Monday, August 31, 2020

Pennsylvania eviction moratorium set to expire as thousands face housing crisis

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf confirmed that he will not extend the state's moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, set to expire Monday night, citing legal constraints that prevent him from acting without legislative approval.

MORE:

https://www.phillyvoice.com/pennsylvania-moratorium-evictions-foreclosures-expire-renters-mortgage/ 

Columbia Borough deeds recorded as of Aug. 31, 2020

Kevin A. Kauffman and Connie M. Kauffman conveyed 463 Walnut St. to Samuel B. Fisher and Emma K. Fisher for $165,000.

John M. Fleckenstein and Christina M. Fleckenstein conveyed property on Chestnut St. to Christina M. Fleckenstein for $1.

G&Z Investments LLC and David J. Garpstas conveyed 38 S. Eighth St. to Margaret T. Walters for $150,000.

James G. Farrington and Carol A. Farrington conveyed property on a public road to James G. Farrington, Carol A. Farrington and Kristin Noeleen Farrington for $1.

Scott D. Weibel conveyed 803 Locust St. to Gary A. Motter and Julia A. Motter for $185,000.

Kelly States conveyed 137 Bethel St. to Tracy L. Feulner for $110,000.

WGMC Properties LLC and Walter L. Siderio conveyed 569 Walnut St. to Gary A. Motter and Julia A. Motter for $99,900.

Redevelopment Authority County Lancaster conveyed property on Perry Street to Stonecrest Builders LLC for $18,000.

Edward M. Haas and Edward Haas conveyed 461 Locust St. to George Steedle for $96,000.
Nicholas Jason Sileo conveyed 707 Florence St. to Daniel A. Torres and Janene P. Winkey for $142,999.

Sunday, August 30, 2020

About Town 8/30/2020

This week's photos of Columbia
(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)


Not the results of the recent parking study

Campaign issue

Clouds on the horizon

Clouds in the sky

Coffee & Cream towards evening

A peek inside the market

Progress, slow and sure

3rd Street Vintage

Still ready to go

Libertarian candidate for president

Near sunset

A view from Todd Stahl

A submitted photo of a rainbow

Parking lot construction in the 400 block of Avenue G

Biden for president

Yes they do.

Parking lot update a few days later

Trash collects on sewer grates after a heavy rain.

Down by the river

Recycling bin for recycled ideas

Blue star

Columbia Organ Works

Don't tread on this flag.

The horror that is Locust Street

Road work continues . . .

. . . on the 800 block of Locust.

Avoid, if possible

Birds of a feather

Stars & Strips at the Foresters

Illegal left turn at 5th & Chestnut

Update at Royer's Flowers

Park ranger on the job

Anti-Trump

Pro-Trump

Sticker shock


Friday, August 28, 2020

Protesters tell borough council they want changes in police budget for affordable housing

Carlos Jimenez, Jr., activist and vice president of civil rights group Green Dreamz

About 30 protesters demanding social change marched to Columbia Borough Hall from Locust Street Park Tuesday night. Two participants from the group spoke at that evening's borough council meeting on the police budget and affordable housing.

Carlos Jimenez, Jr., vice president of civil rights group Green Dreamz and organizer of the protest, told council he wanted part of the police budget to be re-allocated to affordable housing and also asked that the current school resource officer be removed from his position with the school district.

Columbia School Board Director Robert Misciagna offered facts and figures on affordable housing and rents in the current economy.

Both speakers can be heard at the archived version of the meeting on the borough's Facebook page HERE - Jimenez at 21:39 and Misciagna at 24:05.







A counter-protestor shared his feelings.











Protesters were almost denied the right to speak at Tuesday night's Columbia Borough Council meeting. The main entrance door to borough hall  was kept locked until shortly after 7 p.m., when about a dozen people were allowed in. By the time others got to the door, it was locked again. (Usually, the door is unlocked by 6:45 p.m.) A few minutes later, the borough manager opened the door again, but the meeting, which was 8 minutes late in starting, was already in progress, and the council president refused to allow participants access to the sign-up sheet for citizens' comments. After a brief discussion, two from the group were allowed to speak.

 Six to eight Columbia Borough officers were visible during the protest, in Locust Street Park and downtown. A few days before the protest, Green Dreamz was reportedly threatened with arrest for trespassing if participants entered the park. However, a 2014 lease agreement between Columbia Borough and the Old Columbia Public Grounds Company (the owner) makes the park a "borough property" (i.e., public), according to the former borough solicitor and former borough manager. The term of the lease is 25 years. [Source: November 10, 2014 Columbia Borough Council meeting minutes]








The ever present drones that borough officials continually deny any knowledge of hovered overhead. (A command center had reportedly been set up in the Holy Trinity School parking lot.)