It's time to salute tomatos as the Washington Boro Fire Company will hold its annual Tomato Festivals, the next two Saturday nights. http://www.everything-tomatoes.net/2010-washington-boro.html
Here is another link: http://www.wbfc78.org/tomato.php
Monday, July 5, 2010
The survey is asking?
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Columbia Market House on Facebook
Traffic woes in Columbia
Wonder if this applies to Columbia's meters?
In reading variuous newspapers across the state as I do almost daily, I found this in the York Daily Record and wonderingif Columbia is in the same boat? http://www.ydr.com/ci_15435744
Saturday, July 3, 2010
This is illegal
A Columbia tradition
Friday, July 2, 2010
COLUMBIA TALK in numbers
When I started COLUMBIA TALK back in early February, I did it to help keep Columbians informed about things going on in our town, since we no longer have a newspaper.
I didn;t know what to expect and to be honest with you, I thought perhaps there would be a couple of hits a day. Well, five months into the process, it has surpassed what I thought. As of this writing, COLUMBIA TALK has had 35,156 hits and the comments made on certain issues have been enlighting to many and apparently keeping people on their toes, where in fact I received an email this afternoon from a political figure, who was reading COLUMBIA TALK, said COLUMBIA TALK is doing more harm than good and he was going to stop reading.
There is a lot going on in our town and there is a lot of good things happening and will happen. I think the Turkey Hill Experience is one, even though like most in town, I am a little cautious about it. I do read all the comments that are posted and sent to COLUMBIA TALK. Yes, there have been some that were deleted and many I agree with and some I do not.
I've been to various meetings in York, Lancaster and Chester Counties for three decades and I have seen a lot, heard a lot and shook my head a lot, not only here in our great town, but other areas as well. I've seen people come and go; people that really should have stayed here and people who should have never been let into town. Yes, I am one of those who wants to take our town back and see it prosper. We need to work together to succeed, but, there are issues in our town, which are making it a "house divided," which is sad.
I understand the feelings of everyone good and bad, so enough for the soap box. Perhaps each day or week, I might start throwing an idea or two out there to see how it takes. It's all part of a bigger plan.
Any way, I have added a statistical column to COLUMBIA TALK. I can look and see how any hits there are a day, a week or month; what the most popular reads are and where the hits are coming from (not addresses). Like just today, there were 925 visitors to the site and 920 yesterday.
All I can say thank you to those who have "hit" this site and keep reading and I will keep posting.
I didn;t know what to expect and to be honest with you, I thought perhaps there would be a couple of hits a day. Well, five months into the process, it has surpassed what I thought. As of this writing, COLUMBIA TALK has had 35,156 hits and the comments made on certain issues have been enlighting to many and apparently keeping people on their toes, where in fact I received an email this afternoon from a political figure, who was reading COLUMBIA TALK, said COLUMBIA TALK is doing more harm than good and he was going to stop reading.
There is a lot going on in our town and there is a lot of good things happening and will happen. I think the Turkey Hill Experience is one, even though like most in town, I am a little cautious about it. I do read all the comments that are posted and sent to COLUMBIA TALK. Yes, there have been some that were deleted and many I agree with and some I do not.
I've been to various meetings in York, Lancaster and Chester Counties for three decades and I have seen a lot, heard a lot and shook my head a lot, not only here in our great town, but other areas as well. I've seen people come and go; people that really should have stayed here and people who should have never been let into town. Yes, I am one of those who wants to take our town back and see it prosper. We need to work together to succeed, but, there are issues in our town, which are making it a "house divided," which is sad.
I understand the feelings of everyone good and bad, so enough for the soap box. Perhaps each day or week, I might start throwing an idea or two out there to see how it takes. It's all part of a bigger plan.
Any way, I have added a statistical column to COLUMBIA TALK. I can look and see how any hits there are a day, a week or month; what the most popular reads are and where the hits are coming from (not addresses). Like just today, there were 925 visitors to the site and 920 yesterday.
All I can say thank you to those who have "hit" this site and keep reading and I will keep posting.
Friday stuff
Columbia Borough allows its employees to park for free in the borough parking lot near the market. I have reserved feelings about that, one especeially when we are trying to draw people downtown, especially to thre market and there's no place to park.
But are employees or park enforcement people allowed to park say in the area of Fourth and Locust or other areas not within the confines of the municipal area and not plug the meters? It was something that was approached to a borough official earlier this week that it just doesn't look kosher, especially when the person is going around town giving tickets for not slugging the meters. Perhaps if the employee would park where the others do, this wouldn't be an issue, or perhaps, the borough should utilize another parking area for employees.
*****
Went to the Market again today, had to getsome more cherries ($1.99 a pound at Keagy's) and spoke fro about 30 minutes or so with new market manager Brian Long. He does have some ideas and has already started a Facebook page for the market. Improvement to the market isn't going to happen overnight and he won't be "run over" by Columbia's political games. But there is a plan in place. Stop by and meet him and talk with him.
But are employees or park enforcement people allowed to park say in the area of Fourth and Locust or other areas not within the confines of the municipal area and not plug the meters? It was something that was approached to a borough official earlier this week that it just doesn't look kosher, especially when the person is going around town giving tickets for not slugging the meters. Perhaps if the employee would park where the others do, this wouldn't be an issue, or perhaps, the borough should utilize another parking area for employees.
*****
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Should there be a concern?
When downtown this morning and speaking to a law enforcement officer, I was informed that a nuisance bar in the 400 block of Locust Street is planning a Hip-Hop/Party next Friday. There is a concern that something could happen and it might be nice to have some extra officers on call to help those working the streets next Friday, but, the extra manpower request might be denied. Perhaps it might be a good idea to put some extra police on the streets, just in case.
Wrightsville's holiday plans
Fireworks set for Wrightsville. http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=35573
Marietta July 4th information
The Pioneer Fire Company of Marietta will host the town;s July 4th celebration. http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=35573
Market was active
Water is flowing
A West Nile Virus possibility
Blue skies and happy trails
More trash dropped
Hearing held in shooting
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Today along the river
Today at River Park, there were people fishing, riding their boats, borough workers removing graffitti and weeds and other workers getting ready to put the lights in. And plenty of wildlife walking.
Council seeks deal with railroad
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| If Columbia Borough Council and the Norfolk Southern Railroad can agree to the purchase of 14 acres of land between the two bridges, the Locust Street Railroada crossing will be closed as part of the agreement. |
At a special meeting Tuesday night, Columbia Borough Council approved pursuing a contract with the Norfolk Southern Railroad for the purchase of 14 acres of land between the two inter-county bridges.
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| This is the access road that will have to be kept open as part of the pending agreement. |
Council made its decision to pursue the purchase following a 30-minute executive session during Tuesday’s meeting.
As part of the pending purchase, which Norfolk Southern still must approve, the borough must erect a chain link fence on the property and keep an access road near the railroad tracks open from Walnut Street, south to Union Street and close the Locust Street crossing.
The purchase of the land not only will be used as part of the River Park expansion project, but also the Route 441 relocation, which will probably happen sometime in 2012 and the Northwest River Trail project, which will link Columbia to Marietta.
In addition to hearing comments from members of the council, President Mary Wickenheiser opened the floor to citizens. Tim Swartz and Frank Doutrich, both former members of the council questioned liability concerns and when Columbia could back out of the project.
Resident Kent Lutz questioned the need to purchase the property, while another resident Harry Knighton asked if the money used for the purchase can be used in other areas of the borough for road and infrastructure improvements.
Mayor Leo Lutz said money planned for the project could not be used for something else.
“The river is what made Columbia and the river is our future. We looked at this development as a way to spur economic development elsewhere in this borough,” said Wickenheiser.
“Why are we spending money for something we don’t need,” said Austin Hogentogler, resident.
Wickenheiser said the park is busy, especially on weekend, where people from at least rive counties use the facility.
Lance Nobile, another resident, criticized the council for the current River Park plan.
“It’s in terrible condition,” he said.
“The project was not in the best interest of the community and not a wise decision,” he continued.
Columbia holding Blanket Drive
With your help, together we can comfort our community this winter.
Thank you and let's share the warmth.
Blankets will be distributed in early November 2010
For donation information or to volunteer your time, please call : (717)-685-9223 or email: blanketcolumbia@gmail.com.
Is This What We Want?
This picture was supplied by Columbia Borough of an apartment complex' trash at Third and Union streets, which was cleaned up by the borough following a complaint.
Council says no to THE request
At a special meeting Tuesday night, borough council did just that, they said no.
The “no” came after a request from Bill Roberts of Museum Partners, the developer of the Turkey Hill Experience, who was asking the borough to loan his group $150,000 so it can continue plans to make the project a “green” project with the installation of a solar energy system.
Actually, there was no vote on the request. After a presentation from Roberts, discussion among council members and citizens, the request could not get a motion or second from the council, thus denying the request.
“We’ve done all we can to support this project. Even making a loan would over extend us. We regret we can’t approve your request,” said Mary Wickenheiser, council president as the end of the discussion.
The two big reasons for the denial were the borough’s finances and a minor fact, the borough was just hearing the request fro Roberts for the first time.
Roberts told the council he’s been involved with the project for four years and the money would be used to install solar panels on the building to make it “electric efficient.”
He said the planning for the solar panels started too late and the window of opportunity to get a grant from the state closed. He was looking to get the $150,000 through a state grant and a similar amount in a federal tax credit.
“I understand it will be a difficult decision. This will be world class building and if you can help, it would be much appreciated,” Roberts said.
Roberts said the borough could release the funds through the Columbia Economic Development Corporation, who brokered the deal, and it would be paid back.
“If we do not do this, where does that leave the solar project?” asked Mary Barninger, council woman.
Roberts said the solar project would be down scaled and wouldn’t produce much electric.
Mayor Leo Lutz said there might be other options to consider and hoped the borough would help Museum Partners investigate those options.
Roberts said he had exhausted all funding sources for the solar project and the time frame to have the building completed by Feb. 1, 2011 left him “pressed for time.”
Resident Frank Doutrich, a former member of the council, spoke about the money.
“Where are we going to get the money?” Doutrich asked.
“The borough has done more than its fair share. We’ve done enough,” said Vern Detz, another former council member.
Another resident Austin Hogentogler said he doesn’t like paying for someone else’s property.
“I am tired of paying high taxes for someone else’s property,” Hogentogler said.
Wickenheiser said don’t blame the borough for the high taxes.
“School taxes are three times higher than municipal taxes. I think we are doing a good job managing finances in this town,” the council president said.
“It’s the school district that is killing this town,” said Mike Beury, councilmen said.
Keith Lutz is president of CEDC.
He explained the financing for the project and offered to sit down with anyone to discuss it.
He explained the request from Roberts came in the last 10 days and offered to see how his group could help.
“We’re all ready for this building to be built and this was the fastest way to get this done. In three years, there won’t be a single person who will say this is a bad project,” Lutz said.
Lutz even suggested the borough give THE $150,000 as a loan.
“Were do we come up with $150,000. That’s big for me,” Wickenheiser said.
Borough Manager Norm Meiskey suggested taking the money out of the borough’s reserve fund.
“We have supported this project 210 percent, but this would hurt the borough financially,” said Sandy Duncan, council woman.
“If you want to see Columbia Borough move forward, you will have to invest in your community. This is a big project and a lot of things can happen because of it,” said Mayor Lutz, just before Wickenheiser asked for a motion.
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