COLUMBIA SPY: November 2012

Friday, November 30, 2012

Last Friday, a Columbia family's home was burglarized while they were at the grocery store for 15 minutes. Firearms - some loaded - were taken.
Go HERE for more information.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Columbia Borough Police Investigate String of Burglaries

Police are investigating a string of burglaries that occurred throughout Columbia Borough in the last week.

The perpetrators are entering homes through unlocked doors and windows, during the early evening hours when residents are home.

The burglars should be considered armed and dangerous because firearms are among the items they have stolen. Residents should not try to confront them but should retreat to safety and call police.

Some victims have spotted the burglars, but police are not releasing their descriptions, Sgt. Adam Miller said.

Since November 23, purses, cash, guns, digital cameras, GPS units, loose change and other small items have been stolen from homes in the 600 and 900 blocks of Plane Street, South 9th Street, the 100 block of Chestnut Street, the first block of North 4th Street, and the 100 block of South 6th Street.

Losses could end up in the thousands of dollars, Miller said.

Residents should keep doors and windows locked, even when they are home and should not leave valuables in plain view through windows and doors.

Police are adding extra patrols and using camera systems in the borough to assist in their investigation.

Police ask anyone with information to call Columbia police Det. Matthew Leddy or Sgt. Miller at 684-7735.

Tipsters also may call Lancaster City/County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-1913 or anonymously text LANCS plus your message to 847411 (TIP411).

Prudhomme's Gets OK on Religious Promotion

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission says Prudhomme's may give discounts to patrons with church bulletins, as long as the discount extends to atheists, also. According to the commission's legally binding settlement order, discounts may be given to any bulletin holders "from any group oriented around the subject of religious faith."

So, what bulletin (other than a church bulletin) should an atheist present to get the discount?

And doesn't this decision basically mean everyone (with a religious bulletin) gets the discount? (In that case, what's the point of the promotion, other than creating a faux controversy to publicize Prudhomme's?)

Go HERE for more information.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

What Do They Sell?

After several years of neglect, it might now be time, finally, to get that sign fixed.

harmacy?

I don't think that's the image they really want to convey.
(To be fair, the "p" is not totally burned out. It just flickers continuously.)

The First of the Last of the Snow Fizzles Before the Apocalypse

Even though we got little or no snow, we can console ourselves with the fact that yesterday was the first of the last of the snow fizzles before the end of the world on December 21st. We know this event will occur, because it's based on the calculations of an ancient superstitious society, the Mayans. We also know (enlightened as we are) that religious predictions - especially those several millenia old and involving numerology (12-21-12) - are infallible. To ease the anxiety resulting from the impending apocalypse, however, the following photos of faces around town may be perused during the coming final days.

Enjoy! :-)

Santa hanging out at the corner of Royer's Flower Shop near the Columbia Plaza

The following photos are from the Burning Bridge Antiques Market at Third and Walnut

Friday, November 23, 2012

Fourth Friday

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving

Simple Gifts - Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Krauss

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Keagy's Produce Opens at New Location

This past Thursday, Bob Keagy opened the doors of Keagy's Produce to customers at his new location at 438 Locust Street.

Keagy’s is featuring fresh produce and fruit salad, cider (hot or cold), peanuts, and fresh-squeezed lemonade, as it did at the Market House, as well as fresh cranberry relish for the holidays.

Hours: Thursdays and Fridays, 8 am to 6 pm

Holiday hours next week: Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 am to 6 pm

Bob Keagy of Keagy's Produce

Victor Felix of Keagy's Produce

Car Fire at Anvil This Morning

Shortly after 9 o'clock this morning, firefighters responded to a car fire in the parking lot of Anvil, along Route 462. No one was injured.

1211016718 11/17/2012 09:10:01

VEHICLE FIRE-1A LANCASTER AVE & S FOURTEENTH ST COLUMBIA BOROUGH

ENGINE 804 ENGINE 807

EXCLUSIVE: Citizen Chases McDonald's Robber As He Speeds Through Columbia, Wrecks His Car

From scanner and eyewitness reports:
A woman helped police apprehend a robbery suspect after a high-speed chase that passed through Columbia this morning.

Stacie K. Landis of Maytown stopped at the 24-hour Centerville McDonald's on her way to work at about 5:30 a.m. and noticed employees scrambling and shouting about an emergency. An employee pointed to a maroon vehicle leaving the parking lot and said to her, "That guy just robbed me."

Landis called 911, gave the information to the dispatcher, and then proceeded to follow the suspect west on Route 30. At some point, local police took over the pursuit, which continued across the Wrights Ferry Bridge to the Wrightsville exit where the suspect turned right onto Cool Springs Road.

After negotiating the meandering Wrightsville back roads, the suspect crashed his vehicle on Dark Hollow Road, just past Roan Lane, and tried to flee but was too injured. Police apprehended him, and an ambulance was dispatched.

Despite the chase, Ms. Landis arrived at her workplace in Lancaster on time but was disappointed that she did not get her food.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Walker convicted of first-degree murder for killing at homeless camp

Tyrick Walker

Go HERE for more information.

Go HERE for photos of last year's tent city where the murder occurred.

And the Golden Flying Flip Flop Award Goes to . . .

. . . Columbia Borough Council, who, in their one brief shining moment of courage and lucidity, proceeded to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in a lame motion to pass a motion with emotion to ignore a motion in motion to disband the Columbia Historic Market House Trust. (WTF?!)

In reviewing the convolutions that led to the Council's original nomination for the award, the Borough solicitor noted that the quintessentially Romney-esque nature of their recent flip flop merited this honor. He added that the Council might also be eligible for a Golden Waffle, which will be awarded at the end of the year.

Friday, November 9, 2012

The Elusive Escape Clause At Last?

The following article is reprinted, with permission, from Columbia PA Online and pinpoints what might be the elusive "escape clause" in Columbia Borough Council's contract with the Columbia Historic Market House Trust. As stated in the article, the Trust has allegedly violated the conditions enunciated in the contract. If that is the case, the Borough has the right to terminate its agreement with the Trust.

Therefore, the urgent and pressing question hanging ponderously over our heads is:

Why hasn't this been done?

Read This and tell me how it sounds to you……

by Paul Miles

Back in February, Borough Council asked the trust to get a copy of a few things and to get insurance and also create a code of ethics. The trust handed in one thing and did not do the rest of it. When it was asked for by the citizens of the Borough back in March & April & May & June & July & August & September & October and OOh yes, November too!... and at the special meeting held earlier this week….. NOTHING! Why is there no compliance? Now upon receiving a copy of the contract between the Borough and the Trust, please review the section in there that pertains to such things. Also, NOTE no names are given… therefore, the TRUST is not locked in by names, just the group called Trust. We have an out clause and yet the solicitor said, NOT!! You be the judge!!

It is section 12.0 EVENTS DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES,

12.1 An event of default by TRUST shall occur hereunder if:

(a) TRUST fails in any material respect to comply promptly and diligently with any provision of this Agreement and such failure remains uncorrected for forty-five (45) days after receipt of written notice thereof; or

(b) TRUST makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, files bankruptcy, voluntary applies for protection under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or is adjudicated as bankrupt.

12.2 An event of default of OWNER shall occur hereunder if OWNER fails any material respect to comply promptly and diligently with any provision of this Agreement and such failure is uncorrected in forty-five (45) days after receipt of written notice thereof.

12.3 FAILURE TO CURE: Should defaulting party fail to cure within the appropriate time frame, the party not in default shall thereupon have the right to TERMINATE this Agreement by giving written notice to defaulting party, and specifying the effective date of termination. Further, the event of uncured breach by TRUST, OWNER shall have the right to regain operational and other such possession and control of the Market and all accounts established by the TRUST pursuant to this Agreement for whatever reason subsequent disposition it deems appropriate. In doing so, OWNER shall incur no duties or obligations to TRUST.

The TRUST has broken the FAILURE TO CURE rule many, many times, and the Borough solicitor says the Borough can NOT do anything about it. How's this make him look?????

Just so you are aware - the 45 day clause exceeded months ago!!!!!!