COLUMBIA SPY

Nick Meley: "I think it should be Columbia Borough's motto: 'We can't do anything about it.'" The citizen comment section of the August borough council meeting was raw with criticism of the way slumlords and criminal activity are being dealt with in the borough. Walnut Street resident Nick Meley suggested a new motto for Columbia: "We can't do anything about it," saying that's the answer he has heard over the past 20-25 years. Meley likened slumlords to a disease, saying the borough "can't put band-aids on this cancer." He told council that one landlord owns 11 properties in one block, each with peeling paint, rotting wood, and weeds. Meley came to the meeting with a solution: Regulate the slumlords. Meley suggested implementing a progressive surtax on non-resident multiple property owners or progressive licensing, and a "three-strike procedure" for code violations. "Nothing is being done about the real p...

Members of the Columbia Borough Fire Department covered at the Willow Street Fire Company after Willow Street's recent loss of Fire Chief Mike Reese. Five members of the Columbia Borough Fire Department stood by with one of its engines at the Willow Street Fire Company this morning due to Willow Street's recent loss of Fire Chief Mike Reese. Reese, 53, passed away suddenly at home on August 23 after responding to an auto accident that morning. CBFD covered from 12 to 6 a.m. with no calls and was relieved by the Blue Rock Fire Department. Numerous departments are stepping up and taking turns every six hours.

The Columbia High School Athletic Hall of Fame will hold its 11th annual induction and reception on Friday, Sept. 7 when the Crimson Tide football team entertains Section 3 rival Donegal. A reception for the Class of 2018 will be held in the high school cafeteria beginning at 5 p.m. The induction ceremony will take place at halftime of the football game. Kickoff for the football game is 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend both events. Those to be inducted into the Hall of Fame include a former college president, a state championship team, a PIAA runner-up, a four-sport standout, college All-American and longtime CHS teacher, spanning the years 1948 through 2012. The inductees are: Jerry Afari (2003), Michael Burke IV (2012), Joe Fry (1975), the late Charles Reinhart (1964), Dr. Frederick Sample (1948) and the 1975 PIAA Class B track and field championship team. Here are brief biographies of the inductees: Jerry Afari AFARI: A 2003 graduate, Jerry Afari won nine letters in...

Another Columbia Borough property has been given new life after sitting idle for several years. Thanks to Brookline Builders (in association with the Lancaster County Land Bank), 511 Cherry Street has been renovated and is now on the market for $157,900. For the next five years, tax revenue from the property will be split: Half will go to the Land Bank, and half will be divided by the borough and the school board. After five years, all tax revenue will go to the borough and the board. For more information on the Land Bank - its purpose and how it works - go  HERE  and  HERE . Brookline also renovated 839 Blunston Street, which recently sold for $145,000. ( Columbia Sp y posted the story  HERE .) Brookline is currently renovating 494 Manor Street and 208-210 Locust Street. Jon Owens of Brookline, hopes to have the Manor Street property completed next year. Following are photos of 511 Cherry Street, recently renovated, and 494 Manor Street, a work-in-progress:...

Order form for bricks A second install of commemorative bricks at the Veterans Memorial Bridge plaza is scheduled for this month. The deadline for this install was July 2. A third install is slated for November.  The deadline for the November install is October 1.  The bricks commemorate those who have served, or are currently serving, in the United States Armed Forces. Military personnel do not need to be from Columbia to qualify for a brick. The cost is $50 per 4” x 8” brick, each of which may have up to three lines of text, with up to 15 characters per line. Bricks will be engraved in all capital letters and will be placed in a walkway at the Veterans Memorial Bridge plaza to honor veterans and provide a grand entranceway to Columbia Borough from the bridge. Bricks at the Veterans Memorial Bridge plaza - These bricks were installed in May of this year. A close-up of one of the bricks Completed purchase forms along with payment should be...

Do you love thrilling, wicked, sexy, or even dangerous things? Be ready to escape to a new world! Paranormal Cirque will expose you to a unique creation of combined theatre, circus, and cabaret with a new European style flare. Cirque Italia is now presenting a brand-new show for a mature audience! This innovative horror story features different shades of sexy and an incomparable storyline - the only thing you can be sure of during this unique experience is that you will not know what to expect! It might be hard to divide reality and illusion! Are you intrigued yet? Dare to let yourself get wicked for one night under our Big TOP and live on the edge with Paranormal Cirque show! You will fall into a parallel world and end up surrounded by monstrous creatures with hidden talents that will amaze you with the circus arts. Even from a distance you need be careful……….our dark “CASTLE” (also known as the Big Top) has been known to mesmerize many with its swirling Black and Red hyp...

The Borough will be selecting five individuals with experience and training on matters pertaining to property maintenance (i.e., General Contractors, HVAC Technicians, Electricians, Plumbers, Historic Renovation Specialists, Property Managers, or Landlords) to fill vacancies within the Columbia Borough Board of Review and Appeals.  The Board will hear appeals from residents regarding property maintenance matters, including violations of existing Borough Ordinances.  Should you be interested in serving on the Board please forward your interest in a letter or email to Rebecca S. Denlinger, Borough Manager, at  rdenlinger@columbiapa.net not later than Wednesday, September 5, 2018.