COLUMBIA SPY

DRIVING FOR DRAMA BENEFIT CAR SHOW

2022-07-14T06:25:00.005-04:00

The third annual Driving For Drama benefits the Columbia High School Theater Booster Club. All cars are welcome. The event includes food vendors including PA Dairymen’s Association farm show milkshakes, music by DJ Eric Michaels and a live performance by the Columbia High School choir in addition to raffle and door prizes including Snap-On brand merchandise, tools and more as well as 40 trophies for categories such as best paint, best engine, best of show and more.

Where: 901 Ironville Pike, Columbia.

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. Rain date is Sunday, Aug. 14.

Cost to attend: Free.

To register: Preregistration is $15. Day-of-show registration is $20. Find a preregistration form on the event’s Facebook page or at South 16th Street Garage located at 512 S. 16th St., Columbia. Preregistration forms must be postmarked by Sunday, July 31. Forms can also be dropped off at South 16th Street Garage.

More info: Visit the event’s Facebook page or call 717-684-3600.

July 13 HARB Meeting Canceled

2022-07-13T18:35:00.006-04:00

Thursday July 14 Activities at the Park Elementary Gym

2022-07-13T15:30:00.003-04:00

Former Columbia Borough Manager Greg Sahd to manage Millersville Borough, fill multiple positions

2022-07-13T12:03:00.000-04:00

Greg Sahd

[Columbia Spy file photo]

Council meeting, June 28.

What happened: Council approved the hiring of Greg Sahd to manage Millersville Borough effective July 5. Council appointed him as borough secretary, treasurer and tax collector. Sahd replaced John Rochat who had served as interim manager for more than a year, while also holding the position of police chief.

Bio: Most recently, Sahd was the parish manager for St. Philip Church. Prior to that he was a manager of Columbia Borough for two years, worked in the state Department of Revenue during Gov. Tom Corbett's administration, served as a former Lancaster County treasurer and a former court administrator, and he has decades of experience in the finance industry.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/millersville-borough-council-approves-greg-sahd-to-fill-multiple-positions-manage-council/article_d3de0f0c-022d-11ed-9de3-4ba3887b31e4.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

At the Library - Wednesday, July 13

2022-07-13T06:08:00.001-04:00

Agenda - Columbia Borough Council Meeting - July 12, 2022

2022-07-12T08:48:00.003-04:00

Download the meeting packet HERE.

Columbia Borough Council is in violation of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act by failing to post this agenda on its website at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. The agenda was posted sometime between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on July 12, 2022 - about 11 hours before the meeting. In addition, an agenda was not posted at the borough office, as required by the Act.

At the Library/Gazebo - Tuesday, July 12

2022-07-12T07:39:00.002-04:00

Agenda - HARB Meeting - July 13, 2022

2022-07-11T08:40:00.003-04:00

Download the meeting packet HERE.

Crafty Cards at the Library - July 11

2022-07-11T06:16:00.005-04:00

Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - July 11, 2022

2022-07-11T06:14:00.002-04:00

Emily Ann Hagan and Emily Ann Gerard conveyed property on North Fifth Street to Brian Tran for $155,000.

Sheri Dumond and Gregory Dumond conveyed 119 S. Eighth St. to Scott A. Steudler for $191,000.

Nicole Dawn Thompson Cartwright conveyed 453 Cherry St. to Danielle White and Jason Rinker for $225,000.

Ahron Michael Jones and Lena Marie Jones conveyed 653 Locust St. to Discover Columbia LLC for $365,000.

Paul Vanjura conveyed 233 Perry St. to PVJ Properties LLC for $1.

Elmer B. Beiler Jr. and Katie F. Beiler conveyed property on North Second Street to Michael V. Kowalick Jr. and Emily Ann Moon for $153,500.

Ana E. Leon conveyed 526 1/2 Union St. to Marcos Arroyo and Amy Santiago for $130,000.

About Town - July 10, 2022

2022-07-10T18:22:00.003-04:00

Recent photos of Columbia

(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)

Two of the original light fixtures from the Veterans Memorial Bridge

(Sahd Salvage)

Items for sale on the 1100 block of Lancaster Avenue

Scaffolding at the entrance to Glatfelter's

Suitable for drag racing?

MAJIK

OUCH!

One of five kittens ready for adoption from the Columbia Cat Action Team (CCAT)

We got some heavy downpours this past week.

At a grocery store in Lititz

Sidewalk art?

Storage trailers at the high school

Progress on the water intake project near Columbia River Park

Commemorating Juneteenth

Break time

Welcome!

What happened to the signs?

They were there last week.

Another diabolical plan by Norman Osborn?

When it's left in this position, it becomes an attractive nuisance.

Squash plant with a visitor inside

NO NO NO NO!

Here's a sign to tell you to comply with the signs.

This one's not looking too healthy.

This hole in the ground is all that's left of a former commercial building at 511 Avenue N. It was one of several properties in the area that were demoed recently. According to the Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority, the hole will be filled in to match the parking lot, and residents will be allowed to use the space. LCRA is keeping the property and leaving options open for the future.

This is what it once looked like (here and below).

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"The weeds are as high as an elephant's eye

And it looks like they're climbing clear up to the sky."

(NOT Rodgers and Hammerstein)

Columbia is a Tree City USA, but it's still on its way to becoming a Weed City USA.

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The angel's companion

It's Garden Camp Time at the Park Elementary Playground

2022-07-10T07:40:00.002-04:00

Columbia Borough Council addresses curb and sidewalk repairs

2022-07-09T16:03:00.000-04:00

When: Council meeting, June 28.

What happened: Council members verbally agreed that the borough will pay for curb replacements and repairs while property owners will pay to fix or replace sidewalks.

Quotable: "It's important that we adopt a policy and say who will identify problems and who will pay to fix them," Heather Zink, council president, said after the meeting.

More info: Columbia will offer flexibility in some sidewalk cases, Zink said. For instance, property holders may hire their own contractors or use the firm working for the borough if Columbia already is redeveloping a street. Also, people in this case may apply for short-term financing from the borough.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/columbia-borough-council-addresses-curb-and-sidewalk-repairs/article_dcb18798-ffb3-11ec-80af-d31be33d21ea.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Columbia Borough Council seeking applicants to fill empty council seat

2022-07-09T13:19:00.006-04:00

Columbia Borough Council is seeking applicants for a council seat recently vacated due to the resignation of Councilman Howard Stevens. The term runs through December 31, 2023.

Anyone interested in serving must be a registered voter and have lived continuously in the borough for the past year. Letters of interest, addressed to Heather Zink or Borough Manager Mark Stivers, must be received by 5 p.m. July 21, at the borough office, 308 Locust St., Columbia, PA, 17512.

Applicants also may email Zink at HZink@columbiapa.net, or Stivers at MStivers@columbiapa.net. Council will conduct public interviews at its July 26 meeting. Current members need to fill the vacancy by the end of their Aug. 2 meeting.

Pennsylvania Senate seeks to declare state constitution provides no right to an abortion

2022-07-08T18:57:00.001-04:00

Read this from Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania Senate seeks to declare state constitution provides no right to an abortion
Legislative Republicans advanced five significant constitutional amendments, including stricter voter ID and enhanced powers for the General Assembly.

https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2022/07/pa-abortion-restrictions-constitutional-amendment-voter-id/

Stevens quits council, says members bash residents

2022-07-07T20:02:00.003-04:00

Columbia Borough Council voted to accept the resignation of Councilman Howard Stevens at Tuesday's meeting. Stevens was not present.

In a message to Columbia Spy, Stevens cited council's critical attitude toward residents as one of his reasons for resigning. He claims council members have routinely criticized residents during and after meetings and at executive sessions.

"... members at the table have been for some time bashing residents because they didn't like their comments at meetings and online," Stevens said in the message.

Stevens' term began January 2020 and expires December 31, 2023. Anyone interested in serving the remainder of the term must be a registered voter and have lived continuously in the borough for the past year. Letters of interest, addressed to Heather Zink or Borough Manager Mark Stivers, must be received by 5 p.m. July 21, at the borough office, 308 Locust St., Columbia, PA, 17512.

Applicants also may email Zink at HZink@columbiapa.net, or Stivers at MStivers@columbiapa.net. Council will conduct public interviews at its July 26 meeting. Current members need to fill the vacancy by the end of their Aug. 2 meeting.

FILL A POLICE CAR

2022-07-06T06:34:00.002-04:00

Wednesday, July 6, at the Library

2022-07-06T06:24:00.003-04:00

"The Personal Librarian" Tuesday, July 5th, at the Library

2022-07-05T06:35:00.002-04:00

About Town - July 3, 2022

2022-07-03T18:56:00.002-04:00

Recent photos of Columbia

(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)

Saturday's storm damaged trees around town. Several at Laurel Hill snapped off and fell onto the fence between the cemetery and the high school, breaking the fence.

....................

Tree limbs were also damaged at the Watch & Clock Museum.

A tree near 6th & Chestnut was damaged.

The new downtown buntings were also ravaged by the storm.

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These two kittens are from a litter of five that were caught last week during the borough's "trap, neuter and return" program.

They are currently being fostered.

Mantis about to assume a fighting stance

Columbia Borough spent $1.5 million on this old airfield and all we got was this lousy deer.

(That's a joke - kind of.)

Trolley stop

New realtor in town

Goin' fishin'

Now hiring

Fixed stare

The water intake project continues . . .

Incognito

Heron with damaged wing

A welcome addition to the downtown

(It's at the former Andy's Market location.)

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Onward!

Columbia council approves hiring Market House manager

2022-07-03T14:06:00.001-04:00

The Columbia Market House has a new full-time manager after council members voted to hire local resident Chris Vera to reimagine the space.

Vera, who directs The Columbia Historical Preservation Society, started work July 1 and will earn $79,803 in salary and benefits annually. He told council members that he plans to attract visitors to the building, built in 1869, by adding the borough's historical highlights in interpretive panels on market house walls. He also wants to rent out the now-vacant Gypsy Kitchen restaurant space as a community kitchen fir area businesses.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-council-approves-hiring-market-house-manager/article_1c17dcdc-f98f-11ec-b837-53e9032965ce.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Agnes, love & loss: Storm brought marriage for Columbia couple, mourning for Ephrata family

2022-07-03T14:03:00.001-04:00

Bob and Sylvia Herman still live in Columbia. Bob is a retired senior district judge, and Sylvia retired from working at Lancaster Orthopedic Group.

When asked if they had a secret to staying married, they both said it requires work.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/agnes-love-loss-storm-brought-marriage-for-columbia-couple-mourning-for-ephrata-family/article_08192376-f7c8-11ec-a0d6-dbf67950eef2.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Smucker tells voters in phone call Jan. 6 testimony was 'very credible'

2022-07-02T06:08:00.001-04:00

In a telephone "town hall" with constituents earlier this week, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker said he found the testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson "very credible," and agreed with the mission of the House Select Committee to investigate the January 6 attack, though he also suggested the hearings were partisan.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/smucker-tells-voters-in-phone-call-jan-6-testimony-was-very-credible/article_133523ae-f976-11ec-89a0-07421f96858f.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Columbia council decides to keep Saturday parking fees in borough

2022-07-02T06:06:00.000-04:00

Downtown shoppers will continue to pay for Saturday parking after council members voted 6-1 against a motion that would have made parking that day permanently free. Sharon Lintner was the only council member who voted for the idea.

The Columbia Merchants Association recently asked council to waive parking fees on Saturdays to encourage more people to shop downtown and prevent the borough from getting a bad reputation from visitors who get parking tickets. The group said shoppers, who sometimes fail to see the parking meter screen showing how much time is left, get tickets and then complain that they will never visit Columbia again.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-council-decides-to-keep-saturday-parking-fees-in-borough/article_3b264ede-f3c1-11ec-a0d3-678730fea3cf.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Agenda - Columbia Borough Council Work Session - July 5, 2022

2022-07-01T15:25:00.008-04:00

Download the meeting packet HERE.