The mystery of the wrecked police car SOLVED (Sort of)

A Columbia Borough police cruiser has been sitting at the Midway Collision Shop since last month.

During the citizens' comment section of Monday's Columbia Borough Council meeting, former councilman Frank Doutrich asked council for information about a wrecked police cruiser (currently sitting at the Midway Collision Shop on Lancaster Avenue, where it's been since last month). Mayor Leo Lutz responded in the following exchange:


Doutrich: " I understand there's a wrecked police car. What can you tell me about it?"

Lutz: "The officer was involved in an accident. It's being repaired."

Doutrich: "What happened? Anybody know how it was involved? Somebody hit it? It hit somebody?"

Lutz: "The officer hit somebody, going out of the alley, responding to a call."

(Columbia Spy spotted the cruiser sitting at Midway Collision yesterday.  It had been moved from its previous position.)

The cruiser sustained front-end damage in a traffic accident.

Street Sweeping to Resume March 19

2018 STREET SWEEPING SEASON

(From the Columbia Borough website)

Street Sweeping will begin Monday, March 19, 2018.  Please be sure to move your vehicle on the designated street sweeping days in your neighborhood.

Borough hires Susquehanna Heritage to run the trolley

Columbia Trolley Works trolley

[Columbia Spy file photo]

At Monday's meeting, Columbia Borough Council unanimously approved an "Addendum to Professional Services Agreement Between The Borough of Columbia AND The Susquehanna Heritage Corporation..." for management and marketing of the borough-owned Columbia Trolley Works trolley.

As part of the agreement, the borough will provide $11,000 annually to Susquehanna Heritage "for costs associated with management of the Trolley." The breakdown of anticipated annual costs is as follows:

• Trolley Management: $4,000
• On-Board Interpretation - (Trolley Guides-formerly known as volunteers), two part-time positions: $4,000.
• Support costs: (Equipment, signs, brochures, insurance, miscellaneous): $2,000.
• SHC Administrative Support: (Accounting, Personnel Management, etc.):  $1,000

Excerpts from the agreement:

• Trolley Maintenance: The borough shall ensure that the trolley is maintained and operated in a manner that complies with local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to its operation, including licenses and other requirements of the public utility commission and/or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Costs associated with maintaining and fueling the Trolley are the sole responsibility of the borough. The Borough shall maintain and fuel the Trolley so that it is readily available for use year-round, including maintaining a fully functional heat and air conditioning system. The Borough shall immediately inform Susquehanna Heritage of any mechanical or other issues that prevent the Trolley from operating. The Trolley shall be housed and maintained by the Borough at a location to be determined by the Borough.
• Scheduling and staffing: The Borough shall be responsible for recruiting, selecting, training, supervising, and compensating employees assigned to drive and maintain the Trolley. All such employees shall be employees of the Borough and not employees of Susquehanna Heritage... It shall be the responsibility of the Borough Manager to handle any personnel issues relating to Borough employees and the Trolley operation.

The complete document can be found HERE.

Former Columbia police officer charged with harassment

A former Columbia Borough police officer is charged with harassment by the West Hempfield Police Department. Dale Niles Wiley, 52, of Mount Joy was charged after an alleged victim said he had forced her to the ground and grabbed the sides of her neck during an argument that occurred at their home on Sunday, February 25, 2018. Officers reported that the victim had red marks on her cheek and neck. The defendant denied any physical contact with the victim during the argument.

On Friday, March 2, 2018, West Hempfield Police filed a charge of One count of Harassment Section 2709 A 1 (S) against Miley at MDJ Miles Bixler's Office in Columbia.

Charges were also filed against Miley in December 1994 for holding a gun to his girlfriend's head and threatening to kill her, according the March 2, 1995 edition of the Lancaster New Era. The victim, Rhonda Diehl, said she "was afraid for her life." After a preliminary hearing Miley, then 29, was ordered to stand trial on charges of terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, and simple assault. According to court records, Miley pled nolo contendre in March 1996 in that case.

Will a residence near a junkyard become a religious retreat?

1029 Lancaster Avenue

[Google Maps]

Fralu Realty LP is requesting special exceptions and/or variances to convert a residential use property at 1029 Lancaster Avenue into a religious counseling retreat, according to a legal notice published in Lancaster Newspapers today.

The notice (shown below) indicates the issue will be brought before the Zoning Hearing Board of Columbia Borough on March 28.  

Records from the Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds show that the property is one of three transferred in 2011 from members of the Sahd family to Fralu Realty, whose address is 1045 Lancaster Avenue. The address is also that of Sahd Metal Recycling. Total assessment for the entire tract (land and building) at 1029 Lancaster Avenue is listed as $552,200. The 16.5 acre tract includes a residence and a junkyard.

Fralu Realty LP and Sahd Metal recycling share the same address.

The property is assessed at $552,200.

The 16.5 acre tract, outlined in blue, includes a residence and a junkyard. 

Sunshine is Always Right

March 11-17, 2018

By Jim ZacharyCNHI Deputy National Editor
Editor, The Valdosta Daily Times

Open government is not a political platform.

It is a basic American right.

The political landscape is more polarized than ever and there seems to be little common ground for conservatives and progressives.

Transparency — keeping the light on the people's business — ought to be something everyone can agree on.

Instead, conservatives want to reveal the secrets of liberals and liberals want to expose the actions of conservatives.

Openness in government is not a liberal, conservative, Republican, Democrat, independent, Libertarian or freedom caucus issue.

It often appears that whatever party is in the minority becomes the champion of transparency right up until the time it is in the majority.

Politicians stump on transparency and are all about open access, until they have something they want to keep secret.

The need for transparency in local, state and federal government transcends parties and political ideologies.

Checks and balances provide few checks and little balance when officials broker deals behind closed doors and conceal documents that contain important information that the public has the right, and often the need, to know.

Local government has the biggest impact in the lives of people on a day-to-day basis.

Whether it is in the form of property taxes, sales taxes, business taxes, state-shared dollars or federal grants, loans and funding, local government is 100 percent taxpayer-funded.

The public has the right to know how its money is being spent.

The decisions being made, the dollars being doled out and the records being kept by city hall, the county commission, the board of education or the utility district all belong to liberals, conservatives, Republicans, Democrats, independents, Libertarians and even politically disinterested individuals.

All stakeholders have a stake in open meetings and public records and should care about transparency issues.

The lack of and need for true government transparency should be about the most bipartisan cause that exists.

Any elected official who truly cares about public service in a real and meaningful way and fully understands what a representative form of government is all about, should not only champion openness in government, but should be the most effective watchdogs, looking out for the public trust.

Sadly, those kinds of elected officials are hard to find.

The press tries to keep an eye on government and expose clandestine actions and in response journalists are often ridiculed, belittled and even threatened for just doing their jobs, as they work to keep government honest by making use of access laws.

But, the public needs to understand that access to government documents and actions is not just a media right.

It is your right.

—

Jim Zachary is the deputy national editor of CNHI, editor of the Valdosta (Georgia) Daily Times, president and chairman of the Red & Black Publishing Company serving the University of Georgia, vice-president of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, director of the Transparency Project of Georgia and a member of the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications Board of Trust. He can be reached at jzachary@cnhi.com.

Columbia man charged with DUI; other charges

Giles, Primie Demosthene - One count of DUI Section 3802 A-1 (M) One count of DUI Section 3802 b (M) and One count of... | West Hempfield Township Police Department

Primie Demosthene Giles

MORE:

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/westhempfieldpd/11465/arrests/giles-primie-demosthene-one-count-dui-section-3802-1-m-one-count-dui-section-3802-b-m

Columbia Borough deeds recorded: March 12, 2018

Columbia Borough

Brandon C. Kalbach conveyed 328 Union St. to Jason E. Noel and Linda L. Harris for $81,000.

Wgmc Properties LLC and Walter L. Siderio conveyed 571 Walnut St. to Joshua T. and Samantha N. Anderson for $76,350.

The estate of Richard K. D. Markley conveyed 238 S. Eight St. to Christopher M. Lenker for $40,000.

Bruce E. and Angela M. Gross and Harvey W. Harple Jr. conveyed property on South Sixth Street to Jonette R. Hall for $125,500.

Flinchbaugh Holdings LLC and David J. Flinchbaugh conveyed 468 Locust St. to Roundhouse Partners LLC for $60,000.

The estate of Deborah K. Ames conveyed 522 N. Third St. to Lorenzo Vale and Whitney Rivera for $90,000.

Columbia Borough conveyed property on Locust Street to Lancaster County Land Bank Authority for $1.

Bruce R. Roberts conveyed 219 Lawrence St. to Joseph Welsh for $55,000.

Jason M. and Jill L. Strange conveyed property on Avenue North to Ashley T. Seifried for $60,000.

USA Housing & Urban Development conveyed 236 S. Second St. to North Star Properties LLC for $18,610.

Groff & Ranck LLC and James M. Groff conveyed property on North Fifth Street to Acemac LLC for $210,000.

http://lancasteronline.com/business/deeds/lancaster-county-deeds-recorded-march/article_ba5e9a4e-2193-11e8-983b-ab7ce0319b51.html

About Town

Pics from around Columbia over the past week...

 Bunny with baby

 There's that one-footed gull again.

 Warthog - one of two that fly over our area almost daily.

 A speed bump - on a sidewalk?

 The Yellow Submarine, now with four-wheel drive.

 Parking lot-to-be on Commerce Street

 Ferals at Take Away Refuse.

 Wishful thinking or just dirty windows?

 Don't lose your drawers.

Decorative railing at the window of Rocky's BBQ.

 Decorative railing at Stover's.

 And in Stover's window - a sign expressing exasperation at customers being ticketed by parking enforcement officers.

Nothing like discouraging customers of a long-standing Columbia business.

 Case in point.

 There goes one of the enforcers, off to check the Avenue H lot.

Gotta stay ahead in the daily competition.

 Sticker shock

 More abuse of eminent domain.

 The shape of the signpost actually does indicate the bend in the road ahead.

 Houses at the bottom of Locust to be demolished for the planned apartment building.

Two parking spaces here will be allotted for vehicles during construction of the building.

According to the draft agenda for the 2-27-18 Public Works/Public Property Committee meeting: "Von Hess Foundation gave approval for right to sub-lease 2 of the spaces to 789 Main Street, LLC and permission to use their lot for the storage of necessary vehicles and equipment during construction."

 Owned by a proud miser?

 Into the drink?

 Well-fed feral who apparently depends upon the kindness of strangers.

 Litter on Locust

 The 400 block

 Some folks can't function without the street sweeper.

 A well-known local artist just bought this building at 475 Locust.

 Similar to the Google Car, it's the "Here" Car.

 It's a 3D mapping vehicle, as described in the article..."HERE"!!!

 A classic-looking light globe at LGH Columbia

 This one's on the 600 block of Poplar.

 Complete with rosette (and spider nest?)

 Over the moon.

Sing!

Spring is right around the corner.

The evidence is easy to see....

Togetherness

 Togetherness

 Togetherness

 Togetherness

 Togetherness

Togetherness

Historic building, with connections to the Underground Railroad, had many occupants since 1804

131 Locust Street as it appears today.

The building at 131 Locust Street, recently purchased by the Art Printing Company, has a history reaching back to 1804. It has undergone several transformations - first as a residence then as numerous businesses - under several owners. Chris Vera, president of the Columbia Historic Preservation Society, provided the following information on the building's history.

The House of Samuel Miller at what is now 131 Locust Street was bought by the Columbia Bank & Bridge Company for $12,000 in 1811 and was used by the bridge company as an office until 1872. William P. Beatty, treasurer of the company, occupied all rooms except the first floor to the right of the large central hallway and winding staircase. The house, located at the northeast corner of Locust Street and Bank Alley, was built in 1804, and before being altered for business purposes was a beautiful mansion of many rooms and large back building. All fireplaces and part of the stairway have been removed, and nothing of its former splendor remains.

The building as it appeared in the 1800s.

The history of this building lies deep in secrecy of what is known as the Underground Railroad. Many historic figures such as Stephen Smith, Thaddeus Stevens, William Whipper and William Wright held meetings of business as directors of the Columbia Bank & Bridge Company. This company was vital for transportation over the Susquehanna River and was owned by a host of shareholders. The first bridge was started in 1811, and completed in 1814 where a toll was placed on all transportation modes such as cows, horses and wagons crossing the river.

After the Columbia Bank & Bridge Company moved out of the building, Brenneman’s Feed Mill built the carriage and mill building. Their business flourished in the late 1800s to early 1900s until the automobile was introduced and feed for  horses was no longer needed in Columbia.

In the 1920s, the Baker Toy Company took up residence, where many patented products were designed and manufactured over the following six decades. Subsequent to that, S & G Printing operated out of the building until 2017 when Art Printing, owned and operated by Chris Raudabaugh, moved there from Lancaster.

[Columbia Spy reported on Art Printing's operation in the building HERE.]