Columbia High School has announced the following basketball schedule changes for tonight.
Boys Basketball: Junior High games starts at 4 p.m. with no seventh/eighth grade game. The varsity game will start at 6 p.m. with no junior varsity game.
Those games are on the hill.
Girls' Basketball: Junior High games starts at 4 p.m. with no seventh/eighth grade game. The varsity game will start at 6:30 p.m. with no junior varsity games.
The girls' games are at A-C
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
More changes ahead at market
Three stands operated by the Amish and Mennonites, along with Market Manager Brian Long have left. A few more stands popped up last night and maybe even a few more this week.
But down the road, there could be some significant changes.
Monday night, borough council approved two items that they expected to bolster the market for the long term.
First, council approved revisions to the market stand leases with modified rents and electric charges, along with asking stand holders to pay in advance with options to pay weekly, monthly or for the year. Those paying for a year will get their stands for two weeks free as an incentive.
Second, council approved changes to an ordinance that will allow for a market house trust to be formed, taking the running of the facility out of the hands of the borough.
"These changes have been the result of many meets with stand holders and we feel it is a fair and equitable option,: said Kelly Murphy, councilmen.
Council expects the trust to be formed throughout the year with takeover in 2012.
"We are working on establishing members of that group and bylaws," Murphy said.
"There is still a lot of work to do and this won't happen overnight," Mary Wickenheiser, council president said.
PTP needs help
The Columbia Elementary Parents Club trying to get everyone to collect Box Tops, Moo Money Caps (found on milk products bought at Turkey Hill stores), Cambell's Soup Labels and Coca Cola Caps (points are also currently found on fountain soda cups at McDonalds).
Anyone can drop them off at the office of either Park or Taylor Elementary Schools during school hours. The club is hoping to get the word out to people who don't have kids, have grown kids or even kids in High School that have these items at home to send in to help support the Elementary Schools. The money goes towards Field Trips, buying books for the students and other school functions.
Anyone can drop them off at the office of either Park or Taylor Elementary Schools during school hours. The club is hoping to get the word out to people who don't have kids, have grown kids or even kids in High School that have these items at home to send in to help support the Elementary Schools. The money goes towards Field Trips, buying books for the students and other school functions.
District Threee posts first power ratings
District Three has released its first power ratings for basketball and wrestling: http://district3.piaa.org/
Monday, January 10, 2011
Miller will be missed
Last week, Ron Miller, Columbia's public works manager, accepted a position as township manager in Shrewsbury Township, Southern York County.
Monday night, Columbia Borough Council accepted Miller's resignation and spoke highly of his contributions to the borough.
"He has a significant impact on this borough and we were fortunate to get someone like him with his background and skills," said Mary Wickenheiser, council president.
"He was able to get us $8 million in grants and I am not going to stand in the way of anyone improving themselves," said Mike Buery, councilman.
"These are some large shoes to fill and he will certainly be missed," said Mary Barninger vice-president of council.
Monday night, Columbia Borough Council accepted Miller's resignation and spoke highly of his contributions to the borough.
"He has a significant impact on this borough and we were fortunate to get someone like him with his background and skills," said Mary Wickenheiser, council president.
"He was able to get us $8 million in grants and I am not going to stand in the way of anyone improving themselves," said Mike Buery, councilman.
"These are some large shoes to fill and he will certainly be missed," said Mary Barninger vice-president of council.
Light project moves forward
At Monday's borough council meeting, Columbia approved an intergovernmental cooperation agreement between Wrightsville, West Hempfield Township and PennDOT, to allow the restoration of the bridge lights to move forward.
Columbia was the last to approve the agreement in which Rivertownes PA USA has plans to replace the current lights on the bridge with historic lights that were on the bridge when it first opened.
Mayor Leo Lutz said the project got a boost Monday afternoon when the Lancaster County Transportation
Technical Advisory Committee gave its approval for the $1.2 million project and another county group is expected to give its stamp of approval tomorrow.
"The project will be fully funded and it might bre able to begin this year," Lutz said.
Council thanked Rivertownes President Dr. Claire Storm for her effort in getting this project off the ground.
Other council business
At its meeting on Monday night, borough council approved:
* Its fee schedule covering permits and licenses.
* Approved the placement of two new signs at the exit and entrance to the parking lot at Holy Trinity for new parking between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
* Denied a request for reserved parking space at 116 North Third Street.
* Amended borough code to allow for authorized organizations to spay and neuter feral cars and release them.
* Reduced the financial security for the townhouse project at Fifth and Poplar streets for landscaping improvements by $511.
* Approved allowing PA Registered Architects or Engineers to perform property inspections.
* Heard from Norm Meiskey, borough manager, the street lighting project downtown could begin in the third quarter of this year or late second quarter.
* Resident Shirley McBride asked council for help enforcing bike and skateboard ordinaces in the 200 block of Perry Street.
* Business owner Jesse Sweigart requested the borough's help improved a couple of properties in the downtown.
* Its fee schedule covering permits and licenses.
* Approved the placement of two new signs at the exit and entrance to the parking lot at Holy Trinity for new parking between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
* Denied a request for reserved parking space at 116 North Third Street.
* Amended borough code to allow for authorized organizations to spay and neuter feral cars and release them.
* Reduced the financial security for the townhouse project at Fifth and Poplar streets for landscaping improvements by $511.
* Approved allowing PA Registered Architects or Engineers to perform property inspections.
* Heard from Norm Meiskey, borough manager, the street lighting project downtown could begin in the third quarter of this year or late second quarter.
* Resident Shirley McBride asked council for help enforcing bike and skateboard ordinaces in the 200 block of Perry Street.
* Business owner Jesse Sweigart requested the borough's help improved a couple of properties in the downtown.
Appointments, reaapointments
Columbia Borough Council made the following appointments and reappointments at their meeting tonight:
* Dr. Bret Daniels, a five-year term on the Columbia Board of Health.
* William Kloidt and Daniel Bell to the police pension board, through Dec. 21, 2012.
* Reappointed Glen Schaeffer to the the Historic Architecture Review Board through Dec. 31, 2015.
* Accepted the resignation of Leo Storm from the Municipal Authority and appointed Ray McCarty to fill Storm's term through Dec. 31, 2014.
*Appointed William Kloidt to fill Ann Grubb's expired term on the Municipal Authority through Dec. 31, 2015.
* Reappointed Donald Haines to the Planning Commission through Dec. 31, 2014.
* Appointed Carmen Swinehart to the Planning Commission to fill the term of the late Fred Abenschein through Dec. 31, 2014.
* Reappointed William Kloidt to the vacancy board through Dec. 31, 2011.
* Reappointed James Ciccocioppi to the civil service board through Feb. 2, 2016.
* Appointed the firm of Zimmerman, Pfannebecker, Nuffort and Albert as solicitor for 2011.
* Reappointed C.S. Davidson as engineer for 2011.
Reappointed Norman Meiskey III as borough secretary/treasurer and Georgianna Schreck as assistant secretary/treasurer for 2011.
* Reappointed Norman Meiskey III as the borough's representative to the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau Board of Directors and Georgianna Schreck as alternate.
* Dr. Bret Daniels, a five-year term on the Columbia Board of Health.
* William Kloidt and Daniel Bell to the police pension board, through Dec. 21, 2012.
* Reappointed Glen Schaeffer to the the Historic Architecture Review Board through Dec. 31, 2015.
* Accepted the resignation of Leo Storm from the Municipal Authority and appointed Ray McCarty to fill Storm's term through Dec. 31, 2014.
*Appointed William Kloidt to fill Ann Grubb's expired term on the Municipal Authority through Dec. 31, 2015.
* Reappointed Donald Haines to the Planning Commission through Dec. 31, 2014.
* Appointed Carmen Swinehart to the Planning Commission to fill the term of the late Fred Abenschein through Dec. 31, 2014.
* Reappointed William Kloidt to the vacancy board through Dec. 31, 2011.
* Reappointed James Ciccocioppi to the civil service board through Feb. 2, 2016.
* Appointed the firm of Zimmerman, Pfannebecker, Nuffort and Albert as solicitor for 2011.
* Reappointed C.S. Davidson as engineer for 2011.
Reappointed Norman Meiskey III as borough secretary/treasurer and Georgianna Schreck as assistant secretary/treasurer for 2011.
* Reappointed Norman Meiskey III as the borough's representative to the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau Board of Directors and Georgianna Schreck as alternate.
Help is needed
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| Columbia No. 1 photo |
The help of the community is needed following a devastating fire Sunday afternoon in the borough.
The home of Mike and Carmen Swinehart at Front and Water streets (near Blue Lane) was destroyed in what went from a chimney fire to a house fire around 1:47 p.m.
Firemen from all three Columbia fire companies, along with numerous mutual aid companies responded and were on the scene for several hours.
A state police fire marshal said the cause of the fire is accidental and places damages at $80,000.
A drive to help the Swinehart's replace clothing, furniture, etc. is currently under way. Interested parties can drop off donations at Columbia Discount Computers, 23 North Fourth St. through Friday and monetary donations can be dropped off at the Susquehanna Bank in the 300 block of Locust Street as part of a Community Life Catastrophe Fund in the Swinehart's name.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Stimulus money helps Columbia
Here is a link to an article in this morning's Sunday News of how stimulus money helped Columbia. The question is where was the work done? http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/335132
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Susquehanna Fire Company report for December
Dec. 1,Route 30 East, vehicle accident.
Dec.2, 905 East Main St. Mount Joy, building.
Dec. 4, 400 South Rockford Road, Mountville, building fire.
Dec. 4, 143 Massa Dr., York, chimney fire.
Dec. 5, 538 East Market St., Marietta, building fire.
Dec. 5, 73 New Bridgeville Road, York stand-by.
Dec. 5, 461 Riverview Dr., York, medical assist.
Dec. 5, 200 Luther Lane, automatic alarm.
Dec. 7, 1021 Walnut St., boiler malfunction.
Dec. 9, Route 30 East at Donnerville Road, vehicle fire.
Dec. 10, 2144 Oak Hollow Dr., odor investigation.
Dec. 11, 130 West Front St., Marietta, automatic alarm.
Dec. 11 25 Marietta Ave,. Mount Joy, building fire.
Dec. 12, 400 Mill St., automatic alarm.
Dec. 13, 1450 Habecker Road, Mount Joy, building fire.
Dec 14, 246 Chestnut St., electrical fire.
Dec. 14, 349 Chestnut St., electricall fire.Dec. 14, 101 Greider Ave., Rheems, building.
Dec. 14, 400 Union St., cooking fire.
Dec. 18, 63 Pine Tree Dr., Mount Joy, building.
Dec. 19, 321 North Market St., Mount Joy, building fire.
Dec. 19, 2042 Meadow Road, Rheems, building fire.
Dec. 20, 1265 Turbine Road, Mount Joy, building fire.
Dec 20, 604 Bernard Ave., Mount Joy, building fire.
Dec. 22 244 West Front St., Marietta chimney fire.
Dec. 22, 130 Perry St., chimney fire.
Dec. 22, 527 Donegal Springs Road, Mount Joy, building fire.
Dec. 23, 1201 Manor St., automatic alarm.
Dec. 25, 481 Manor St., automatic alarm.
Dec. 26, 1868 Craley Road, Yorkana, building fire.
Dec. 27, 104 Walnut St., automatic alarm.
Dec. 27, 920 Plane St., automatic alarm.
Dec. 29, 3050 Hempland Road, Lancaster, building fire.
Dec. 30, 130 West Front St., Marietta, automatic alarm.
Dec. 31, 30 Lincoln West Dr., Mountville, building fire.
Dec.2, 905 East Main St. Mount Joy, building.
Dec. 4, 400 South Rockford Road, Mountville, building fire.
Dec. 4, 143 Massa Dr., York, chimney fire.
Dec. 5, 538 East Market St., Marietta, building fire.
Dec. 5, 73 New Bridgeville Road, York stand-by.
Dec. 5, 461 Riverview Dr., York, medical assist.
Dec. 5, 200 Luther Lane, automatic alarm.
Dec. 7, 1021 Walnut St., boiler malfunction.
Dec. 9, Route 30 East at Donnerville Road, vehicle fire.
Dec. 10, 2144 Oak Hollow Dr., odor investigation.
Dec. 11, 130 West Front St., Marietta, automatic alarm.
Dec. 11 25 Marietta Ave,. Mount Joy, building fire.
Dec. 12, 400 Mill St., automatic alarm.
Dec. 13, 1450 Habecker Road, Mount Joy, building fire.
Dec 14, 246 Chestnut St., electrical fire.
Dec. 14, 349 Chestnut St., electricall fire.Dec. 14, 101 Greider Ave., Rheems, building.
Dec. 14, 400 Union St., cooking fire.
Dec. 18, 63 Pine Tree Dr., Mount Joy, building.
Dec. 19, 321 North Market St., Mount Joy, building fire.
Dec. 19, 2042 Meadow Road, Rheems, building fire.
Dec. 20, 1265 Turbine Road, Mount Joy, building fire.
Dec 20, 604 Bernard Ave., Mount Joy, building fire.
Dec. 22 244 West Front St., Marietta chimney fire.
Dec. 22, 130 Perry St., chimney fire.
Dec. 22, 527 Donegal Springs Road, Mount Joy, building fire.
Dec. 23, 1201 Manor St., automatic alarm.
Dec. 25, 481 Manor St., automatic alarm.
Dec. 26, 1868 Craley Road, Yorkana, building fire.
Dec. 27, 104 Walnut St., automatic alarm.
Dec. 27, 920 Plane St., automatic alarm.
Dec. 29, 3050 Hempland Road, Lancaster, building fire.
Dec. 30, 130 West Front St., Marietta, automatic alarm.
Dec. 31, 30 Lincoln West Dr., Mountville, building fire.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Wrestling is off
Saturday's wrestling match with Brandywine Heights has been postponed until Thursday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Another honor for Tide's Burke
Columbia's Michael Burke IV has received another football honor: http://www.easternpafootball.com/gotw-2/2010-all-easternpafootball-com-small-school-team/
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Bridges to be replaced
Two bridges in West Hempfield Township will be replaced: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/332726
Miller leaving Columbia
The borough of Columbia has lost its public works manager: http://www.ydr.com/ci_17008592
Turkey Hill Experience gets exposure
The Turkey Hill Experience was topic of a story in today's Harrisburg paper: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/01/turkey_hill_dairy_to_expand_th.html
Monday, January 3, 2011
Columbia sports update
The holidays are over and its really time for the high school sports season, at least league play wise, to heat up.
On the hardwoods, the Tide boys and girls hoop teams have played three league games, all crossover games. The race for the top spot in Section 3 begins this week with games against Lebanon Catholic and Lancaster Mennonite.
On the maps, the Tide is all but done its Section 3 schedule and has home matches with Pequea Valley and Brandywine Heights this week.
Since we last checked in on the Columbia hoops team, they have both picked up wins in league play.
In boys’ basketball, the Tide lost to Donegal by a 61-58 score, but held off Elco for a 53-51 win. At the E-town Tournament, the Tide went 0-2 following a 67-25 loss to Central Dauphin and a 59-46 loss to E-Town.
In girls’ basketball, Columbia picked up its third win of the season, beating Donegal 52-36, but lost to Elco, 47-25 and Northeastern, 66-26.
On the mats, the Tide lost its third Section 3 match to Annville-Cleona, 40-29 and was swept at the Smackdown Duals at Hanover.
On the hardwoods, the Tide boys and girls hoop teams have played three league games, all crossover games. The race for the top spot in Section 3 begins this week with games against Lebanon Catholic and Lancaster Mennonite.
On the maps, the Tide is all but done its Section 3 schedule and has home matches with Pequea Valley and Brandywine Heights this week.
Since we last checked in on the Columbia hoops team, they have both picked up wins in league play.
In boys’ basketball, the Tide lost to Donegal by a 61-58 score, but held off Elco for a 53-51 win. At the E-town Tournament, the Tide went 0-2 following a 67-25 loss to Central Dauphin and a 59-46 loss to E-Town.
In girls’ basketball, Columbia picked up its third win of the season, beating Donegal 52-36, but lost to Elco, 47-25 and Northeastern, 66-26.
On the mats, the Tide lost its third Section 3 match to Annville-Cleona, 40-29 and was swept at the Smackdown Duals at Hanover.
So, why is the sidewalk closed and....
Last week when I didn’t have to dress up like Nanook of the North to come in town, I decided to scoot around a little.
I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, just wanting to see the sites, I guess.
Well, as I have written before, there are still a lot of code issues in our town.
Many have commented on previous posts concerning code issues in our town and it will never end until changes are made.
Columbia needs to have consistent code enforcement and not selective code enforcement. In other words, instead of sending a letter to a resident concerning a low hanging tree branch or a sidewalk out of kilter, why not go after the problem areas.
So, on my little trek through town, I noticed a nuisance bar, which changed it hours because of a probable citation from the LCB. One has to wonder with all of the alleged problems this establishment has had, why it hasn’t been closed a long time ago. Code issues within the building are the least of the problems.
How about the former Sprint building on North Third Street? The windows remain open, a side entrance on Third Street looks like its been pried open. There are also some vents on Third Street that are beyond repair.
And that’s probably the least of the buildings’ problems.
On Fourth Street, check out the former Keystone Fire Company. As of last week, the sidewalk was closed because the windows on the third floor were damaged and falling onto the sidewalk.
All three places should have been closed down a long time ago, but continue to be an eyesore for our town, as our code enforcement people continue to pick on the little people and ignore the big problems.
It’s time for the borough to step uo in this area, along with many others.
I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, just wanting to see the sites, I guess.
Well, as I have written before, there are still a lot of code issues in our town.
Many have commented on previous posts concerning code issues in our town and it will never end until changes are made.
Columbia needs to have consistent code enforcement and not selective code enforcement. In other words, instead of sending a letter to a resident concerning a low hanging tree branch or a sidewalk out of kilter, why not go after the problem areas.
So, on my little trek through town, I noticed a nuisance bar, which changed it hours because of a probable citation from the LCB. One has to wonder with all of the alleged problems this establishment has had, why it hasn’t been closed a long time ago. Code issues within the building are the least of the problems.
How about the former Sprint building on North Third Street? The windows remain open, a side entrance on Third Street looks like its been pried open. There are also some vents on Third Street that are beyond repair.
And that’s probably the least of the buildings’ problems.
On Fourth Street, check out the former Keystone Fire Company. As of last week, the sidewalk was closed because the windows on the third floor were damaged and falling onto the sidewalk.
All three places should have been closed down a long time ago, but continue to be an eyesore for our town, as our code enforcement people continue to pick on the little people and ignore the big problems.
It’s time for the borough to step uo in this area, along with many others.
Columbia No. 1 receives grant
Township man is charged
Manor Township Police have charged a West Hempfield Township man with DUI following a traffic stop, Jan. 1.
Charged with DUI was Derek R. Zink, 23, of Maple Drive, as the result of an incident on Hershey Mill Road at Fieldgate Drive.
Charged with DUI was Derek R. Zink, 23, of Maple Drive, as the result of an incident on Hershey Mill Road at Fieldgate Drive.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Are police fully equipped to do their job?
Columbia Borough passed its 2011 budget this week. The good news, property owners in Columbia will not face a tax increase for 2011.
The bad news was that the budget exposed other issues. (http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/330404).
Those issues involve the police department, which were exposed at this week’s special meeting.
The council overturned Mayor Leo Lutz’ veto of the budget by a 7-0 vote. The mayor wanted an additional officer and two vehicles purchased among other issues.
The bone of contention during the meeting was the lack of a police budget submitted to the borough over the last three years, not having a working Breathalyzer for the department and only one AED.
The Breathalyzer has been out of service for at least three years, according to what COLUMBIA TALK has learned. It would cost more to replace the out-of-service equipment, than it would to purchase a new one. Without the equipment, police have been transporting alleged DUI suspects to Lancaster General Hospital for blood tests.
Therefore, without the Breathalyzer, which can test blood alcohol contents immediately, taking officers off the street to run to Lancaster was the only option.
So as this information comes to light, one has to ask a few questions again.
One, wouldn’t it be cheaper for the borough to replace the broken unit, tan take officers out of Columbia and run to Lancaster for BAC testing?
Two, since there has been no working Breathalyzer for at least three years are the officers still certified or if one is purchased will the4re be training required?
Three, why wasn’t this pointed out until this week that no police budget has been submitted for the last three years?
In most places, heads would roll if this type of information wasn’t provided.
Four, have we sacrificed the safety of our citizens by not having one?
This raises even more questions:
What about the rumor circulated around town this week that possibly one council member wants to disband the police department? Columbia is use to police coverage 24/7 and having another department or state police serve our town, would make open season for the criminal element.
Are the certifications of the officers to use the lone AED the department has up to date?
There are many other issues within our borough, but one thing that should never be sacrificed is the safety of its people. Right now, there seems to be a lot of playing around with that.
As Eagles coach Andy Reid says weekly at his post-game news conference, “Times’ yours.” The time is now for Columba Borough to explain this mess and if someone has to take the fall for it, so be it.
Market stands leaving
As 2010 turns into 2011, big changes are coming to the Columbia Market House and it is not very good.As of today, three stand holders are leaving, as is Brian Long the acting market manager. To say the market is in a state of flux is a huge understatement.
The three stands who are leaving are Sadie’s Pretzels, M&M Meats and Sunnyside Pastries.
Mahlon and Ruthie Stoltzfus, the owners of M&M Meats and Sunnyside, were thanking their customers today. The pastry stand is expected to reopen in May at the Turkey Hill Experience.
The lunchmeat stand is staying open.
Friday will be Long’s last day as market manager. He is leaving to pursue other ventures.
Depending on what day you go to market, who you talk too, etc., there have been good days and bad days for stand holders at the Columbia Market.
With the recent improvements made by the borough from government grants, the market has gotten a little bit of a new look. One of the big problems, in addition to the lack of people venturing into the market, is the lack of hot water for the stand holders to properly clean their stands. It was suppose to be installed by the borough as part of the grants, but never was.
Can you say code violation, right under the borough’s nose? Yes.
Whether you want to believe it or not, the Columbia Market House is on the decline. For months, there has been talk of a private market trust taking over running the facility from the borough, but nothing has moved forward and the market is floundering.
The stand holders are not making a lot of money is another issue.
I might be in the minority on this one too, but with other markets in the area (Root’s, Green Dragon, Central Market in Lancaster, and close markets in York), our market is not a two-day market.
Brian Long has tried hard to make the market work, but his hands are tied by the politics of our town.
That needs to change.
I am just going to point out some other issues. Since the bucks are tight in our town, what are we losing each week keeping this facility open? Second, perhaps if there were some other events in the facility, it might work. Third, Columbia Borough still hasn’t learned it should not be in the real estate business and fourth, will those who gave our town the grant money look into how the money was used, if the job (no hot water, etc.) was not completed or if the facility were to close?
Plenty of questions, not a lot of answers, but I really think the market could work if it was marketed right and politics were taken out of the equation.
Just right now, things are broken and need fixed.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
More honors
Columbia football players Michael Burke and Tyler Harrison have been honored by the Pennsylvania Football News. Here is the link: http://www.pawrsl.com/pfn/2010_pfn_all_state_index.htm
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