COLUMBIA SPY

Councillors and other officials were conspicuously maskless at Tuesday's Columbia Borough Council meeting. Inadequate microphone volume, dropouts, and distorted sound once again plagued the livestream. And there were other problems... Finances, unpaid bills, "chaos" Councilwoman Sharon Lintner revealed that the borough received a shutoff notice in January for failure to pay its water bill. The water company typically sends such a notice after two months of non payment. She also revealed that a bill for workers compensation for the fire department also was not paid and there may have been a brief lapse in coverage. (The bills were subsequently paid.) Two representatives of accounting firm BGA&F hired by the borough to sort out its finances noted similar concerns. Peter Barsz, an accountant with the firm, said he discovered unpaid invoices dating to this past January. He described part of the effort to organize borough finances as "chaos." Amanda Gattuso, also...

Columbia temps reached 84 degrees today. It was a good day for relaxing outdoors . . . Or enjoying the river . . . Or painting the scenery . . .

  Download the meeting packet  HERE.

  The Columbia Borough Fire Department responded to an automatic alarm today at the District Administration Center at 7:38 a.m. Office staff and administrators waited outside as the fire crew investigated the building. After about 15 minutes, employees were permitted to enter the building. Engine 80 and truck 80 responded to the call. The building, at 200 North 5th Street, serves as the administration center for the Columbia Borough School District.

Level Up is coming to Columbia! A pizza restaurant is coming to Columbia, and it might offer alcoholic beverages. The restaurant, "Level Up," will soon open its doors for business at a venue at 237 Locust Street. Out front stands a sandwich board with a message touting the business's name and a need for service help. (That's right - they're hiring!) In addition, a bright orange liquor license application is displayed on a window. The restaurant was previously located at 316 Honeysuckle Drive in Marietta. An online menu from that location includes pizza, stromboli, lasagna, and taco salad, so a similar bill of fare could be offered here.  Level Up is another of the businesses that have flocked to Columbia recently. Obviously, the pro-Columbia vibe that borough officials and business leaders have put forth is working.  The business will soon open at 237 Locust Street. A liquor license application is prominently displayed on one of the front windows. A sandwich board...

Chicken bar-b-q at the Hambones:   Yard sales on the 1200 block of Manor:

  Download the meeting packet  HERE.

A family member confirmed that remains discovered Wednesday are that of Linda Stoltzfoos, but investigators have yet to make an official identification. Mervin Fisher, who is Stoltzfoos' uncle, said the family has been told the remains recovered are Linda's. "All of us have been hoping for closure. It's not the news we wanted, but progress is moving forward to bring Linda to rest," he said. MORE: https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/family-member-confirms-remains-found-wednesday-are-that-of-linda-stoltzfoos-officials-have-not-yet/article_7e095070-a2f5-11eb-b1e9-0b8b5dcb72cb.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share  

Fuzzy Canada goose goslings like these at Columbia River Park often mean springtime is here, but you wouldn't know it based on today's cold and windy weather. To make matters worse, overnight temps will take a plunge, possibly to freezing. Lets hope Mom and Pop Goose take the kids somewhere warm.

 

  Download the meeting packet  HERE .

  Download the 33-page meeting packet  HERE.

Jamie Widener thinks the problem with Columbia is that it's full of Columbians. He offered that sentiment during a brainstorming session at last night's ad hoc committee meeting. Widener, a committee member, said a question was posed at a CEDC meeting a few years ago where Mayor Lutz was also in attendance. When attendees were asked what's wrong with Columbia, Widener replied, "The problem with Columbia is it's full of Columbians." Widener said at first he thought Lutz was going to punch him until the mayor laughed and said, "You're absolutely right." Widener's comments can be heard in the video below. Several committee members nodded, commented, or murmured in agreement. Other members also discussed what they see as the negativity of Columbia residents - while making negative comments about Columbia residents. [Note: Several of the committee members are not borough residents.] "I hear more negativity from the residents of this borough...

 

Patricia A. Duvall and Patricia A. Holt conveyed 434 N. Fifth St. to Patricia A. Holt and Ted D. Holt for $1. Neighborhood Properties Solutions LLC, Antonio Munoz and Denise M. Keyser conveyed 628 Plane St. to Brian Michael Culp and Michelle Lynn Culp for $189,900. Erin E. Cramer and Keith L. Cramer conveyed 836 Locust St. to High Impact Realty LLC for $231,000. Norwood Realty Investments LP and Norwood Realty Investments LLC conveyed property on Locust Street to Timothy D. Slaymaker for $310,000. Megan Seibert conveyed property on South Eighth Street to Gary Cleveland for $153,000. Paul B. Esh and Fannie S. Esh conveyed 473 Locust St. to Aaron K. Esh and Sadie S. Esh for $140,000.

The Manheim Township Board of Commissioners voted unanimously March 8 to approve a resolution supporting the creation of a county health department and calling on the Lancaster County commissioners to create one. That board sent its resolution to the county's 60 municipalities and 17 school districts seeking their elected officials' support for such an agency.  The boards of Columbia Borough, Christiana Borough, Conoy Township, Bart Township, Quarryville Borough and Strasburg Township are among ones that have rejected the idea. Denver Borough Council is among the boards that supports the idea, as does Marietta Borough Council. And Lancaster City Council passed a resolution last Tuesday in support of the "prompt" establishment of a county health agency. [MORE AT LINK] https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/we-need-a-serious-discussion-about-a-lancaster-county-public-health-department-and-with-more/article_687707f6-9eff-11eb-90b3-5f69616af0c9.html?utm_medium=soc...

Columbia almost bought the property in 2017 but canceled the deal because of a lack of interested tenants. "What's changed is that we have viable plans to fill this park," Zink said. [MORE AT LINK] https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/interest-grows-for-potential-business-park-at-former-mcginness-airfield-in-columbia/article_ffa1a772-9eef-11eb-9f97-1f004194c38d.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share  

A Lancaster County woman is facing homicide charges after a shooting in Mountville Friday night. MORE: https://www.wgal.com/article/police-argument-leads-to-fatal-shooting-in-mountville/36151123  

MARIETTA COUNCIL VOTES IN SUPPORT OF CREATING A COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT When: Marietta Borough Council meeting, April 13. What happened: Borough Council voted unanimously in support Manheim Township's resolution to create a Lancaster County health department. Council members said they favor the idea upon introduction, but they are interested in more information about what the department could do for the county. Quotables: Council member Bill Dalzell said, "I think the past year has made it pretty clear that this is something that our county needs. We need to tell the county to begin to do this research." Similarly, Jeff Marsh lauded potential uses of a countywide department. "The county could take charge of setting up the vaccination clinics and tracing people with infections. I think it's a positive thing," Marsh said. [MORE AT LINK] https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/marietta-council-votes-in-support-of-creating-a-county-health-department/article_6...

When: Columbia Borough Council meeting, April 13. What happened: Borough Council voted against approving a resolution calling on Lancaster County Board of Commissioners to create a county health department. Officials also announced a one-day COVID-19 vaccination clinic and listened to resident comments about a proposed industrial park development. Health department: Sharon Lintner was the only yes vote on the resolution, which Manheim Township approved last month and sent to every municipality and school district in the county. The document supports creating a county health department. Council did ask Borough Manager Mark Stivers to work with other municipalities as well as the county to research options on what tasks a county health office would cover and who could perform these duties. Quotable: "I think this is a knee-jerk reaction to the COVID pandemic," Mayor Leo Lutz said of the resolution initiated by Manheim Township. "I can't support another layer of governm...

A third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will "likely" be needed within a year of vaccination, followed by annual vaccinations, Pfizer's chief executive said. MORE: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/04/15/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-cases  

Columbia Borough Borough Council voted against approving a resolution calling on Lancaster County Board of Commissioners to create a county health department at their April 13 council meeting. "I think this is a knee-jerk reaction to the COVID pandemic," Mayor Leo Lutz said of the resolution initiated by Manheim Township. "I can't support another layer of government." Council member Peter Stahl expressed a similar opinion. MORE: https://lancasteronline.com/news/health/heres-how-lancaster-county-townships-boroughs-stand-on-a-county-health-department/article_b37370ba-9922-11eb-9376-1ff1b4e9a33f.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share  

From the April 13, 2021 Columbia Borough Council meeting: Citizen comments Borough resident Dennis Wolpert asked who will pay the school taxes on the McGinness property if it is sold before tax notices are sent in the fall. Borough solicitor Evan Gabel said the borough is tax-exempt, but school taxes will be prorated. The borough will have to pay school taxes annually from there on out, if the property is purchased. Wolpert noted that a potential sale of the property has been in the works for quite some time but that neighbors never got input from the borough . Borough manager Mark Stivers said the borough sought input at public meetings. Stivers also said the borough hasn't made a final decision to purchase the property. In answer to a question from resident Mary Wickenheiser, Stivers said zoning permits do not need to be displayed but building permits do . Resident Frank Doutrich noted that the borough forgot to add the McGinness property into the KOZ program [a few years ago] ...

Hi everyone! The Columbia Democratic Party is looking for registered Democrats who would be interested in running a write in campaign for mayor in the May 18th primary! We believe that it is important for Columbia voters to have more than 1 option when choosing their leaders. If you or someone you know is interested, please message or email us! And please share this post to spread the word!!! columbiademocraticcommittee@gmail.com

Jack Ruth and Kelly M. Ruth conveyed property on a public road to Juliana Mento for $160,057. Erick Shope and Mandy S. Shope conveyed 601 Manor St. to Adam R. Burkhart and Megan E. Burkhart for $65,000. Johnny L. Hedges conveyed 919 Spruce St. to Carlos R Rivera Colon for $150,000. The estate of Pauline K. Willingham and The estate of Pauline L. Willington conveyed property on South Fifth Street to Nancy L. Poindexter for $1. John C. Hibberd & Sherryl A. Hibberd Living Trust, John C. Hibberd and Sherryl A. Hibberd conveyed 130 Perry St. to Lee Z. Allen for $127,500. Donald L. Hanes conveyed property on Manor Street to Nathanael A. Miller and Shelby R. Miller for $192,500. Alison Sky conveyed 614 Walnut St. to Shadow 9 LLC for $75,000. Jazlyn Alexis Herr and Garrison Reese Motter conveyed property on Walnut Street to Gary A. Motter and Julia A. Motter for $173,400. Yoshifumi Fujii and Michelle Stone conveyed 241 N. Second St. to Awakened Properties LLC for $76,500. Renewed Concepts ...

Register for the April 18th vaccine clinic. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health recognizes that communities of color continue to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19. We are working with the Columbia Ministerium and the Columbia Borough to bring to bring the vaccination to you! Be prepared for your vaccination: Masks are required. Please wear a short-sleeved shirt, or wear a short-sleeved shirt under a sweater or jacket that can be easily removed. The vaccine will be administered in the upper arm of your choice.  This is the Pfizer vaccine.  For full benefits of the vaccine, you must receive a 2nd dose. Your appointment for the second dose will be on May 16th, 2021 at Columbia Market House at the same time as your first dose appointment.  Please review information about the vaccine and FAQs at  lghealth.org/vaccine . MORE: http://lancastergeneralhealth.org/services-and-treatments/community-health-and-wellness/columbia-market-house  

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-city-council-calls-for-prompt-creation-of-county-health-department/article_ba2d42e6-9cc4-11eb-9169-1f1e757b6e2f.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share  

 

Borough manager Marks Stivers wants Columbia Borough to buy the 58-acre McGinness property at 1020 Manor Street and develop for business and recreational use. At last week's council work session, he laid out the purported financial benefits that the development will bring to the borough. What he didn't dig into was the upfront cost to taxpayers.  Here are a few figures: The purchase price is expected to be $1,495,000.  Add to that, $144,000 for environmental tests currently underway. If everything checks out and the purchase goes through, the borough will still need to construct roads, run utilities, and carry out other projects related to site development - the costs of which are unknown at this point but could easily run into hundreds of thousands. (By the way, if test results are unsatisfactory, the $144,000 will have been wasted.)  And the return on our investment? At this point: a feeling that businesses will flock there to set up shop, build structures, offer jobs,...

Engineering firms were once again a "no-show" at the McGinness property this morning, even though yesterday was supposed to be the beginning of the due diligence period for a possible purchase of the land.  A herd of goats did show up, however, and were seen trespassing there.

In the United States, the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, Pa., actually is owned and operated by its more than 10,000 members, who annually pay fees starting at $80 for individuals and $175 for businesses. "The memberships keep coming in throughout the year, so we were able to keep above water," said James Campbell, the acting curator. The museum is one of North America's largest horological collections with more than 13,000 objects, including an 1814 gold Breguet pocket watch with a push quarter-hour repeater owned by Napoleon's sister, Caroline Bonaparte Murat, the queen of Naples, Italy. Mr. Campbell, who said about a third of the holdings were displayed at any time, described how one gallery area was being redesigned to show public timepieces like street clocks and tower clocks when a lockdown was ordered last spring. Now, he said, "we are hoping to have some volunteers and members to come back," possibly this spring, to continue the work. M...

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 The Columbia Borough Codes Department condemned a Columbia house this morning, after it was struck overnight by a hit & run vehicle. The house, at 458 Cherry Street, sustained serious damage to its front wall, causing the borough to deem it an "unsafe structure."  According to the police report, "a wall partially collapsed onto a couch in the living room of the first floor apartment. The striking vehicle left the scene. A man and young child were asleep on the second floor of the building and were not injured. The striking vehicle was probably a Lexus and has damage to the front end." Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact the Columbia Borough Police at 717-684-7735.