About Town

Photos from around Columbia over the past week...

The Grinch is at it again.

This time he's playing Cupid at Tacos to Go.

***

 Someone left a motorcycle trophy outside.

 Someone left a Flyers trashcan outside.

(Is someone making a statement?)

 Flagpoles at the bridge plaza.

There might be a presentation with flags flying on May 26 of this year.

 This is what happens when you leave a stump unattended for too long - It grows a hubcap.

***

 Interior of the Market House

 Workers were seen removing stands last Thursday.

Columbia Borough is receiving bids until March 7, 2018 for the leasing of the building.

The legal notice is HERE.

***

 One of several unofficial NO PARKING signs near South 6th & Locust last week.

 Hey, who snapped this tree on North 3rd (near Hinkle's)?

Maybe one of the "covert" cameras saw the perpetrator.

 Deflating

(We all have days like this.)

 117 & 119 North 5th:

Renovated and ready to rent.

 Snowman on the 500 block of Chestnut

 And an accomplice

Although this one on South 4th will probably last longer.

 Leaving town

 Steel plates? We got 'em!

 Renovating at Hinkle's

 City Gate's events calendar

 Free coffee, donut, and tour

 Well....

 Happy Birthday!

 Way up high at St. Peter's Apartments

 Yep, way up high

 Fallen bricks on the 300 block of South 4th

 Some sort of towers on their sides on the first block of Barber

Glass, lots o' glass

(301 Locust)

 More work behind the Rising Sun/Prudhomme's building

 Here's a longer view.

Up the ladder

***

 Guys removing slate shingles at the library

 Hard at work

 View from the front

 Stacking them on the skid

 The big picture

Heavy load, higher and higher

***

What's happening here?

 Looks like Art Printing at the bottom of Locust got their windows painted.

 Lookin' good!

 Here's their hanging sign.

No worries - the original is now inside the shop.

***

 Civil War bridge pier near the Veterans Memorial Bridge

 Meanwhile, over at Columbia Crossing, the seagulls are re-enacting a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds.

 Jet ski storage along Heritage Drive

 This past Saturday, the river starting creeping up again.

 Fortunately, this sentinel kept watch.

On Sunday, it crept further.

***

 Out at 1019 Lancaster Avenue, this humble house has seen its last days. Demolition has begun.

 Here's the back roof in the back yard.

 Most of the debris went directly into the purple dumpster.

 Here's what it looked like from the other side of the street.

 And closer up

 Tearing it down

 Going, going, gone!

Another one bites the dust, or in this case - the mud!

Jim Warner, who transformed waste authority into national model, built community projects, to retire

When studies showed trash trucks made up one-third of the truck traffic driving through Columbia Borough, the authority financed one-third the cost of a study for a new bypass.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/jim-warner-who-transformed-waste-authority-into-national-model-built/article_603865dc-135a-11e8-a38c-7bf168969a40.html

Lancaster County's Underground Railroad heritage celebrated with programs, new markers

Columbia Borough officials are working to preserve the Underground Railroad history on the Susquehanna River waterfront.

African-Americans seeking freedom, and aided by Underground Railroad volunteers, came to Columbia across the Susquehanna at the site of an old wooden bridge there.

"That's so important in the Underground Railroad story," says Randolph Harris of the African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania. Nearby are ruins of locks and a dam that were part of a canal system that was also part of the Underground Railroad, he says.

"The old piers and the old canal ruins are part of a new (riverfront redevelopment) plan that's being worked on by Columbia Borough," Harris says. "They will do whatever they can to preserve those ruins. I'm confident they're going to do a nice job of telling the story ... to the educational and economic benefit of the area."

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/features/trending/lancaster-county-s-underground-railroad-heritage-celebrated-with-programs-new/article_c6fd11c4-1557-11e8-97e9-0762d6f5e09b.html

Manheim Township foresees 'potentially lengthy and costly legal process' in tax collector lawsuit

In order for a school district to lawfully collect its own taxes, the elected tax collector must permit — or "deputize" — the school district to do so.

Out of 17 school districts in the county — only Conestoga Valley doesn't collect school property taxes in-house.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/manheim-township-foresees-potentially-lengthy-and-costly-legal-process-in/article_4ebdcc68-1362-11e8-bf64-f77e8c7d8649.html

Columbia PA Neighborhood Watch group releases 1st newsletter

CBFD to hold 1st Annual Cornhole Tournament March 31, 2018

Borough to undertake major lighting project at $300,000+

A part of Columbia will be looking a bit brighter soon thanks to a major lighting project currently in the works. On Monday night, borough council voted to purchase and install new lights along Route 462, from Second Street to Union, with an approximate price tag of $300,000 plus installation costs. Each of the 60 cast iron lampposts, with attached cross arm, will be about 24 feet high and will support "lechmere-style" luminaire fixtures with LED lighting. (Additional information about the luminaires can be downloaded HERE.)

The red line on the map shows where lights will be installed. 

"This project is part of the bond proceeds," explained Councillor Cleon Berntheizel. [In November 2016, council voted to approve a series of general obligation bonds that can be used to finance capital projects and other things.]

Berntheizel said that the project was initially planned "years ago" and that electric conduits are already in place along the route. He also noted that this is the first phase of the project, with a planned second phase continuing to Malleable Road.

Public Works Director Ron Miller said the lampposts have an added benefit, in that they are high enough to accommodate larger Christmas ornaments. Miller added that the posts will replace any fixtures and posts currently state-owned.

Drawing of lamppost with cross arm and luminaire

Miller said U.S. Congress's infrastructure bill might provide additional funding and that PPL could provide rebates due to the use of LED lighting. Mayor Leo Lutz added, "I feel certain with Columbia Borough's administrative team, that if money can be found anywhere, they will find it." Of the undertaking, Lutz noted, "This is more of a beautification project."

In a unanimous vote, council passed the measure but without discussing specific prices. Later in the citizen comments section of the meeting, Frank Doutrich asked about the omission. Assistant Borough Manager Rebecca Denlinger said the figure is in the community development minutes. Council President Kelly Murphy concurred. "It was talked about at length at community development," he said. Ron Miller then provided the roughly $300,000 figure for the cost of lights, not including installation.

In reference to the lighting project, the following is an excerpt from the December 2017 Community Development meeting minutes, with no specific figures discussed: 

 "The Committee asked for Rebecca to work with Ron Miller to provide the cost for the street lighting project to run either from the Rt. 462 Bridge to Union Street or from the Rt. 462 Bridge to Malleable Road."  

The January 2018 Community Development minutes are not yet posted.

Borough once again treats roads in advance of snow

The highway department treated borough roads today with a brine solution, ahead of the approaching snow. Weather.com forecasts 1-3 inches for our area, tonight into tomorrow morning.

Borough resident thanks firefighters

Columbia resident Deb Schleh presents homemade treats to Columbia Fire Chief Doug Kemmerly (center) and President Mark Fritz.

Columbia resident Deb Schleh surprised firefighters when she showed up at a recent CBFD meeting with a bag of homemade treats. Schleh, of the 300 block of Walnut Street, wanted to express her gratitude to the fire department for all of their hard work in fighting a fire that consumed several homes in her block. She was most passionate about the lengths firefighters went to in trying to resuscitate her dog. She remarked about their degree of professionalism throughout the entire incident. The fire happened November 4, 2015, but Schleh said it took this long to get her home back to normal.

[Columbia Spy reported on the fire HERE.]

Who were the first settlers to Lancaster County?

Depiction of a Susquehannock (1624). The handwritten caption reads (in modern English): "The Susquehannocks are a giant-like people and thus attired."

Susquehannock Native Americans lived along the Susquehanna River. They flourished in present-day Manor Township in the early 1600s, according to Ellis and Evans' book.

Their capital, Connadago, was located in present-day Columbia and home to around 3,000 people.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/who-were-the-first-settlers-to-lancaster-county-we-the/article_9df140b6-1273-11e8-8fc5-d74f94588e0c.html

Woman escapes alleged attacker she met at Columbia CVS

The adult female victim reported that the male pointed what appeared to be black pistol at her, and that she then used pepper spray on him.

The victim reported that after she used the pepper spray, he stopped his vehicle, and she was able to exit his vehicle. The victim indicated that the male then left the area.

MORE HERE:

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/westhempfieldpd/11465/arrests/lewis-john-christian-sr-one-count-simple-assault-and-8-additional-charges

Lancaster County School Resource Officers in the Spotlight: Columbia’s Troy Engle | Lancaster County District Attorney's Office

GO HERE FOR THE STORY:

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/da/11617/post/lancaster-county-school-resource-officers-spotlight-columbia%E2%80%99s-troy-engle

Submit a bid to lease the Market House

Columbia Borough is accepting bids for the leasing of the Columbia Historic Market House. Go here to see the classified ad:

http://lnpclassifieds.com/marketplace/advert/NOTICE-OF-PUBLIC-LEASE-OF-REAL-PROPE-NOTICE-OF-PUBLIC-Notices_27184

Columbia Borough 2017 Community & Economic Development Activity Report

The following Columbia Borough 2017 Community & Economic Development Activity Report was presented by Assistant Borough Manager Rebecca Denlinger at Monday's regular borough council meeting:

Draft Agenda - School Board Meeting Feb. 15, 2018

Draft Agenda for a Columbia Borough School Board meeting, February 15, 2018, at 7 p.m. at the District Administration Center, 200 North Chestnut Street:

Draft Agenda - Safety Committee Meeting Feb. 15, 2018

Draft Agenda for Safety Committee Meeting February 15, 2018, at 6 p.m. at Borough Hall, 308 Locust Street, Columbia:

citations | Columbia Borough Police Department

ANTHONY TRUOAG, AGE 52, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE  OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, ON IRONVILLE PIKE AND KINDERHOOK ROAD, 12 FEBRUARY 2018.

JUSTIN W. SWEITZER, AGE 40, OF WRIGHTSVILLE, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 500 BLOCK OF WALNUT STREET, 13 FEBRUARY 2018.

KIERSTEN RENEE WILLIAMS, AGE 20, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT  OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, ON SOUTH FOURTH AND CHERRY STREETS, 13 FEBRUARY 2018.

ROBERT W. SLASEMAN, JR., AGE 64, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATE OF TITLE REQUIRED, IN THE 100 BLOCK OF SOUTH SECOND STREET, 13  FEBRUARY 2018.

CHRISTOPHER L. MERO, AGE 55, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 1400 BLOCK OF LANCASTER AVENUE, 12 FEBRUARY 2018.

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/citations-17

Bridging The Gap (A Forum on Improving Relationships between Law Enforcement & Community) Tickets, Tue, Feb 20, 2018 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite

Are you a parent/guardian, family or community member who has been affected by the juvenile justice system? If so, this event is or you. One Accord Lancaster is hosting this forum in partnership with Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology's Black Student Union in an effort to bridge the gap between Law Enforcement & Community. There will be a facilitated panel discussion with representation from the Lancaster County Juvenile Court, local Law Enforcement a well as Community. There will also be two workshops including "What To Do When Stopped By A Cop" and the "Adolescent Brain".

Dinner will be provided

Transportation & Childcare (ages 7 and up) is available and must be pre-arranged by contacting 717-327-3971

Free T-shirts available for all adult participants.

This event is FREE and open to the public. Door Prizes include: Giant Food Store Gift Card, Chick-Fil-A Gift Basket, Texas Roadhouse Gift Card and many more.

MORE:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bridging-the-gap-a-forum-on-improving-relationships-between-law-enforcement-community-tickets-42517573206