Taxpayers angry over tax hike in Columbia | WPMT FOX43
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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
Several citizens have expressed an interest in running for local government. There's a good chance they'll displace the four incumbents up for re-election this year.
If, by "funding," you mean the revolving loan fund, it's to loan taxpayer money to business, a risky proposition. Even the borough manager said we're taking a risk with this program and might not get paid back. How does plunging us into debt contribute to the future of Columbia?
Bringing businesses into town does not necessarily increase the amount of tax revenue. KOZ and LERTA programs for business abate taxes, sometimes for 10 years.
It's fine if you are in favor of the tax increase, but why expect the rest of us to pay? If you are so interested in helping private business, then why not donate your own money or, better yet, start a GoFundMe account? All those in favor of funding business can do so there. Invest in the business and you might even get a return - maybe in 10 years or maybe not at all.
Finally, anyone who pays taxes in this borough has the right to complain about how their money is being managed - or in this case, mismanaged.