COLUMBIA SPY

STAFF | COLUMBIA SPY Columbia Borough Council faced criticism from residents and animal welfare advocates at its October 16 budget meeting over proposed cuts to a popular trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) program for feral cats. Council had initially reduced its donation to CCAT from $3,000 to $1,000 for 2026 — a decision that drew criticism, given the borough's proposed $9 million budget. Controversy also arose from comments made by council members at an October 7 work session about controlling the borough's cat population, including a suggestion by Councilman Todd Burgard to use "extermination" as a control method. Waltemire: "None of us in this room have a right to exterminate a living being."   Dr. Nikki Waltemire, veterinarian at Columbia Animal Shelter, rebutted Burgard's remarks during public comment. "None of us in this room have a right to exterminate a living being," Waltemire said, calling "extermination" an extremely st...

Excerpted from LNP/LancasterOnline  Leo Lutz [Columbia Spy file photo] Age: 78. Occupation: Retired. Mayor of Columbia Borough for 24 years. Safety and security of our residents, business and their property will be my primary responsibility. I have the experience to lead the department through personnel changes. Continue on our path of Economic Development, attracting new business and retaining current business. Continue work with the Land Bank, Redevelopment Authority and Habitat converting single family rentals to first-time owner- occupied housing and strengthen Code Enforcement. Protect our rich history, serving on the Board of Directors for the Underground Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Provide more recreational opportunities for all residents is another priority. Jasmine Preston   [Columbia Spy file photo] Age: 48. Occupation: Safety manager/human resources coordinator. Columbia is more than just where we live— it’s our hometown, our families, our future. I’m running ...

Candidates on both sides of the aisle consider the $1.5 million property purchase in 2021 a mistake that has contributed to a financial downturn. [This post is excerpted from a longer LNP/LancasterOnline article.] LANCASTERONLINE | Staff Ten of Lancaster County’s 18 boroughs feature competitive council races this fall, and none is more contentious than the race in Columbia Borough, where the McGinness property on Manor Street looms large. Candidates on both sides of the aisle consider the $1.5 million property purchase in 2021 a mistake that has contributed to a financial downturn. Borough officials have spent the last four years attempting to redevelop the former airport into an industrial park, taking out a $5 million loan to see the project through. Concerns about the condition of the property have delayed development, and thousands of dollars in anticipated property tax revenue have gone uncollected. Democrats and Republicans alike say the final straw that pushed them into the coun...

 

Zane Sanders conveyed 520 N. Third St. to Mae Sanders for $295,000. Walter E. Bitzel conveyed 753 Locust St. to Alexandria Catania for $245,000.

 This week's photos of Columbia  Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.  JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY  Columbia likes the Halloween season . . . ***************** Big chess pieces in the front yard ***************** This junk car and trailer have been sitting in CVS's side parking lot for about a year . . . ***************** Rainy day Sunset Morning clouds  The borough hall clock tower at night That speck is the sun trying to poke through the clouds. Roll! It's a clean machine.  ***************** Reseeding at McGinness  Are they actually going to mow the worksite? ***************** A few more photos of Monday's vehicle accident on the 500 block of North 2nd Street... ***************** This cat's tipped left ear indicates it's been "fixed," likely through CCAT'S TNVR program. ###

Columbia High School ,  901 Ironville Pike, Columbia, Oct. 7. Pass . No violations.