Saturday, July 17, 2010
General from Columbia dies
Major General Frank H. Smoker, one of the genrerals and admirals, who hailed from Columbia has died.http://obits.lancasteronline.com/index.php?p=2546955
Friday, July 16, 2010
I'm back and here is something to ponder
Except when I was in the hospital and a handful of other times, I’ve been attending borough council meetings in our town for 26 years.
I’ve seen a lot of councils come and go. I’ve seen a lot of people serve our great town, who did a great job and others I have wondered why they have even run. Yes, being on borough council or school board is a thankless job. More headaches than pats on the back.
With that said, here are a couple of things to think about on how our council meetings are conducted.
First off, I don’t like the current citizen comment format, because its just my impression but it leads to a notion that things are being covered up. Council needs to open up the line of communication and not make its citizens (i.e., the people who elected them) wait a month to contradict what a member of borough council says. I am not saying, there has to be banter back and forth, but loosen the reigns a little bit.
Second, unlike what Borough Manager Norm Meiskey said two months that citizens don’t have to pre-register to speak at the meetings, I think if people feel its important to speak, they should have the right to register ahead of time.
Third, I know this will be controversial. But, citizen comment needs to be limited. I’m not saying five-minutes per speaker, but maybe 90 minutes for the entire comment period.
Now, let’s move on. There are different thoughts on this and I’ve been to a number of municipal meetings throughout Lancaster, York and Chester counties. Some have their department heads at meetings, others don’t. Some have their attorney at the meetings, some don ‘t and others have their solicitor issues at the beginning of the meeting, then they leave. Here, we have our attorney sit through the entire meeting and when it comes time for him to give his report, there is usually nothing. So, the question here, why not have the solicitor speak at the beginning of the meeting and get hin out of the meeting. Remember, the money clock is running.
Also think, the department heads should be at the monthly meetings as well.
Now, the various committee reports. Why not make the meeting minutes and agendas from those meetings available to the public to pick up at the meeting. That way, those who attend just the monthly meetings may understand what happens. As I understand it now, all committee meeting minutes go to the council president.
Speaking of meeting minutes and agendas, why not make them available to the citizens ahead of time. Use the borough web page or have print outs available at the meetings.
Now, let’s have one other addition to the meeting, which is at the end of the meetings – the part where it says reports from boards, commissions and authorities. Here usually are none. So, let’s have them give or provide reports for meetings.
And as for inviting citizens to the various committee meetings, just open things up a little and stop the secrecy. I also understand why the citizens get invited to the council committee meetings and I’m not sure I like it. But, here’s my theory. They want citizens to come to the monthly committee meetings because they are rarely covered by the local press. And I know for a fact, there are those in charge of our town, you just would assume that no one would come to any meetings and there would be no coverage in the newspaper, television or other media, so they can do things “their way.” But that will be denied as well. And that is just sad.
Perhaps I’m asking too much, but Columbia Borough has to be more open with its citizens and not make them feel like they are not being heard. On the same token, our citizens need to do the same thing, try to respect our borough council and maybe it’s not too late to turn things around.
Still, if there are others who sit at the head table who don’t like how things are being run, speak up and don’t be afraid to step to the plate.
I’ve seen a lot of councils come and go. I’ve seen a lot of people serve our great town, who did a great job and others I have wondered why they have even run. Yes, being on borough council or school board is a thankless job. More headaches than pats on the back.
With that said, here are a couple of things to think about on how our council meetings are conducted.
First off, I don’t like the current citizen comment format, because its just my impression but it leads to a notion that things are being covered up. Council needs to open up the line of communication and not make its citizens (i.e., the people who elected them) wait a month to contradict what a member of borough council says. I am not saying, there has to be banter back and forth, but loosen the reigns a little bit.
Second, unlike what Borough Manager Norm Meiskey said two months that citizens don’t have to pre-register to speak at the meetings, I think if people feel its important to speak, they should have the right to register ahead of time.
Third, I know this will be controversial. But, citizen comment needs to be limited. I’m not saying five-minutes per speaker, but maybe 90 minutes for the entire comment period.
Now, let’s move on. There are different thoughts on this and I’ve been to a number of municipal meetings throughout Lancaster, York and Chester counties. Some have their department heads at meetings, others don’t. Some have their attorney at the meetings, some don ‘t and others have their solicitor issues at the beginning of the meeting, then they leave. Here, we have our attorney sit through the entire meeting and when it comes time for him to give his report, there is usually nothing. So, the question here, why not have the solicitor speak at the beginning of the meeting and get hin out of the meeting. Remember, the money clock is running.
Also think, the department heads should be at the monthly meetings as well.
Now, the various committee reports. Why not make the meeting minutes and agendas from those meetings available to the public to pick up at the meeting. That way, those who attend just the monthly meetings may understand what happens. As I understand it now, all committee meeting minutes go to the council president.
Speaking of meeting minutes and agendas, why not make them available to the citizens ahead of time. Use the borough web page or have print outs available at the meetings.
Now, let’s have one other addition to the meeting, which is at the end of the meetings – the part where it says reports from boards, commissions and authorities. Here usually are none. So, let’s have them give or provide reports for meetings.
And as for inviting citizens to the various committee meetings, just open things up a little and stop the secrecy. I also understand why the citizens get invited to the council committee meetings and I’m not sure I like it. But, here’s my theory. They want citizens to come to the monthly committee meetings because they are rarely covered by the local press. And I know for a fact, there are those in charge of our town, you just would assume that no one would come to any meetings and there would be no coverage in the newspaper, television or other media, so they can do things “their way.” But that will be denied as well. And that is just sad.
Perhaps I’m asking too much, but Columbia Borough has to be more open with its citizens and not make them feel like they are not being heard. On the same token, our citizens need to do the same thing, try to respect our borough council and maybe it’s not too late to turn things around.
Still, if there are others who sit at the head table who don’t like how things are being run, speak up and don’t be afraid to step to the plate.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Burglary in town
A Burglary just occurred within the past two hours in the 200 Block of N. 3rd St.
Two large T.V.'s were taken.
Anyone who may have witnessed this or that has any information is asked to call Columbia Police. 684-7735
Two large T.V.'s were taken.
Anyone who may have witnessed this or that has any information is asked to call Columbia Police. 684-7735
Agreements needed for bridge repairs
Here is a story from the York Daily Record: http://www.ydr.com/ci_15515739
Help the team out
Please help the Smitrh's Hotel baseball team: http://www.ydr.com/sports?_requestid=552090
News from the Really Deep South
Here's a story from Alabama about a former Columbian: http://progress.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20100714/PROGRESS04/7140340/1002/sports
SERT team respons to Mountville
The Lancaster County SERT team was involved in an incident in Mountville: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/265926
Weekly Columbia Police reports -- so who got busted?
VINCENT MICHAEL MELEY, AGE 27, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FOR AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED IN THE 200 BLOCK OF SOUTH THIRD STREET, 2:21 A.M., JULY 3..
HE WAS TAKEN TO CENTRAL BOOKING IN LANCASTER, ARRAIGNED AND COMITTED TO L.C.P. IN LIEU OF $7,500 BAIL.
LUKE HENRY GROVE, AGE 28, OF LOGANVILLE, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS & YIELD SIGNS, AT ROUTE 30 AND LINDEN STREET, 6:48 A.M., JULY 7.
SPANKY DIVIDO, AGE 30, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 900 BLOCK OF LANCASTER AVENUE, 1:18 S.M., JULY 7..
CRYSTAL DAWN SMITH, AGE 27, OF WRIGHTSVILLE, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT ROUTE 441 AND PERRY STREET, 5:05 P.M., JUILY 7.
JONATHAN M. NAUSS, AGE 25, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT NORTH THIRD AND LINDEN STREETS, 4:40 A.M., JULY 8..
EDWARD JOSEPH HUDZIK, JR., AGE 55, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND WITH HARASSMENT, FOR AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED ON POPLAR STREET.
HE WAS ARRAIGNED AT LANCASTER CENTRAL BOOKING, JULY 8, AND COMITTED TO L.C.P., IN LIEU OF $2,500 STRAIGHT BAIL.
JENNIFER LYNN EISENHART, AGE 37, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED IN THE 1100 BLOCK OF CHESTNUT STREET, 2:50 A.M., JULY 11.
JULIE A. STROMBERG, AGE 39, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AND FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT ROUTE 441 AND PERRY STREET, 10:35 A.M., JULY 11.
COLUMBIA BORO. POLICE HAVE CITED MORE THAN FOUR JUVENILES, IN THE PAST WEEK, FOR CURFEW VIOLATIONS.
AGAIN, CURFEW HOURS ARE 10 P.M. FOR ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18, SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, AND 11 P.M. ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.
JOSEPH C. BUNNELL, III, AGE 27, OF CRALEY, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 800 BLOCK OF LANCASTER
AVENUE, 8:50 P.M., JULY 9..
GLORIA JEAN NIES, AGE 67, OF MOUNT JOY, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT ROUTE 441 AND PERRY STREET, 9:32 A.M.,JULY 11.
HE WAS TAKEN TO CENTRAL BOOKING IN LANCASTER, ARRAIGNED AND COMITTED TO L.C.P. IN LIEU OF $7,500 BAIL.
LUKE HENRY GROVE, AGE 28, OF LOGANVILLE, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS & YIELD SIGNS, AT ROUTE 30 AND LINDEN STREET, 6:48 A.M., JULY 7.
SPANKY DIVIDO, AGE 30, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 900 BLOCK OF LANCASTER AVENUE, 1:18 S.M., JULY 7..
CRYSTAL DAWN SMITH, AGE 27, OF WRIGHTSVILLE, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT ROUTE 441 AND PERRY STREET, 5:05 P.M., JUILY 7.
JONATHAN M. NAUSS, AGE 25, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT NORTH THIRD AND LINDEN STREETS, 4:40 A.M., JULY 8..
EDWARD JOSEPH HUDZIK, JR., AGE 55, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND WITH HARASSMENT, FOR AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED ON POPLAR STREET.
HE WAS ARRAIGNED AT LANCASTER CENTRAL BOOKING, JULY 8, AND COMITTED TO L.C.P., IN LIEU OF $2,500 STRAIGHT BAIL.
JENNIFER LYNN EISENHART, AGE 37, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED IN THE 1100 BLOCK OF CHESTNUT STREET, 2:50 A.M., JULY 11.
JULIE A. STROMBERG, AGE 39, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AND FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT ROUTE 441 AND PERRY STREET, 10:35 A.M., JULY 11.
COLUMBIA BORO. POLICE HAVE CITED MORE THAN FOUR JUVENILES, IN THE PAST WEEK, FOR CURFEW VIOLATIONS.
AGAIN, CURFEW HOURS ARE 10 P.M. FOR ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18, SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, AND 11 P.M. ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.
JOSEPH C. BUNNELL, III, AGE 27, OF CRALEY, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 800 BLOCK OF LANCASTER
AVENUE, 8:50 P.M., JULY 9..
GLORIA JEAN NIES, AGE 67, OF MOUNT JOY, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT ROUTE 441 AND PERRY STREET, 9:32 A.M.,JULY 11.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Greetings all from South Carolina
Only three more days, well actually two after today as Friday is a travel day.
Hartsville is a nice place and has plenty of activities going on. It also has rained three of the five days I have been here (not today yet).
Been to McBee, Florence, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Georgetown, Mullin's Inlet to name a few.
A couple of things I've noticed that are a lot different than back home are: There are no weeds coming out of the sidewalks, including the downtown. All the streets are well kept and nice. Only saw one road project downhere.
The people down here are extremely friendly and helpful.
The only place I have seen parking meters is in Columnbia, which is the state capital. A quarter for 20 minutes.
It is very different down here. Hotter than a bugger, but I am handling it.
Got some ideas and thoughts to pass along once I get back about things that could work or at least tried in Columbia (PA).
More including some pictures when I return on Friday.
Hartsville is a nice place and has plenty of activities going on. It also has rained three of the five days I have been here (not today yet).
Been to McBee, Florence, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Georgetown, Mullin's Inlet to name a few.
A couple of things I've noticed that are a lot different than back home are: There are no weeds coming out of the sidewalks, including the downtown. All the streets are well kept and nice. Only saw one road project downhere.
The people down here are extremely friendly and helpful.
The only place I have seen parking meters is in Columnbia, which is the state capital. A quarter for 20 minutes.
It is very different down here. Hotter than a bugger, but I am handling it.
Got some ideas and thoughts to pass along once I get back about things that could work or at least tried in Columbia (PA).
More including some pictures when I return on Friday.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Borough Council Meeting of 7/12
Tonight’s meeting started as usual, and then it came to the exciting part. Citizen Comments is always, uh, interesting at least. The meeting itself was packed, only a few seats lay empty, and there was quite a bit of chair rearranging. Mr. Frank Doutrich was the first speaker, and started the meeting with a thanks/reprimand about the trees being trimmed down at the recently remodeled River Park. He was glad that they had been trimmed, but complained that we as a borough has the equipment and could have had it done much earlier. He quickly moved on to a query about the half-day closing of the borough offices on June 30th, and said that he had heard rumors on the street that it was for a party for the borough workers. Council President Mary Wickenheiser later confirmed that it was so, and it was later asked by Mr. Tony Mosteller if the party itself was paid for by the taxpayers. Borough Manager Norman Meiskey confirmed that the funds for the party were taken from the ‘Miscellaneous’ portion of the borough budget.
He also asked about the closing of 9 th St. today, and complained that the same state inspector was there as was on many other projects around town that were badly handled. President Wickenheiser said that they were simply milling out loops for the new lights to be placed. Mayor Lutz added that the lights on that street had been malfunctioning for quite a long time, and that the state had had engineers recommend new lights that will reduce car speed when flashing by eighty percent, compared to the fifty percent before. On the fun topic of the 441 relocation project, Mayor Lutz said that it is a Penn Dot project, and we as a town has no say in who works there and what can be done.
Two new part-time code officers were added to the roster, to supplement our full-time code officer. In addition, it was cleared that most properties lines in the borough go to the center of the street, with some exceptions. I always assumed such, but I guess this validates it. The topic of the contract was an object of much contention for a space of ten minutes or so, when Mr. Mosteller brought it up during his part of Citizen Comments. This was violently attacked by President Wickenheiser, during which she said that if the borough workers would just have a sit down, the Council will and has always been open to a contract. She also said that the borough finances are in limbo because they cannot calculate the costs for healthcare and other related things without said contract. The town debt was asked about by Mr. Vernon Detz, who alleged that the figure of 3.4 million was inaccurate, and was actually 5 million. Borough Manager Meiskey said that the figure is correct, and that the other debt is self-liquidating.
After the speakers were done, a representative of the Columbia Heritage River Cottage Association read a statement and asked that the parcel being gifted to the borough by Safe Harbor not be accepted, simply because the cottage owners did not believe that Columbia Borough had their best interests at heart. The lady who spoke lives in Lancaster, and admitted that she had never been to a meeting before. So we only care about Columbia when they can affect us in some way? Not on my watch. The only other thing of note was the approval to borrow $125,000 for repairs and upgrades in the Markethouse and borough, along with the purchase of two new police vehicles.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Introductions:
I figured that since I'm covering the Borough Council meeting tomorrow, and that I may be posting more in the future, that it would be polite to introduce myself. My name is Hillary Glenn. Many of you know me or know of me, yet some of you do not, and such is the need for this post. My late mother was Melissa Glenn, the Director of the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce until her untimely death in October of last year. My father is Kerry Glenn, whom you also may know. My mother was the Director for four years, during which she fought long and hard to improve our great town through bringing strong new businesses into our midst to support Columbia and revive it again. I am eighteen, and Barry Ford has been a family friend for as long as I can remember. I believe in this town, and I will not stand to let it fall into ruin, hence my part-time blogging position here at Columbia Talk. If you knew anything of my mother, you would know that I inherited this feeling from her. Columbia is my home, I learned to walk here, graduated from high school here, and I and many others hope to keep it alive and thriving, pushing through the red tape to reach the truth.
Anyway, tomorrow's Borough Council meeting will be covered by me, since Barry is sunning himself in South Carolina. I will put my best effort forward to bring you the news and all the news. Thanks for reading!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Out of the area
I will be out of the area for the next week enjoying some down time after a very trying year. I will have coverage of Monday's borough council meeting, so that won't go uncovered. I will be keeping an eye on things back here. Keep reading, keep sending your comments and I'll see everyone in a week.
Sidewalk Sales Days at Hinkles
Park Rangers plan detail
On Thursday, July 15, the Columbia Park Rangers will hold an evening work detail at Glatfelter Field, Twelfth Street and Lancaster Avenue starting at 6 p.m. Rangers will weed, edge, etc. the trees that are a 9/11 memorial at the front of Glatfelter Field facing Lancaster Avenue.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Almost Home
Remember this?
 |
| Let's not too do much complaining about the recent heat. It wasn't that long ago we were all complaining about 60 inches of snow. |
Barbecue is upcoming
The Holy Trinity Church will hold a chicken barbecue on Saturday, Aug. 14 from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Chicken can be picked up at the church lot or the Susquehanna Fire Company.
Dinners are $6.
For more informationm call 684-2711 or 684-2075
Chicken can be picked up at the church lot or the Susquehanna Fire Company.
Dinners are $6.
For more informationm call 684-2711 or 684-2075
New signs for new event
If M&T has been this busy
Another first for Columbia softball
More information
More from yesterday's police reports: :http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/263965
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