Advance Auto Parts is moving into the Columbia Plaza. The following photos were taken on Saturday. Workers were on hand to stock shelves and get computers up and running.
Monday, November 30, 2015
String 'em up!
Workers were busy stringing Christmas lights along Locust Street this afternoon to illuminate the holiday season.
It's beginning to look a little like Christmas.
Santa is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to Columbia on Saturday, December 5th. The parade starts at 8:30 a.m. at Route 441, then across South 3rd Street, turning left onto Locust Street, then turning right into South 10th Street and ending at Viggies firehouse.
Breakfast will be served 9 to noon at the firehouse. Children ages 3 & under - free. Adults $5.
Sponsored by CCFD Auxiliary Columbia QRS.
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Columbia's secret boat ramp is open to the public
Everyone knows about the public boat ramp at Columbia River Park, but there's another boat ramp - less well known - that's also open to the public. Anyone wishing to use it simply needs to follow Union Street past the intersection with Front Street, then across the railroad tracks and towards the river.
The ramp is a bit unkempt but paved well enough to allow a vehicle and trailer access to the river. According to a representative of the borough's highway department, this lower section of Union Street is public, as is access to the river via the ramp. Potential confusion is created by two PRIVATE PROPERTY signs standing on both sides of the road, several yards past the railroad tracks. The signs, which designate property owners' private tracts may have been strategically placed to discourage traffic on this block of Union - and to the river.
Columbia Spy has also been informed that, under federal law, access to the shoreline is a public right. In other words, you may walk along it, despite property lines, where physically possible. Rivers are subject to federal navigational servitude, including federal navigational easement, as explained HERE and HERE.
The ramp is a bit unkempt but paved well enough to allow a vehicle and trailer access to the river. According to a representative of the borough's highway department, this lower section of Union Street is public, as is access to the river via the ramp. Potential confusion is created by two PRIVATE PROPERTY signs standing on both sides of the road, several yards past the railroad tracks. The signs, which designate property owners' private tracts may have been strategically placed to discourage traffic on this block of Union - and to the river.
Columbia Spy has also been informed that, under federal law, access to the shoreline is a public right. In other words, you may walk along it, despite property lines, where physically possible. Rivers are subject to federal navigational servitude, including federal navigational easement, as explained HERE and HERE.
The orange line on the map above shows the lower portion of Union Street, including "below" the railroad tracks, as well as the public access to the boat ramp.
Shown above is the lower section of Union Street leading to the river. PRIVATE PROPERTY signs stand on both sides of the road, shown on the extreme right and left edges of the photo.
Here's a closer look at the sign on the left side.
Shown here are potholes further along on this section of Union Street that were filled by borough workers last week.
Further down Union is this stop sign at an inclined section of road leading to the boat ramp.
The boat ramp is in the foreground here. This photo was taken from the shoreline, facing back up towards Union Street.
Here's a view not everyone gets to enjoy. This photo was taken from the boat ramp.
Last Tuesday, borough workers filled potholes on this section of Union Street.
This small project is a proper use of taxpayer funds, since this section of Union Street is public.
A "side" note: This driveway, which runs perpendicular to Union Street, and leads roughly southeast, is designated PRIVATE. It terminates at the grounds of the Lancaster Water Company, but there is a private cottage at the side of the road (about in the center of this photo). It's unclear at this point who owns the road, and whether it is truly private.
Wanted: Citizen scientists with cameras to document PA's animals
The Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Biological Survey have just launched the Pennsylvania Mammal Atlas website.
The agency hopes citizen-scientists in Lancaster and every other Pennsylvania county will answer the call to send in photographs of the 64 mammal species in the state they come across. Dead or alive.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Who is the mystery woman?
On May 5, 2005, Heather Lynn Drescher was driving her minivan near the intersection of Fifth and Maple Streets when it was struck by another vehicle. The impact caused the van to roll downhill towards the clock tower at the NAWCC museum until it came to rest on its roof.
A stranger then crawled into the back of the vehicle, rescuing Ms. Drescher's 18-month-old son and handing him to her. After making sure everyone was all right, the mystery woman left the scene, explaining that she needed to get to work.
Ms. Drescher has been looking for this woman for 10 years. If anyone knows her identity, contact Heather Lynn Drescher via her Facebook page.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Takeaways from Monday's Meeting of the Whole
Items from Columbia Borough Council Meeting of the Whole, Monday, November 23, 2015:
Judy McKonly is willing to fund the construction of an animal rescue facility on a one-acre parcel of the borough farm. Council is currently awaiting a proposal plan for the facility.
LCSWMA funding slated for Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area (SGHA) has decreased by $25,000. (On July 27, council approved SGHA to enter an agreement to manage Columbia Crossing.) Taxpayers are currently paying utilities for the building. SGHA wants an office to be constructed in the building.
All road paving is done for the year. 13 blocks were paved, representing a 30% increase over last year.
New playground equipment will begin to be installed at Rotary Park next week.
Leaf pickup will end on December 11.
$14-15,000 of material (salt and anti-skid mixture) is needed to keep roads salted and safe.
Sewer refunds are done. Bills for delinquent accounts will be sent out.
Council approved a $5,000 donation to CBAA to remodel restrooms at Glatfelter's Field.
"In-car" laptops for police are $6,000 each and need to be replaced every five years.
New Borough Manager Gregory Sahd becomes "official" on December 14.
Don and Becky Murphy received a Community Revitalization Award for the Susquehanna Center for the Arts, 224 Locust St., Columbia.
Preliminary plans were presented to the Planning Commission at its September meeting for the installation of two large propane tanks near Fourth and Manor Streets.
Three vacancies for 2016: Civil Service (6-year term), Police Pension Board (1-year term), Tree Commission (5-year term).
The Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will be taking over the blighted property at 208-210 Locust Street.
Norfolk Southern and PennDOT still have not reached an agreement, further delaying the opening of the Route 441 bypass. Further information has not been made available.
CEDC will sell the fire company building along Front Street. The fire company cannot sell the property, because it belongs to Columbia Borough. By law, the borough cannot donate the property to the fire company. By law, a realtor may not sell the property.
LASA work continues in Columbia
Go HERE for more information.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Council nixes tax reduction
Columbia Borough Council voted 4-3 Monday night to keep the current property tax rate at eight mills. Council had previously discussed the possibility of a reduction of a quarter of a mill, to 7.75. A quarter of a mill costs the average homeowner about $25 a year, but generates $85,000 for the borough.
Meeting of the Whole tonight at 6
Rich Gerfin named chair for Tree Society membership drive
The Columbia Tree Society has begun their annual membership drive for 2016. The Society is the fundraising auxiliary for the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission. Membership dues enable the Shade Tree Commission to purchase and maintain street trees in the borough.
Over the last 21 years, the Shade Tree Commission planted approximately 790 trees in the community as well as maintaining street trees, and has received the National Arbor Day Foundation's "TREE CITY USA" designation for 23 consecutive years.
The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission strives to encourage street tree plantings as well as yards, parks and public places, as trees retain large volumes of rainfall, thereby reducing and cleansing runoff. They also increase property values, reduce air pollution, calm traffic and lower noise levels. Manageable storm water runoff results from abundant trees, multi-use catch basins and rain gardens reduced impervious surfaces, and increased ground vegetation. The benefits are lower costs and a more livable, sustainable environment.
Shaded homes and tree-filled yards make urban life more pleasant and provide practical benefits such as lower heating and air conditioning costs and increased re-sale values. The tree canopy is also a major contributor to storm water runoff reduction.
Rich Gerfin
Charles "Rich" Gerfin lll has been selected by the Shade Tree Commission to be the honorary chairperson for this year's membership drive.
Rich is a long time resident of Columbia and is one of the town's biggest supporters in community service and youth activities. He has been a volunteer most of his life and started by serving as a fire fighter with the Keystone Hook and Ladder Company where he served as a bingo worker and long time treasurer.
He has served on committees for the local Memorial Day and Halloween Parades. He has also been a Past Financial Secretary of Columbia United Methodist Church and Treasurer of the Sunsnappers, Columbia Lions Club, and the Columbia Education Foundation.
He initiated the construction of the Columbia High School Football Field press box at no expense to the borough taxpayers, and spearheaded the project to enable the High School Football Concession stand to pass health codes. He currently holds a state office with the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
Rich is a 1959 graduate of Stevens Trade School, now College of Technology and serves on their Alumni Board. Please consider making a contribution to the Columbia Tree Society.
A flyer from the 2nd Annual Columbian Roast featuring Rich Gerfin
Membership categories are as follows:
- Student $2.00
- Individual $10.00
- Family $20.00
- Business $50.00
- Life $100.00
Memorial Certificates for deceased loved ones can be purchased for $50 and will be presented at the annual Arbor Day celebration on Friday April 29, 2016 at a site to be determined. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held indoors at the Columbia Borough Municipal Building, located at 308 Locust Street.
Please make checks payable and mailed to: Columbia Tree Society PO Box 509 Columbia, PA 17512.
A copy of the Shade Tree's annual report to council can be requested by writing to the same address above.
Members of the Columbia Shade Tree Commission are Bill Kloidt - Chairman, Amy Evans - Secretary, Mark Zeamer - Treasurer, Ron Fritz and Josh Birk.
The Commission partners with the Columbia Park Rangers throughout the year in maintaining street trees and park trees. lf interested in participating, please attend a Shade Tree Commission meeting, held the 2nd Tuesday of each month, commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Borough Municipal Building, or call the Columbia Municipal Office at 684-2467.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Columbia Market - A Sunday success
Dozens of visitors made the market a success again this Sunday, as they sampled fine foods and enjoyed the festive atmosphere. Sunday market has been an ongoing success and will reportedly continue through December.
Isabelle Warfel of Isabelle Cuisine offers international foods.
Dillweed gets things moving, this time with an extra "banjer."
Cullen Farrell of rijuice, shows the organic cold-pressed juice his company makes from fresh fruits and vegetables.
(No high fructose corn syrup!)
A few of the flavors
Laura Lopez of Laura B's
Gina Frey of Half Nuts Popcorn Co.
Jordan and Alisha watch over Kat's Sweet Shop and Cake Pops and More
Folks enjoy Dillweed and a variety of fine food.
Ron and Sue Worby at Susquehanna Blue Smoke
Don Haines chats with visitors.
Isabelle helps a customer.
And so does Cullen.
Chef Pierre DeRagon heats a dessert.
A bass player ponders E, A, D, and G
A picker picks.
A strummer strums.
And a watcher watches.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Milt Friedly to teach printmaking workshop Dec. 1
Master printer, Milt Friedly will teach 6 approaches to making original one of a kind Monotype prints.
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 6-8:30 p.m. at the SCCA.
Sign-up thru our website: www.sccaartstore.com
Go to classes, find the workshop and click on Eventbrite.
Cost: $35
All Materials included
Friday, November 20, 2015
Columbia Crossing letters unveiled at River Park
The new letters at Columbia Crossing building in Columbia River Park were unveiled on Friday.
Wilson worked all morning installing the new letters.
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