working out last night. Practice starts Aug. 16.

School construction continues

Pictured are some updated photos from the school construction at Columbia High School from the outside.
Updates are available here: http://www.rschooltoday.com/se3bin/clientgenie.cgi

Blanket Drive update

I know its 90 plus degrees outside, but here's an idea to help those in the winter:
In the heat of the summer it is easy to forget the chill of last winter, and the winter to come. The Columbia Blanket Drive will be collecting  new and gently used blankets which will be donated to our Columbia
residents in need. Please consider donating a blanket to our cause.
With your help, together we can comfort our community this winter.
* Blankets will be distributed in early November 2010.
* We ask that gently used blankets are freshly laundered and placed
in a plastic bag.
Our Blanket Drop Off Locations in Columbia:
Burning Bridge Antique Market 304 Walnut St.
Daily Grind Coffee Shop 438 Locust St.
Finders Keepers 438 Locust St.
Gator Zap Alter Ego Body Salon 444 Locust St.
Lady Bug Keepers 477 Locust St.
Modest Gallery 427 Locust St.
Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen 50 Lancaster Ave.
Thank you and let's share the warmth this winter.
For donation information or to volunteer your time  call: (717)685-9223 email: blanketcolumbia@gmail.com
Look for us on Facebook 

An idea

When I was down South, there were two things I noticed when I entered a town. There was a sign welcoming people and the town's water towers, such as the one at Third and Linden streets had letters welcoming it to a town. Just thought it would be a nice way to spruce up the town a little.

Weeds, weeds and more weeds

Even with four Code Enforcement Officials, work is going to be slow. Perhaps before making residents and property owners take care of their properties, the borough needs to get its house in order, by trimming its own weeds in the "parking lot" next to the forer Market Annex.

In the above photo, the sidewalk out in the East end of town is blocked by weeds.

Road work in town

Borough highway department workers were busy today making repairs and paving an area in the 500 block of Poplar Street.