What I saw recently

Some shots from around town over the last week or two or three . . .

 Sure sign of spring

 At the crossroads

 Bluer than blue

 Heavy clouds but no rain

 Big and bad?

 Stone in the ground

 Stroller into the river

 Trooper in town

Animals only

Accident on 441

Just after two o'clock this afternoon, emergency crews were dispatched to Route 441, just down the road from the entrance to Breezyview Park, for a vehicle accident, Class 2, involving a Chrysler Pacifica.

Soon to be another entrance ramp onto Route 30

As part of the Route 441 bypass construction project, traffic will soon enter Route 30 from Cedar Street via another route, according to a workman at the site.

The existing entrance ramp from Cedar Street onto Route 30 heading east will soon be closed permanently. Traffic will be directed along another route, shown on the far left in the photo above (where a workman is standing). Vehicles entering Route 30 will first have to stop at the stop signs (partially covered in the photo) and then turn right and proceed onto 30.

(Click on the photo to see a larger view.)

Getting wired

Workers in bucket trucks replaced aging wires on utility poles near Third and Locust this morning.  A portable transformer (shown in last photo below) was set up to avoid power interruptions.

Babies on board

Monday morning at Third and Locust . . .

(Click on this pic for a clearer view.)

Columbia's past, alive and well, points the way to its future

Several presentations on Columbia's history, particularly its role in the Civil War, were offered at the opening of the Northwest River Trail Services Building at Columbia River Park on Friday.  

 Columbia's Glenn Bachert portrayed Captain Henry Haines, who served as captain of Co. B, 45th Pennsylvania Regiment.

Historian Randolph Harris (above) and Chris Vera, president of the Columbia Historic Preservation Society, led several historic river tours during the event. Of particular note were the remains of the piers of the Civil War-era bridge that was burned by Pennsylvania militiamen from Columbia to prevent the advance of Confederate forces. At the time, the structure was the longest wooden covered bridge in the world.  Harris rightly asserts that this area was the high water mark of the confederacy, and the bridge burning directly precipitated the Battle of Gettysburg and changed the course of the war and the nation.

 A rendering of the bridge burning from a slide presentation at the Trail Services Building

A photograph of Stephen Smith's lumber mill.

The structure stood on the same spot as the new Trail Services Building. Smith was a prominent African-American of the day. 

 In the 19th century, Columbia was a refuge for runaway slaves.  The underground railroad may have originated here. 

 A Civil War reenactor

 A Union soldier talks to Lydia Hamilton Smith, portrayed by Darlene Colon. Smith was the long-time housekeeper for Thaddeus Stevens and became a prominent businesswoman after his death.

William Whipper, portrayed by Columbia's Robert Brinson.

Whipper was an African-American abolitionist and businessman.

Jack Hubley shows us what's right in our backyard

TV personality Jack Hubley entertained a packed audience at the opening of the Northwest River Trail Services Building on Friday with an assortment of animals, including several mice, a skunk, a rat snake, a red-tailed hawk, and a horned owl.  With the skill of a seasoned showman, he waded back and forth through the crowd, showing and explaining various species, all of which are native to this area.

Meet Ben Burner, intern-to-be at the Trail Services Building

Ben Burner, who hails from the Harrisburg area, will be the summer intern at the Northwest River Trail Services Building at Columbia River Park.  Ben is a graduate of Cumberland Valley High School and is currently a sophomore at Millersville University, where he is majoring in Marketing and Management.  He will be managing the building Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays this summer.

Ribbon-cutting at Trail Services Building

The ribbon was cut, and the Trail Services Building was officially opened today at Columbia River Park.

Bravo LNP, you got it right!

Arrested speech over home rule in Conestoga Township:

"Meetings have rules of order, to be sure, but the American right to freedom of speech, while not absolute, still trumps a municipal official's desire to enforce a rule that seemed aimed at the content of attendees' speech."

READ THE REST OF THE EDITORIAL HERE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/arrested-speech-over-home-rule-in-conestoga-township/article_27bb95d2-ef89-11e4-b7e6-cf742b7b1fc2.html?mode=jqm

New signage at Columbia Antiques

Columbia Antiques at Third and Walnut . . .

The tables are turned - and ready

Tables have been moved onto the deck of the Trail Services building in preparation for Friday's event.

Locust Heights pool is not open

Despite rumors to the contrary, Locust Heights swimming pool is not full of water, and it is not opening. The facility was recently bought by St. John's Herr Estate.

(The photo above was taken this morning.)

For part of the back story on the pool, follow this link:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/columbia-will-miss-locust-heights-pool/article_90af4cec-a703-11e4-9729-53108fba9b75.html?mode=jqm

Work continues on bypass project

Work continued today on the Route 441 bypass project.

Sprucing up for the big event

Borough workers cleaned up River Park this morning in preparation for Friday's Trail Services Building opening .

Here's the schedule of events:

New flags at Brucekie's

Several new American flags appeared recently at Brucekie's garage near Second and Mill.

Flags flying at River Park

Flags are already flying on the recently installed flagpole at Columbia River Park.

Another "Coming Soon" - near Lancaster Ave & Locust St.

Just seen on Lancaster Avenue, near Locust Street (across from Locust Street Park).

Coming soon at 15th Street and Lancaster Avenue

Meeting of the Whole April 27, 2015

Agenda (Click for larger view.)

Quick summary of meeting highlights:

Present: Councillors Ford, Murphy, Smith, Beury, Weisser, and Barninger; Acting Borough Manager Ron Miller, Finance Manager Georgianna Schreck.

Absent: Mayor Lutz and borough solicitor

Presentation by Daisy Pagan regarding management of Northwest River Trail Services Building:

Daisy Pagan of Perfect Settings stated (regarding building rental):  "It's about quality not quantity." She said it could be rented every weekend, but there are "enough fire halls" to cover other events.  She has her own list of caterers that she would use.  She suggested that she and the borough split rental fees 50/50.  She attended the meeting with a 3-year contract in hand, stipulating $9,000 a year over the course of the contract, plus a commission on each event. 

Jim Cox of Chiques Rock Outfitters spoke regarding the River Park:

Cox began by thanking the police department for apprehending a man that crashed into his vehicles on Lancaster Avenue.

He wants to install a vending machine for bait and miscellaneous items related to fishing and boating.  He has to have electricity and a cement pad to do so.  If the borough approves, he will need a permit to proceed.  

He also presented an offer to the borough regarding the cleaning of the restrooms in the Trail Services building.  He offered to clean them twice a day on Saturdays and Sundays, if the borough does not raise his rent for space in the park.  The borough custodial staff will clean them on weekdays.  

Claire Storm was present and spoke about a letter she hand presented to the office for council:  

Council knew nothing about the letter.  They believe it may have gone to Jeff Helm.  Claire requested use of the Trail Services Building on August 16th for a church picnic (St. Peters).  She requested a timely answer.  

Mary Loreto discussed Avenue J:

Mary Loreto stated that she had spoken to Mayor Lutz on the phone, and he suggested that Avenue J could be divided, with half given to each property bordering it: 120 and 106 South Second Street.  She also stated that the Mayor proposed dumping stones in the alley.  She proposed closing the avenue at each end (South Second Street and Bank Avenue).  She suggested that Ron Miller could apply for a grant for necessary improvements such as exposing the original bricks.  (Jim Smith implied that grants are hard to come by anymore.)  She added that Chis Vera, president of the Columbia Historic Preservation Society, plans to take walking tours down Avenue J.  She also stated that there is plenty of on-street parking along South Second Street, although some residents have argued that parking is a problem. Council President Beury suggested enough time has been spent on the matter.  Several residents of South Second Street were also present and voiced opinions.  Councillor Barninger stated that no more than two council members may go to Avenue J at a time or else it has to be advertised. Beury said he does not want to take away anyone's rights, in regard to the parking space in back of 120 South Second.  No one from that residence was present at the meeting.  Ash Alley presented a bit of confusion for some members of council.  Only two council members stated that they actually walked both Avenue J and Ash Alley and not necessarily at the same time, as was discussed at the March meeting.

Columbia Borough Police patrol Avenue J on Tuesday afternoon.