Monday, September 30, 2024
[LNP | LancasterOnline] Republican state Rep. Brett Miller faces progressive challenger in 41st District [Voters Guide]
The race in the Hempfield-area suburbs features Republican state Rep. Brett Miller, 63, of East Hempfield Township, and challenger Brad Chambers, 33, of Columbia.
It is Miller's first challenge from a Democrat since 2020. He is seeking his sixth two-year term.
The GOP holds a plurality of registered voters there — about 46% to Democrats’ 36%. But the 18% of independent and third-party-registered voters, coupled with likely high turnout in the presidential race, could change the trajectory of the race.
Miller, a former East Hempfield township supervisor and public school guidance counselor, did not respond to several requests from LNP | LancasterOnline to attend a doorknocking session. He also did not respond to requests for an in-person or phone interview about his re-election efforts. He answered questions sent to him by email.
Miller, responding to Chambers’ criticism via email, disputed the claim he voted against protecting women who sought an abortion in Pennsylvania. He said he voted against the bill because “all protections would be removed for women seeking recourse for improper medical treatments at the hand of unethical, unscrupulous or malpracticing abortionists.”
But Miller did co-sponsor a bill this year to ban abortion in Pennsylvania once a heartbeat is detected. The legislation, introduced by a member of the Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus, does not explicitly grant exceptions for rape, incest or the mother’s health.
On the 2020 election, Miller said it was “the most unusual” in history. He cited a common GOP skepticism surrounding its results, including that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court made “unilateral changes” to Pennsylvania’s universal mail-in ballot law.
Miller also said that there were “unexplained data discrepancies” that worried some of his constituents; he didn’t specifically cite any of those discrepancies and didn’t provide evidence they existed. Those concerns are why, he said, he signed the letter.
Election officials nationwide have repeatedly debunked discrepancies as misinformation intended to spread doubt in the election process.
MORE:
It is Miller's first challenge from a Democrat since 2020. He is seeking his sixth two-year term.
The GOP holds a plurality of registered voters there — about 46% to Democrats’ 36%. But the 18% of independent and third-party-registered voters, coupled with likely high turnout in the presidential race, could change the trajectory of the race.
Miller, a former East Hempfield township supervisor and public school guidance counselor, did not respond to several requests from LNP | LancasterOnline to attend a doorknocking session. He also did not respond to requests for an in-person or phone interview about his re-election efforts. He answered questions sent to him by email.
Miller, responding to Chambers’ criticism via email, disputed the claim he voted against protecting women who sought an abortion in Pennsylvania. He said he voted against the bill because “all protections would be removed for women seeking recourse for improper medical treatments at the hand of unethical, unscrupulous or malpracticing abortionists.”
But Miller did co-sponsor a bill this year to ban abortion in Pennsylvania once a heartbeat is detected. The legislation, introduced by a member of the Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus, does not explicitly grant exceptions for rape, incest or the mother’s health.
On the 2020 election, Miller said it was “the most unusual” in history. He cited a common GOP skepticism surrounding its results, including that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court made “unilateral changes” to Pennsylvania’s universal mail-in ballot law.
Miller also said that there were “unexplained data discrepancies” that worried some of his constituents; he didn’t specifically cite any of those discrepancies and didn’t provide evidence they existed. Those concerns are why, he said, he signed the letter.
Election officials nationwide have repeatedly debunked discrepancies as misinformation intended to spread doubt in the election process.
MORE:
Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - September 30, 2024
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Robitaille Investments LLC conveyed 14 N. Fifth St. to Robert L. Robinson for $222,500.
Angela M. Nauman conveyed 325 N. Second St. to Nauman Angela M, Baker Scott for $1.
Codreanu Allison Elizabeth, Irwin Allison Elizabeth, Ihde Deborah Mitchell conveyed 132 S. Second St. to Rgss LLC for $236,500.
Kramer James L, Kramer Beth B. conveyed 1110 Walnut St. to Chaboya Frederick V, Chaboya Erin L. for $399,998.
Carol A. Vera conveyed 220 Riverfront to Long Sherri Clark, Long Jeffrey J. for $350,000.
Sunday, September 29, 2024
About Town - September 29, 2024
This week's photos of Columbia
(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)
Don't mess with him.
Guys looking every which way . . .
A duet
Some rain photos . . .
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A guardian of the pumpkins
Here's another one, obviously on duty.
Here are some pumpkins.
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This is where the sidewalk ends.
Don't fish here.
This image is from a recent HARB meeting packet. It shows a proposed mural on the side of Lancaster Distilleries at 230 North 4th Street.
Detail
Detail
A view of the bridges from the Wrightsville side
Last year, this structure was installed at the location shown above to help support the bridge.
[Columbia Spy previously published these photos a few months ago.]
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Another look at the new digital billboard
Caulking at the museum
Caulking at the firehouse
Why not take the flag down, instead of abusing it like this?
A "sanitary" sewer?
Imagine that.
Looks like it's time to clean up the alley
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Saturday, September 28, 2024
[LNP | LancasterOnline] Columbia Borough takes 2 steps toward transforming property into McGinness Innovation Park
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When: Columbia Borough Council meeting, Sept. 24.
What happened: The borough took two additional steps to transform the McGinness Airport property into the McGinness Innovation Park. Council members first expressed interest in creating a technology center and then selling it in 2017, but the borough abandoned the idea until 2020, according to previous council meeting minutes.
First step: Council members voted to record the final subdivision plan with new property deeds for the 41.4-acre technology center and a 14.5-acre recreation space now that the Lancaster County and Columbia Borough planning commissions have given their approval.
MORE:
POLICE CHASE ENDS AT 2ND & LOCUST FRIDAY NIGHT
Thursday, September 26, 2024
[LNP | LancasterOnline] Veterans Memorial Bridge will close for 15 minutes tonight (9/26) for interim repairs
The Veterans Memorial Bridge between Columbia in Lancaster County and Wrightsville in York County will be closed for about 15 minutes tonight, starting at 7 p.m., according to the state Department of Transportation.
Tonight's closure is needed so a contractor can install jacks beneath the Wrightsville side of the bridge. Delays are expected.
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Steven Kaufhold sworn in as Columbia borough manager
Steven Kaufhold, accompanied by his wife, was sworn in as Columbia's new borough manager by Mayor Leo Lutz at Tuesday’s borough council meeting.
Steven Kaufhold was sworn in as Columbia's new borough manager at Tuesday’s borough council meeting. Also, council voted to name Kaufhold as sectetary/treasurer for the borough.
Council had voted to hire Kaufhold as borough manager at its September 10, 2024 meeting, contingent on background check and drug screening, at a starting salary of $100,000/year.
Kaufhold was code compliance manager for Columbia Borough from January 2017 to January 2019. According to his résumé, he was more recently project manager/estimator for Lancaster County Housing & Redevelopment Authorities.
Kaufhold replaces former borough manager Mark Stivers, whose resignation was announced in June 2024.
Create Columbia accepts donation for town square
Nora Motter Stark, a board member of Create Columbia, accepts a $250 donation from Rob Kedney on Tuesday for the town square project. Kedney is associated with Thrivent, a not-for-profit financial services organization. The funds will be put towards maintaining the town square. There will be a ribbon cutting for Thrivent this coming Friday at 470 Locust Street.
