What I've learned and what I want to do

Well, its been an interesting week to say the least. From getting out to the polls, waiting for the results, accepting congratulations through e-mail, Facebook and in person, I'm still very humbled and wanting to thank those who voted for me and tell everyone how honored I am to represent our great town for the next four years

As I have promised, I will work in the best interests of all 10,300 people of our fine town and work hard to improve this town. I know there are plenty of issues expressed to me during the campaign, with two of the biggest being code enforcement and parking.

Going back a step, one of the most surprising phone calls I got since Tuesday was yesterday from County Commissioner Craig Lehman. I was very surprised and had a nice talk about with the commissioner.

So what have I learned this week. There is a lot of work to do. I also learned that a local businessman wants an ordinance governing Pawn Shops that have popped up in the borough. His business was ripped off, he said, by one of those Pawn Shops and hopefully that, the theft can be settled through the legal system. I did read somewhere that Pawn Shops were discussed at the committee level.

Also learned there was a meeting at Our Lady of the Angels School held last week to discuss plans to go from two school buildings – the former St. Peter's and Holy Trinity, down to one building, at the Holy Trinity building. Costs and a decline in enrollment are factors. Here's something for those involved, which was brought to my attention yesterday. Since it looks like the St. Peter's building might be the one vacant, why not donate it to the Community Life Network, so there could be a year round shelter for the homeless, which appears to be a growing problem in our town.

Other than that, I have talked with a number of people, setting up meetings, with elected leaders and others, to discuss what has been done, can be done and will be done. I got plenty of questions too and ideas, which I will keep everyone updated on through COLUMBIA TALK.

Feel free to talk to me anytime, give me your suggestions and ideas. Get into the habit of attending meetings and becoming involved.

One thing I will ask, in addition to asking questions, give me and the council some solutions of how to address different issues. It's the only way I know how we can improve things in Columbia.

Again, thanks for your vote and I will work hard for you.

Millersburg at Columbia: How schedules compare

Millersburg Indians

Coach: Steve Boyer
Twin Valley League
Overall Record: 5-5
Conference Record: 4-4
Millersburg 42, Big Spring 29
Millersburg 33, Newport 13
Pine Grove 53, Millersburg 12
Williams Valley 34, Millersburg 7
Line Mountain 46, Millersburg 6
Millersburg 28, East Juniata 7
Millersburg 27, Tri-Valley 21
Millersburg 27, Upper Dauphin 14
Halifax 26, Millersburg 19
North Schuylkill 37, Millersburg 14

Columbia Crimson Tide
Head Coach: Michael Burke III
L-L League Section 3
Overall Record: 5-5

Conference Record: 2-4

Columbia 36, Eastern York 13
Columbia 20, Northeastern 8
Daniel Boone 42, Columbia 6
Columbia 24, Boiling Springs 21
Columbia 34, Elco 7
Northern Lebanon 42, Columbia 26
Columbia 34, Annville-Cleona 8
Lancaster Catholic 70, Columbia 25
Pequea Valley 34, Columbia 30
Donegal 49, Columbia 24
Millersburg Home Record: 3-2, Road Record: 2-3
Columbia Home Record: 3-2, Road Record: 2-3
Millersburg District 3 playoff teams played: NONE/.
Columbia District 3 playoff teams played: Northeastern, Boiling Springs, Daniel Boone, Lancaster Catholic and Donegal.
Millersburg Record vs. teams with winnig records: 0-4
Millersburg Record vs. teams with losing records: 4-1
Columbia record vs. teams with .500 or better records: 1-5
Columbia record vs. teams with losing record: 4-0
Millersburg First Quarter Points Scored: 42, Given Up: 84
Columbia First Quarter Points Scored: 51, Given Up: 91
Millersburg Second Quarter Points Scored: 41, Given Up: 45
Columbia Second Quarter Points Scored: 88, Given Up: 109
Millersburg Third Quarter Points Scored: 79, Given Up: 68
Columbia Third Quarter Points Scored: 73, Given Up: 24
Millersburg Fourth Quarter Points Scored: 53, Given Up: 77
Columbia Fourth Quarter Points Scored: 54, Given Up: 74
Millersburg AAAA teams played: None
AAA teams played: Big Spring, East Juniata
AA teams played: Newport, North Schuylkill
A teams played: Upper Dauphin, Halifax, Line Mountain, Tri-Valley, Williams Valley/.
Columbia AAAA teams played: Daniel Boone
AAA teams: Northeastern, Eastern York, Elco, Northern Lebanon, Donegal
AA teams: Lancaster Catholic, Boiling Springs and Pequea Valley.

Beware of phone scam

Columbia Police are asking residents to be aware of a phone scam targeting possibly older residents.

Police said they received a report late last week from an elderly woman, who received a telephone call stating she won $2.5 million.

Police said the caller had an old address for the woman and had called her twice. She was instructed to send $350 through UPS and when the caller persisted, the victim asked a few questions and was hung up on.

Police said they looked into the two phone numbers but they did not lead anywhere.

Anyone who may have received similar phone calls is asked to call police at 684-7735.

Columbia Police reports

Daniel Maldonado-Garcia, 22, Columbia, cited for driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked, driving with suspended registration, and operation of a vehicle without certificate of inspection in the 200 block of Locust Street, Nov. 3.

Richard F. Borden, Jr., 61, of Ephrata, cited for public drunkenness, on South Fourth Street, Oct. 29.

Amanda Jean Williams, 24, of Columbia, cited for public drunkenness, at Fourth and Cherry streets, Oct. 30.

Dennis Allen Stauffer Jr., 33, of Texas, cited for disorderly conduct at 10^th and Manor streets, Oct. 30.

Ralph Jarvis, 45, of Columbia, cited for registration and certification of title required, on Lancaster Avenue, Nov. 3.

Matthew Miles Leonard, 30, of Willow Street, cited for public drunkenness, in the 400 block of Locust Street, Nov. 3.

Beverly S. Wardlaw, 73, of Wrightsville, cited for obedience to traffic control signals, at Third and Chestnut streets, Oct. 25.

Gustavo Pena, 31, of Lancaster, cited for registration and certification of title required and operation of vehicle without official certificate of inspection, in the 400 block of Locust Street, Oct. 29.

Tammie L. Mutzabaugh, 44, of Columbia, cited for driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked, in the 600 block of Locust Street, Oct. 29.

Wade L. Beaver, 31, of Columbia, cited for drivers required to be licensed on Furnace Avenue, Oct. 29.

Joanie Rignel Dickson, 29, of Columbia, cited for obedience to traffic control devices, at Third and Locust streets, Oct. 30.

Nathaniel Smith, IV, 27, of Lancaster, cited for registration and certification of title required, on North Third Street, Nov. 1.

Michael S. Polek, 34, of Yoe, cited for obedience to traffic control devices, at Third and Linden streets, Nov. 2.

DUI check point busts 7

Seven people were charged with driving under the influence as the result of a DUI Sobriety Check held from 11:30 p.m., Nov 4 and 2:30 a.m., Nov 5 on Route 462 in the area of 18th Street in West Hempfield Township.
Police said 14 drivers were tested and in addition to the seven DUI charges, there were 12 summary citations given or for offenses such as inspection violations, registration and driving under suspension.
Assisting township police were officers from Columbia Borough, Manor Township, Mount Joy Borough, Lititz Borough and the Lancaster County DUI Task Force.

Columbia High School Drama Department to present

Columbia grad key to Ville's hoop success



Millersville University photo

Columbia grad Mike seibert is a key player on the Millersville University's men's basketball team: http://www.millersvilleathletics.com/news/2011/10/27/MBB_1027114323.aspx?path=mbball

Columbia grad part of championship team

Columbia gead Colby Tuell is a member of the championship football team at Kutztown: http://www.kubears.com/news/2011/11/12/FB_1112111730.aspx

Guiles alone in the record book at the Valley



From Lebanon Daily News

Columbia grad Ben Giiles played his final regular season home game at Lebanon Valley and it was a record setting day again. Also scoring for LVC was another Columbia gead Yahya McIntyre: http://godutchmen.com/news/2011/11/12/FB_1112110503.aspxLVC

11-11-11 Club holds annual service

This from WGAL: http://www.wgal.com/news/29746943/detail.html

Wrightsville considers fire tax

This from the York Dispatch: http://www.yorkdispatch.com/news/ci_19298177

A heartfelt thank you

Wow, what I day Tuesday was. It was something I never experienced before or did.
It was also very overwhelming and humble and a very big thank you to the voters of Columbia for electing me to a four-year term on Columbia Borough Council.
When I got into this earlier this year, I didn't know what to expect, really what to do. I love Columbia, never really looked to go anywhere else and don't really want too.
As I said throughout this, I am here for all 10,300 residents of our great borough and feel free to call me or talk to me or e-mail at anytime with your questions or concerns and I will try to get an answer or tell you my thoughts.
I would also ask patience as we move forward and I work with others to improve our town. It won't happen overnight, but I will work 24/7 to make this happen, that I will promise you.
I never thought I would ever get a position to serve Columbia again and I am looking forward to a new challenge in my life. I know our town, know what needs to be done and what from talking with different folks, what they would like to see, and with cooperation of everyone, we can get it done.
I thought I'd retire writing for the newspaper here in town and when the Columbia Ledger closed more than two years ago, the challenge of serving our town was gone, but now its back and I will do my best.
Yes, I will continue this endeavor with Columbia Talk and hold live chats and get you the information you need to know. This will be a huge asset of getting the word out to Columbia as we don't get the coverage we deserve.
Thanks Columbia, I am very humbled and ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

Last chance to talk before Tuesday

Tomorrow night from 7 to perhaps 9, it will be the last chance to chat Columbia befoe Tuesday's municipal election. The polls will open at 7 Tuesday morning and close at 8. If you feel, I can help Columbia move forward and become the great small town in Lancaster County and I can make the changes and improvements necessary to do that, vote for me.
Here is the link to the chat tomorrow night:

Is it a move that will hurt Columbia?

There are some towns around that have thriving downtowns and others who want to have thriving downtowns. I think Columbia is in the category of wanting to have a thiriving downtown.
However, if you noticed this month on thr back of sewer bills that were sent to property owners, sometime in the next month, the borough of Columbia will recalibrate its meters, changing the cost of parking in downtown from the current 25 cents for an hour or 50 cents for two hours to 25 cents for 30 minutes.
While it might be a surprise that this is happening now, its actually a plan that has been on the books for about two years and never followed through with. When talking with a borough official on Friday at the market, I was told this was approved two years ago and the previous occupant of one of the higher ranking posts in Columbia never follwoed through with the plan. Now, with a different person sitting in this position, he's finally getting around to cleaning up a mess he was left.
I'm downtown everyday and unless there are people and cars I don't see, we do not have a thriving downtown. We may in ther future, so for now, I hope council rconsiders this decision, until conditions improve. A couple of things I see happening, not including people coming downtown, is, one, those visiting will not come back to our town. Two, those who park downtown, will now look to park elsewhere where there are no meters, thus taking other parking spaces, which is legal, leading to other problems. Three, it will make downtown more of a ghost town more than it is some days.
No one knows for sure how much we collect in meter deposits, but one thing it will do is add more parking tickets, which will lead to citations from the local judge, which will line our financial pockets in the end. If that's how we have to get money in, that is sad.
Also talked with some business folks downtown. They were not aware of these plans until they got their sewer bills and don't remember being contacted for their thoughts on this issue. Again, this is not a good way to do business either/
Perhaps a better way would be to enforce our codes and get we will get more money from these fines.
I'm just not in favor of this decision and if voters choose to elect me on Tuesday, I will add this to my concenrs of how to improve our town.

What really has changed?

At last night's football game, Off. Brent Keyser (also a firefighter) gave me a copy of a newspaper that I had left in my car when I had my accident back in July 2009.
The title of the article was "The two sides of Columbia downtown." As I read the article from about two years ago, I got to asking myself what has changed and when I read it, the more it started to look like some of the things I've seen saying over the past few months while campaigning for a four-year term on borough council. I will priomise residents of our great town, I have been a tireless supporter of Columbia and will work hard to better Columbia. Here is that article.

Have you been through downtown Columbia lately? I have several times during the day and at night. Our town takes on two different personalities -- one by day and one by night. Go dtowntown during the day and there are people walking the street, more often than not willing to say "hello" or help the old folks across the street. The businesses tha are downtown are a beehive of activity for the most part. But when the working day ends, the town starts to change.
The people are less friendly walking the streets; the skateboarders and the bicyclists are out. Instead of people wantingto help you across the street, they'd rather make you run across the street. In a couple of areas in our downtown, there are people outside on the street in front of their buildings cooking outside with no care or the problems an open flame might bring. I saw some of this the last two Saturdays in our town and several nights when I dare go downtown. Heck, the other night, I even saw a resident on Locust Street trying to be a DJ, complete with blaring music, and trying to cook right out on the sidewalk.
I was in an e-mail conversation last week about these very problems and have been in a weekly or bi-weekly conversation at one of our downtown businesses, and I talked with a member of borough council about it Saturday at the craft show.
Last week, someone was told about parking a small scooter on the sidewalk outside a local business. (NOTE: THIS WAS WRITTEN BEFORE I HAD MY SCOOTER, SO IT WAS NOT ME) But yet we don't worry about the weeds growing up in our downtown and the paint chipping off buildings.
So how do we take back our downtown? We work together.
First, those out-of-town landlords must be sent a strong message. Columbia isn't going to tolerate buildings with chipping paint and weeds out front. We aren't going to tolerate renters who cook outside on our streets and it needs to be enforced with zero tolerance.
Second, when we see there is a problem, report it to the police or the borough so a paper trail can be developedd, and keep calling until something is done. And make sure you go through the appropriate channels.
Third, our borough council needs to send a strong message to those who wor for them -- codes and police -- that this is no longer going to be tolerated. No more Mr. or Mrs, Nice Guys.
Fourth,m zero tolerance is the only way to go. If the apartment dwellers aren't abiding by the rules and regulations, let's send them packing, and the same for the out-of-town landlords. If the message sent by the borough is strong enough, they'll either leave town to become someone else's problem or get with the program and become vital to our town's success.
It's time for the borough council to say enough is enough and some unannounced weekend, just go nuts and have our police and codes our arresting people for everything and anything downtown. It would be a start and then keep doing it!

Late surge pushes Camp Hill

Here are the final Class A power ratings: http://tripletdad33.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/class-a-template.pdf

Guiles goes for 200

Ben Guiles had another big day at the Valley and Yahya McIntyre caught two passes in the win: http://godutchmen.com/news/2011/11/5/FB_1105112922.aspx

Columbia Talk Live Chat

There's one week left before Tuesday's Municipal Election. Let's chat Columbia tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Honor Society inductions held on the hill



Members of the National and National Junior Honor Societies at Columbia High School.

Columbia High School held its inductions for the National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society in the cafeteria at the high school, Tuesday, Oct. 25.

John Hinkle Jr., owner of Hinkle's Pharmacy, was the featured speaker.

Inducted into the National Junior Honor Society were: Emily Anderson and Ileen Smith, freshmen; Nevin Khalil, Madison Misel, Jailyn Phiel, Ayanna Vazquez and Kylee Weber, eighth grade.

Inducted into the National Honor Society were: Alexis Eckman and Jennifer Marcello, seniors; Ashlyn Phillips, Adam Mowrer and Alex Mutzabaugh, juniors; Jeffery Carroll, Taylor Conroy, Megan Seibert and Alex Slick, sophomores.

Elizabeth Lee is the present member of the National Junior Honor Society.

Present members of the National Honor Society are Nicole Bowman, Benjamin Hank, Emily Hooper, Zachary Jones, Mikayla Kemmerly, Rachael Knighton, Marissa Loreto, William Meyers, Kamal Narouz and Marilyn Ngo, seniors; Jeremy Beckley, Andrew Combs, Mairym Cruz-Bernard, Emily Groft, Nicholas Nobile, Jackie Manley and Jenna Plastino, juniors.

Advisors are Jodie Eck, Linda Eckman and James Clark.

Still in first

Despite back to back losses, Columbia still holds Class A lead: http://tripletdad33.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/fb-1a-wk9.pdf

Weather delayed Hall of Fame inductions are Friday

Columbia High School will finally hold its fourth annual Athletic Hall of Fame inductions on Friday, when the Crimson Tide hosts Donegal in the final game of the regular season.
A reception will be held in the cafeteria prior to the game, starting at 5 o'lock and the inductees willl be official enshrined at halftime of the game.
The lone team to be inducted is the 1970 football team, which went 10-0 and was known as the Big Red Machine.
Only two teams came within a touchdown of defeating the Tide,
Jack Yohe was the coach of the team, who scored 369 points, while giving up 69.
Eighteen different played from the team received either first team, second team or honorable mention All-County status. Co-captain Steve Ward and Jessel Hollingsworth were also awarded All-State honors.
Aaron Anspach was six time letter winner in football and wrestling.
During his three years as a starter, the football team compiled a record of 19-4. The team was 11-1 in his senior year (he was team co-captain) and won the Section Three Championship and were District runners-up.He was named to the All-League team in 2000 and 2001. He was second team All-State as a defensive end in 2001.Aaron spent five years wrestling for the Tide. As a Junior he had a record of 35-9 and he won the Sectional and League Championships as a heavyweight. He finished eighth in the State Tournament that year. As a Senior, Aaron was 39-1and won Sectional, League and Regional Championships. He was second in the State meet, losing in overtime in his final match. His wrestling prowess won him a scholarship to Penn State.
Lamar Kauffman won seven varsity letters at CHS for football, basketball and track.
In football, he was quarterback and safety on the 1954 and ’55 Conference of Roses championship teams. The team was 18-2 during those seasons. He was named to the all-county team in 1955.
He was a three-year starter for the basketball team. The team was 45-11 during those years. The ’54 team captured Section I and Lancaster County Championships. He wasteam captain in 1955 and was named first team all-county.
His 1954 and ’55 track squads won District titles. He threw javelin and competed in the pole vault.
After college, he returned to CHS as a teacher and coach of both football and basketball.
Donald Schoelkopf won eight varsity letters (2 basketball, 3 football, 3 track)
He was the Single season passing yardage record holder – 1803 yards – 1985. 1856 yards in 1986. and Single season TD record – 20 in 1986 and was first team all-section quarterback in 1986.
He is the current school record holder for javelin – 200’2” and in 1984 – 5th place District 3 AA javelin and in 1985 – first place District 3 AA javelin; fifth place in states and in 1986 – Lancaster-Lebanon League champ, \first place District 3 AA javelin; third place states
Glenn Von Stetten won three varsity letters in each of three sports – football, basketball and track.
He co-captained the 1943 and ’44 football teams. The team was the Lancaster County Champs in 1943. Glenn was All-County first team in 1942, ’43 and ’44. The 1941 team, of which he was a member, was undefeated.
His 1945 basketball team won the Lancaster County championship. He was named to the All-County team and was named to the 2nd team All-State that year.

A letter from PPL

Dear Customer,
The heavy, wet snow that fell all day long Saturday weighed down trees and power lines throughout our service area, causing widespread damage to our delivery system. It resulted in more than 300,000 power outages.
With the numerous outages, you may have lost power temporarily, may still be without power, or may have neighbors, family and friends coping without electricity.
We appreciate your patience and understanding. We know how trying it is, and we want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible.
We have assembled all available PPL Electric personnel. Additionally, nearly 300 crews are joining us from other utilities to assist with the cleanup and restoration effort. More utility workers from as far away as Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee are on their way.
As of Sunday afternoon, we had restored power to more than 140,000 customers. Still, we have nearly 3,000 cases of damaged equipment that must be repaired. Damage is particularly severe in the Lehigh Valley region and has affected nearly a dozen transmission lines that supply power to large numbers of customers.  Downed trees and limbs have made it extremely difficult for crews to even access our lines in some cases.
With a storm of this magnitude, it could take days before we can restore service to the final affected customers. We are assessing damage by foot, by vehicle and by helicopter patrols. We're working to develop estimates of when power may be restored for each individual case. We're prioritizing work and focusing first on repairs that can restore power to the largest numbers of customers. As we do, please keep yourself and your family safe by staying clear of downed power lines.
The unprecedented string of severe weather the last two months has caused repeated inconvenience and frustration. We can't say enough how much we appreciate your patience and perseverance through these trying times.
Sincerely,

Bernie Molchany
Director, Customer Operations
PPL Electric Utilities

District Three volleyball pairings are set

Here is a link to the 2011 District 3 Class A volleyball playoffs. It's the first time since 20003 that the Tide has been in the post-season: http://tripletdad33.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/2011-2012-district-3-a-girls-volleyball-bracket.pdf

Be alert

Police in Columbia and West Hempfield Township are lookig for a WHITE VAN, who has been seen between Oct. 24 and 26 around school bus stops or approaching students walking to school.
The two males in the truck attempt to stike up a conversation with the students.
Anyone who may have witnessed these events is asked to call police at either 684-7735 or 285-5191.

Live chat at the Market

Leading up to the grand reopening of the Columbia Market, let's chat. I'm located at stand 8, right up from the lunch meat stand and across from the dog treat stand: