Columbia's decision to ban former employee from its property may be 'unconstitutional' [Lancaster Watchdog]
Chris Vera [Columbia Spy file photo] The following information is excerpted from a December 6, 2025 LNP Watchdog article by LNP | LancasterOnline reporter Jade Campos. Still reeling from an abrupt firing from his role as head of the Columbia Market House in March, Chris Vera was surprised to get a letter in the mail from a Columbia Borough attorney two weeks later telling him he was banned indefinitely from borough property. The letter gave no reason for the ban. Nine months later, Vera, who has served as president of the Columbia Historic Preservation Society for more than a decade and has helped with the borough’s comprehensive plan, is still banned from borough property. He believes the ban includes borough parks, which is part of the reason he moved his annual Albatwitch Day festival, which celebrates the myth of a local cryptid, to Wrightsville. Vera said he’s not sure why the borough went to such lengths to keep him away from public spaces given his termination from the borough s...
Comments
The NEW market house advisory committee has two former "Trust" members on it. Councilman Berntheizel also a former Trust member. How are things charging? Just giving them more money to blow.
They had these bright ideas of Capital Campaign, Grants, etc. But of course you need true workers for that task. Ask the stand holders how many of the "Trust" members shopped there regularly.
Columbia attracts well over 250,000 visitors a year for antiques, Turkey Hill Experience, Rails to Trails, Watch & Clock Museum, and other events and small museums. If you are not smart enough to capitalize from these visitors in the last four years, you should not be in business.
From the last two posts about the Market and Municipal Authority, I am enraged and furious with this Borough Council. If you are interested in running for Borough Council in 2017 and build this town for economic stability and work for the citizens. Email me at redrutabaga@gmail.com with your information such as your name and phone number. I currently four possible candidates with great civic and professional backgrounds. Let us make Columbia Great Again!
TidePride!
And guess what? We're repeating that madness again!
AND maybe, the Borough would get SMART and have FREE parking on Saturdays so out of town & out of state people would frequent other shops! Duh, it isn't rocket science.
2. The Market HOuse Trust has done NOTHING but create more headaches.
3. I agree, this Borough and this COUncil are spending tens of thousands of dollars repeatedly....on what? Were ANY of you councilors elected to follow your personal agendas? Why in the hell do you think homeowners are leaving?
4. I think you ALL forget.....THE TAXPAYERS ARE YOUR BOSSES. YOU DO NOT HAVE FREE REIGN ON SPENDING.
5. Would LOVE to see more residents attend council mtgs. there's one on Monday Dec. 12 th at 7 pm!!!!!!!!!!!