Any thoughts?

Here is a story from PennLive, about Middletown Borough Council not wanting to be contacted: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/08/middletown_council_members_kee.html

Baptism held at River Park

The Ashley Tabernacle Church of God in Christ and their associates held their annual baptism at River Park today

Scenes today at River Park

CHS administrator to leave

COLUMBIA TALK has learned that Nathan McGlynn, the assistant principal at Columbia High School, has submitted his resignation.
McGlynn will take an assistant principal's position at the Red Land High School in the West Shore School District.

CBAA to hold yard sale

The Columbia Boys Athletic Association is holding its 1st Annual Fall Yard Sale and Flea Market, Saturday, Sept. 18. If you would like a 20x20 stand for $20, please contact Robin Ortman at 717-314-2714 by September 10. Spaces under the pavilion can be secured on a first come first serve basis. No food vendors please. The concession stand will be open and all proceeds will benefit the Columbia Boys Athletic Association. September 19 has been selected as a rain date.

This week's happenings and more

Here are a list of upcoming events:

Monday, Aug. 8, 7 p.m., Columbia Borough Council meeting, 308 Locust St.
Thursday, Aug. 12, 7 p.m., Columbia School Board Committee of the Whole meeting, 200 North Fifth St.
Saturday, Aug. 14, 9-11:30 a.m., town canvass for the Columbia High School football program.
Saturday, Aug. 14, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Holy Trinity Chicken Barbecue, picked up at the church or the Susquehanna Fire Company.
Saturday, Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m., SVCC Night at the Lancaster Barnstormers, for tickets call 684-5249.

Got some catching up to do

The good folks from Columbia, I have to apologize for not posting stories or comments over the last to days. Ended up n the ER at Lancaster General last night and just got home. Will be taking it easy today. Keep reading and keep on posting.

Columbia man one of six busted

The Lancaster County Drug Task Force was busy: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/273123

Last days of summer drills

The Columbia High School football team is ending summer workouts. The first official day of fall practice is Monday, Aug. 16.

There's music on the hill

The Columbia High School marching band was busy tonight putting the first touches on their football and competition show this week on the East parking lot.

Dead end paved

This dead end piece of road, which is probably an extension of Poplar Street, was recently paved by the borough. The real question is why was a dead end paved and not one of the more problem streets in town?

A weed problem that was reported

I was alerted to this weed problem at the intersection of Front and Perry streets. The high weeds were causing some traffic problems and were reported to Code Enforcement by police. Yes that is a fire hydrant in the weeds.

Sweeping up the leftovers

The Columbia street sweeper was busy around the noon hour cleaning up some debris in the Third and Locust street area left by a truck going through the area.

National Night Out, except here

A number of communities and police departments are celebrating National Night Out tonight. I saw our neighbors from West Hempfield Township did a program Sunday in Mountville and Manor Township had a program at the Manor Middle School.
Columbia? They haven't had a National Night Out celebration since John George served as police chief. As I remember it, there were a couple of block parties and a number of people sitting out on their front porches. It was a good public relations tool for our police department and something that was well received.

Code Enforcement issues

One of the major topics of discussion at last night's town meeting, which we will do again in September, was Columbia's code enforcement.
We have heard time and time again how the borough's Code Enforcement employees are over worked -- more than 1,300 complaints. So the council hires two part-time code people to go with the current full-time person and one part-time person. In addition, the borough changes its ordinances concerning outsourcing inspections for buildings, etc.
During the discussion last night, how the borough enforces its codes were discussed.
The bottom line is that residents want to see code enforcement, not selective code enforcement but consistent code enforcement. In other words, treat everyone the same and not pick on different groups or individuals.
Also discussed was the need for the borough to clean up its own house when it comes to weeds and trash.

For the next three days

The comments without names have been for the most good, but some, well, haven't been published, But until Thursday, I'm not going to be posting posts without a name or initials. Just want to see if people are willing to put their name on something they are writing.
No, no public official has threatened me or anyone is taking legal action. Just want to possibly put a face or identification/name to the post.
Where is says "comment as" post a name in that location.

Ideas were discussed

About 18 people attended tonight's Town Meeting at Glatfelter Field.
There were regular citizens, market standholders, school board members, business leaders and former members of borough council.
Disucssion centered on Code Enforcement in the borough and the lack of enforcement. Other ideas discussed were trying to bring all of the groups in the community together to work for the betterment of Columbia. Other items were Columbia's image and getting more people involved and how to promote the events and good things within our community.
There was a little discussion on the market house and the need for the borough to get projects done such as the replacement of the street trees and street lights in the dowtown.
Also, note was made of the pending release at the end of September of the Columbia Economic Strategic Plan, which is a documment in the works for more than a year, which will guide Columbia's future.
A second meeting will be held in September.

Weekly Columbia police reports

JOHN M. MENTZER, AGE 47, OF WILLOW STREET, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS & YIELD SIGNS AT ROUTE 30 EXIT RAMP AND LINDEN STREET, JULY 28..

DANIEL NEGRON-MARTINEZ, AGE 30, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS AND FOR HARASSMENT ON NORTH FOURTH. STREET, JULY 27.
A CHESTNUT STREET RESIDENT REPORTED THE THEFT OF A CRAFTSMAN AIR COMPRESSOR, FROM THE BACKOF HIS PICKUP TRUCK, SOMETIME BETWEEN JULY 22-23 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEAR HIS RESIDENCE. IT IS VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $100.

CATHERINE E. HOGUE, AGE 18, OF EMIGSVILLE, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS AT ROUTE 30 EAST AT ROUTE 441, JULY 30.

RUSSELL MARK HALDEMAN, AGE 43, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 500 BLOCK OF NORTH THIRD STREET, JULY 29.

DONALD GEORGE ORLANDO, AGE 46, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED, IN THE 100 BLOCK OF LANCASTER AVENUE, JULY 29.

JACOB SNOW ELLSWORTH, AGE 24, OF ARIZONA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS AT THIRD AND LINDEN STREETS, AUG. 1.

KEITH EDWARD KAUFFMAN, AGE 43, OF PEQUEA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT ROUTE 441 AND PERRY STREET, AUG. 1.

CORY S. PORTER, AGE 35, OF HOLTWOOD, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT ROUTE 441 AND PERRY STREET, AUG. 1.

SAMAH S. IBPAHIM, AGE 27, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS AT ROUTE 462 AND CHERRY STREET, AUG. 1.

GERRY SPONG, AGE 41, OF CONESTOGA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES ON ROUTE 441 AND PERRY STREET, AUG. 1.

JENNIFER L. HINE, AGE 35, OF HARRISBURG, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT THIRD AND LINDEN STREETS, JULY 30..

TIFFANY LEEANN LANDI, AGE 20, OF FLORIDA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION AT ROUTE 30 AND ROUTE 441, JULY 31..

ZACHARY A. DANZ, AGE 21, OF CONESTOGA, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS AT ROUTE 441 AND PERRY STREET, AUG. 1.

KHALED SHEHATA ABDOU, AGE 37, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 400 BLOCK OF LOCUST STREET, AUG. 2.

July Susquehanna Fire Company report

July 1, 341 South Second St., gas leak.
July 1, 450 Richardson Dr., Lancaster, industrial building fire.

July 1, 780 Raintree Road, West Hempfield, brush fire.
July 2, 1071 Wood St., Mount Joy, residential building fire.
July 3, 3050 Marietta Ave., Silver Spring, church fire.
July 3, 3903 Abel Dr., automatic alarm.
July 3, 671 Hempfield Hill Road, Silver Spring, water rescue.
July 7, 901 Ironville Pike, automatic alarm.

Vehicle accident at 9th and Locust streets.

July 7, 1249 Lancaster Ave., equipment fire.
July 8 126 West Main St., Mountville, automatic alarm.
July 8, 901 Ironville Pike, automatic alarm.
July 8, 1231 Blue Sky Dr., Yorkana, residential building fire.
July 9, 610 South 14th St., medical assist.
July 11, River and Blue Rock Roads, Washington Boro, medical assist.
July 14, 920 Plane St.,automatic alarm.
July 15, Plane Street and Route 441, vehicle accident.
July 15, Route 30 Bridge, Wrightsville, vehicle accident.
July 17, 27 North Sixth St., automatic alarm.
July 18, 4000 Marietta Ave., vehicle accident.
July 18, 1000 Manor St., stand-by.
July 18, 3950 Columbia Ave., automatic alarm.
July 18, Ninth Street and Ridge Avenue, vehicle accident.
July 18, 200 Luther Lane, automatic alarm.
July 20, 1411 Lancaster Ave., automatic alarm,
July 20, 400 Mill St., cooking fire.
July 21, Route 30 East, truck fire.
July 24, 400 Avenue X, brush fire.
July 25, Route 441 and Breezy View Road, chimney fire.
July 25, 2306 Country Place Dr., Lancaster, building fire.
July 25, 154 Acorn Lane, Mountville, building fire.
July 25, Blue Rock and River Roads, Washington Boro, river rescue.
July 25, Second and Chestnut streets, vehicle accident.
July 26, 3975 Continental Dr., equipment fire.
July 26, 200 Luther Lane, automatic alarm.
July 26, 921 Lancaster Ave., vehicle accident.
July 26, 200 Luther Lane, automatic alarm.
July 26, 900 Plane St., vehicle accident.
July 27, Ninth and Locust streets, vehicle accident.
July 29, 200 Luther Lane, cooking fire.
July 31, 901 Ironville Pike, automatic alarm.

Ad concerning Market Manager position

This was in the employment section of this morning's Sunday News:
MARKET HOUSE MANAGER
Employer: Columbia Borough
Job Description
MARKET HOUSE  MANAGER - P/T

The Borough of Columbia is accepting applications until August 13, 2010 for a PT Market House Manager. Job requirements include: B.S. Business Administration, Marketing, or similar degree with 3 yr business management or real estate leasing experience; or high/technical school graduate/GED with 10 yr of business management or real estate leasing experience. Pay rate is $18.50/hr. Applications and complete job description are available at the Columbia Borough Municipal Building, 308 Locust Street, Columbia, PA 17512. EOE"

Sounds like a good idea

This was in the York Daily Record: http://www.ydr.com/ci_15648043

CEF Golf Tournament

The Columbia Education Foundation held its  annual golf tournament today at Cool Creek. More than 130 golfers partcipated in the event, which will benefit students of the Columbia School District.

Inside school construction photos

Band room area

Cafeteria

Ceiling tile stored in first floor

Beam in new library

Part of new library

Large group instruction area off library and auditoriun.

Bigger view of library

First floor hallway

First floor classroom

Heat/AC system outside room

Gym

New bleacher area in gym

On the Market Manager

Talked with Brian Long today. He was at the market, trying to make it better, but won't comment on what happened earlier this week. I sensed the situation is not good and still feel that if a borough council member overstepped their bounds or a borough management employee did something, they need to be reprimanded, fired or asked to resign.

Wednesday's wisdom

When I wrote for the COLUMBIA LEDGER, one of my duties was writing a weekly editorial giving the paper's thoughts on what is going on in the community. Sometimes I wrote a weekly editorial column as well, with my views on activities and people.
I've done it from time to time on this venue as well. Lately I feel as though I could do an editorial every day or twice a day because there is so much going on in our town.
So, do I feel that Columbia residents are getting their biggest bang for its buck in terms of how borough is run? No. Does it have to change? Yes. Will it change? I hope so.
I, like others are not keen on how our council meetings are being run. I know there are council members who feel the same way, but, they are in the minority when it comes to make change. We have some "dead weight" on council and perhaps in the best interest of our borough, they should resign but they won't. I think the council members who want to make changes need to speak up.
When I got home last night, I had word on the resignation of Brian Long as market manager and Brad Brubaker as Columbia softball coach.
What I was told about Long's resignation  is most likely being discussed tonight at council's personnel committee meeting. What I don't like is how it came down and if a council member was behind this, this person overstepped her bounds by not going to management first and is not acting in the best interests of Columbia or council and is still holding a grudge about getting fired from the position.
This is the same person involved with the rumors of a second market opening down town.
Does it sound like this council member is working in the best interests of Columbia? No and this person should either resign or be removed from council by council for this latest action. Will this happen? Probably not. Should it happen? Yes!
As far as the vote on moving the River Park baptism, I knew back in June, this one was going to comeback and haunt council. It did and it shouldn't have taken a rocket scientist to figure out why. It's a shame, this had to happen and probably won't long be forgotten.
And finally, like many I was very apprehensive about if the Turkey Hill Experience would ever become a reality. Today, the process of developing the Turkey Hill Experience started and hopefully will work for the betterment of Columbia.
Yes, it was a big day for our town and I hope between now and the opening of the facility next year, a solid plan, as Bill Roberts said today, is developed to get people from point A to point B. If that doesn't happen, it won't work, but let's give it a try.