Columbia to get bigger Sunoco station, laundromat

Several new signs were mounted yesterday and today (July 5 & 6) at the former Exxon gas station at 15th Street and Route 462 - and the existing Sunoco station beside it. The project is a first stage in expanding the Sunoco station.

The Exxon station, which also housed a "snack mart" and ATM, shut down a few years ago. Its signs were removed yesterday.

Workmen then installed a new sign frame . . .

. . . using a "bucket truck" and crane.

Today, a new Sunoco sign was installed inside the frame.

The soon-to-be Sunoco building will also house a laundromat, according to a worker on-scene.

The existing Sunoco station got a small facelift - another new sign.

Obviously, the pricing display is yet to be programmed.

Columbia rentals exceed all others locally; home ownership 4th smallest

According towncharts.com, Columbia Borough has the highest percentage of renter households to total households (41.6%), as compared to other area municipalities.  The percentage is higher than the national average.

Columbia also has the fourth smallest number of owner housing units (58.4%) - as compared to all the other places in the area.

The figures come from most recent demographics data available from the Census Bureau released in December of 2016.

Figure 5 shows the percentage of renter households to total households. Columbia indicates it has 41.6% Renter Percent which is at the top of all other places in the area.

Figure 6 shows the number of owner housing units and it has 58.4% Owner Percent which is the 4th smallest Owner Percent of all the other places in the area.

Other Columbia statistics, such as demographics, economy, education, and healthcare are also available at Town Charts HERE.

Columbia woman picked up on warrant

Movie in the Park Friday night, July 7

Columbia School District to get 2.4% increase in state funding

Columbia Borough School District will receive an increase of a $164,500 over last year as part of a $100 million increase in state education funding.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/pennsylvania/state-budget-s-million-more-for-education-will-bring-million/article_fd808854-602e-11e7-ba6b-bf8781ca2356.html

About Town

Mayflies have invaded Columbia! They even attached themselves to a Columbia flag so that the invasion would be symbolic as well as literal. Clever little creatures!

Once again, they seem to be everywhere around town - even here, at the old railroad station, now Eastern Drillers.

Well, that's one way to light up your life.

 Reflecting . . .

 Up against the wall . . .

 But not everyone's upset about the mayflies. This grackle has a beakful of the bugs.

This sparrow, too.

 Speaking of birds, here's one who must think he's king of the world atop a finial at the Elks.

 A tree for rent? Is transportation provided?

 Street sweeper sweeping once again

 An armada of geese heading north.

"Free food" sign in a window . . . 

at 215 Walnut Street.

 And there's the food.

 And to wash it all down, here's a load of Columbia cocktails.

 Yet another rental run by a "property management" company

(122 North Third)

 It's leaning a bit.

(Seen from North Second, near Rotary Park)

 Two-month-old dumpster

(Second & Walnut)

 Limbs down...for a few weeks...at a borough property...on Walnut

 Ironic that a WATER company is bleeding us DRY.

 Historic building with five - count 'em, FIVE - meters

(300 block of Chestnut)

 Victim of traffic regulations

 All in a row

 Hangin' out at the Watch & Clock Museum

 It's leaning a bit.

(High School hill)

 Don't go that way. Walk the straight and narrow.

 Signs in the window at 124 North Fifth

 About that bypass . . .

Wasn't it supposed to keep these things outta here?

 Sun-kissed medallion

 Goin' down that long, lonesome highway

"One of these days I'm gonna settle down

But till I do I won't be hanging round

Going down that long lonesome highway

Gonna live life my way"

("Long Lonesome Highway"

Michael Parks)

Three ways to challenge the Water Company's proposed rate hike

Columbia Water Company customers recently received the letter shown below, which explains how much a proposed increase will cost, on average.

The letter also explains three ways customers can challenge the increase, including filing a complaint with the PUC, writing a letter to the Columbia Water Company, and being a witness at a public hearing if one is held. The last increase for Columbia customers was in 2013.

Chestnut Street Fourth of July Yard Sale

July 4 - More than just a day off

July 4 is Independence Day and should be remembered as more than just a day off from work.  The video below, although a bit dramatic, shows the reason we celebrate this holiday.

Learn the basics of life insurance at the library today

Street sweeper running as scheduled today Monday July 3

JULY 2017 Calendar of Events - Columbia Library

Columbia Water Co. seeks 13.2% rate increase

Columbia Water Co. is seeking state permission to raise its residential rate by 13.2 percent, to recover the cost of improving its system and providing service.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/business/local_business/columbia-water-co-seeks-rate-increase/article_aceb5a56-5d89-11e7-aca4-7b72b1db4871.html

Lebanon follows Columbia's lead on Land Bank

Columbia Borough in Lancaster County put up $100,000 of its own money to jump start the process.

MORE:

http://www.ldnews.com/story/news/2017/06/29/could-land-bank-fix-lebanons-nuisance-properties/435252001/

10,000 SF for lease above Tollbooth Antiques

For Susquehanna Glass, Dropping Health Insurance Worked -- But Only For A While | Forbes

"I was a small company, with a small policy," he recalled recently, "and I started getting killed."

MORE:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robbmandelbaum/2017/06/28/for-one-manufacturer-dropping-health-insurance-worked-but-only-for-a-while/?c=0&s=OwnersManual

Financial Workshop at Columbia Life Network Tuesday, July 11

HEARD About Town

Borough officials have enlisted the help of Hospitality Marketers International, Inc., a Wisconsin-based firm, to perform a feasibility study regarding a hotel.

Currently, Columbia has no lodging for out-of-town guests. Information gathered suggests this would be a boost for the town. Visitors to Columbia Crossing, the Northwest River Trail, Turkey Hill Experience, the Watch and Clock Museum, Historic Society, and the many antique shops may welcome the opportunity to stay overnight.

Visitors staying longer will most likely spend more than just time here.

The study will cost under $5,000 and is expected to be finalized by August.