Saturday, June 14, 2025
Columbia Borough's employee ban policy: Officials attempt to set the record straight
Zink: "Disclosing more information could open the borough or the individual to litigation, and preventing that is paramount." [Columbia Spy file photo]
At Tuesday's meeting, Borough Council President Heather Zink attempted to clarify the borough's policy on issuing no-trespassing letters to former employees, in response to ongoing questions from the public.
The questions stem from the termination of Columbia Market Manager Chris Vera, who was issued a letter banning him from borough property following his dismissal earlier this year.
Letter of No Trespass sent to Chris Vera
Zink acknowledged that there had been "conflicting messages" regarding no-trespassing letters which made it sound as if all separated employees received those letters. She read a statement explaining that it is standard procedure to issue a "no-trespass" when there are unresolved issues that warrant further investigation.
"In this case, it was done to protect the borough and the separated employee," Zink said. "We cannot speak to what the unresolved issues are, as it is an employment matter. Disclosing more information could open the borough or the individual to litigation, and preventing that is paramount."
Zink said that, going forward, the borough will not answer questions from citizens about employment matters or no-trespassing orders.
Murphy: "Each case has to be looked at on its own merit and individually what makes the most sense. You have to look at each case by its own merit."
Also at the meeting, Mayor Leo Lutz attempted to walk back his March 27th statement in which he said such bans are "standard procedure" that had occurred "quite a few times in the past." When asked by a resident about who had been banned, Lutz responded: "Probably everybody that left, including officers. It's a standard management decision."
However, at Tuesday's meeting, Lutz appeared to trip over his explanation: "I didn't say it was Columbia Borough's standard procedure. I didn't say it was anyone's standard procedure. I said it is a standard procedure." A few minutes later, Lutz said, “Standard procedure in Columbia Borough police department is what I said.”
Lutz also defended Borough Manager Steve Kaufhold's handling of Vera's termination. "I like to err on the side of being safe than sorry," Lutz said. "The borough must protect any evidence or testimony. If not, it could become contaminated and not work in the borough's favor. Our job is to protect the borough. I feel at some time that issue will be lifted."
"In this case, it was done to protect the borough and the separated employee," Zink said. "We cannot speak to what the unresolved issues are, as it is an employment matter. Disclosing more information could open the borough or the individual to litigation, and preventing that is paramount."
Zink said that, going forward, the borough will not answer questions from citizens about employment matters or no-trespassing orders.
Resident Frank Doutrich pressed officials on who authorized the no-trespassing letter to Vera and whether a formal policy exists. He also noted officials' contradictory statements on what the policy is and whether a policy exists.
Doutrich: "We're just trying to get to the bottom of it. When you say something, you're supposed to mean what you say and say what you mean." [Columbia Spy file photo]
"Who authorized that letter to be sent? Who authorized the solicitor to send the letter to begin with?" Doutrich asked. He said that during his years on council, he had never heard of such a policy, and neither did other former council members he spoke with.
"We're just trying to get to the bottom of it," Doutrich said. "When you say something, you're supposed to mean what you say and say what you mean."
Councilman Kelly Murphy said that each termination must be evaluated individually. "Each case has to be looked at on its own merit and individually what makes the most sense," Murphy said. "You have to look at each case by its own merit."
When Doutrich asked when the no-trespassing order on Vera might be rescinded, council members declined to provide specifics.
"I'm not gonna answer it. Pure and simple," Murphy responded. "When that time comes, I'm sure the explanation will be given."
Also at the meeting, Mayor Leo Lutz attempted to walk back his March 27th statement in which he said such bans are "standard procedure" that had occurred "quite a few times in the past." When asked by a resident about who had been banned, Lutz responded: "Probably everybody that left, including officers. It's a standard management decision."
However, at Tuesday's meeting, Lutz appeared to trip over his explanation: "I didn't say it was Columbia Borough's standard procedure. I didn't say it was anyone's standard procedure. I said it is a standard procedure." A few minutes later, Lutz said, “Standard procedure in Columbia Borough police department is what I said.”
Lutz: "I didn't say it was Columbia Borough's standard procedure. I didn't say it was anyone's standard procedure. I said it is a standard procedure." [Columbia Spy file photo]
Lutz's explanation was in response to Councilman Eric Kauffman's statement at a previous meeting that banning is not a standard policy, as Columbia Spy reported HERE. Kauffman had said, “I don't believe that is the policy. That's not a standard policy.”
Lutz also defended Borough Manager Steve Kaufhold's handling of Vera's termination. "I like to err on the side of being safe than sorry," Lutz said. "The borough must protect any evidence or testimony. If not, it could become contaminated and not work in the borough's favor. Our job is to protect the borough. I feel at some time that issue will be lifted."
Friday, June 13, 2025
Restaurant Inspections - Columbia Borough - June 13, 2025
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Columbia Pizza And Italian Restaurant, 429 Locust St., Columbia, June 4. Pass. Observed wet wiping cloths in main production area not being stored in sanitizer solution. Customer self-service, single-use forks & knives is not displayed in a manner so that only the handles are touched by customers. Outside waste and equipment storage area was extremely dirty, sticky and had the potential for attracting insects and rodents. Observed olive oil storage containers, in the deli prep area, not labeled with the common name of the food. A working container of sanitizer was stored above or on the same shelf with food and food equipment; corrected.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Armed Robbery-Suspects Identified and Captured | Columbia Borough Police Department
UPDATE: Through collaboration with the Harrisburg Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and the Columbia Police Department, the suspects involved in the armed robbery at JK Mart that occurred on Tuesday, 6/10/25 in Columbia Borough have been identified. On 6/11/25, Donnell Rhodes, 24 of Harrisburg, and Jachai Daniels, 25 of Columbia, were taken into custody in Columbia Borough. Charges of Robbery and Conspiracy to commit Robbery are pending against both individuals. More information will be released at the appropriate time. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Matt Leddy or the on-duty patrol supervisor at 717-684-7735. On June 10, 2025, at approximately 9:00 a.m., the Columbia Borough Police Department responded to an armed robbery at JK Mart, located at 846 Lancaster Avenue. Two male suspects, described as appearing to be black males, entered the store at around 8:25 a.m. and forcibly took various merchandise, cash from the register, and also damaged store property. The suspects, who were on foot, walked eastbound on Lancaster Avenue to approach the store and fled the store in the direction that they came from. One of the suspects possessed a firearm and threatened the store clerk during the incident. Security camera footage reveals the following descriptions: Suspect 1: Wearing a black or dark gray Nike jacket, black Jordan Sneakers with purple accents, black pants, black gloves, and a black mask. This suspect fled the scene carrying a medium-sized cardboard box filled with stolen merchandise. Suspect 2: Wearing a gray zip-up hoodie, black jogger sweatpants, blue, orange, green, and white Nike Air Max 97s, and a blue mask. This suspect has hand tattoos and left the scene carrying a black duffle with the word "SPILL KIT" in yellow lettering. The Columbia Borough Police Department is urging citizens with security cameras in the area to review their footage between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on June 10, 2025. If you observe anything that could relate to this incident or believe you saw something suspicious around that time, please contact the police department at 717-684-7735 or submit a tip to CrimeWatch. Your assistance is crucial in helping us solve this crime and keep our community safe. Location 846 Lancaster Ave. Columbia, PA 17512 Date Jun 10, 2025 Incident Type Robbery Reference ID CB-25-02469 Case Status Current Case Type Criminal Case Region Eastern Created Jun 10th, 2025 | Updated Jun 11th, 2025 SUBMIT A TIP
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