COLUMBIA SPY

Emergency personnel responded to a Class 2 accident involving a midsize Ford SUV and an RRTA bus today at about 4:30 p.m. at Lancaster Avenue and Locust.  One person, a passenger in the SUV, was injured and taken by ambulance. The SUV sustained front end damage, while the bus was relatively unscathed.

And they don't look good for Columbia.  High school scores are near the bottom again.  The only consolation is they're not as bad as last time: up 1.5%. Go  HERE  for more information.

I predict people will be running away from this opening: http:// jobs.lancasteronline.com /mobile/ jobpage.htm ? AffId =2555& DirectApply =11974094

Columbia Borough Council tabled a resolution empowering police to enforce park rules at Locust Street Park, until its November 10 meeting, due to insurance issues.  At its October 27 Meeting of the Whole, c ouncil considered Resolution 14-18, a lease agreement with the Old Columbia Public Grounds Company (OCPGC) to give the borough jurisdiction over the park. Park maintenance would continue to be handled by OCPGC. Currently, police cannot legally enforce park rules unless requested by OCPGC but can enforce laws in the Crimes Code. A motion was made and seconded to accept the resolution, but a spontaneous discussion erupted before the measure could be voted on.  Councillor Jim Smith asked why  police cited people for offenses there in the past, since the  park has always been private property.  Borough Manager Sam Sulkosky explained, "Since it's private property, our police are limited on what they can enforce and what they can't enforce." Smith replied, "Th...

Seen today . . .  One of the recently planted arborvitae trees at the Visitors Center at Columbia River Park has been pulled out of the soil, revealing the root ball.  The refractor lens on one of the new bridge lights is broken. Note the chipped paint and indentations on the top rim. This is the opposite side of the same light. It's located on the Columbia side, above the sidewalk.

Standing, L-R: Bill Kloidt, Tom Mimnall, Amy Evans, Mark Zeamer, Ron Fritz Seated: Claire Storm The Columbia Tree Society has begun its annual membership drive for 2015. The society is the fundraising auxiliary for the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission. Membership dues enable the shade tree commission to purchase and maintain street trees in the borough. Over the last 20 years, the Shade Tree Commission planted approximately 770 trees in the community, as well as maintaining street trees, and has received the National Arbor Day Foundation's "TREE CITY USA" designation for 22 consecutive years. The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission strives to encourage street tree plantings as well as yards, parks, and public places, since trees retain large volumes of rainfall, thereby reducing and cleansing runoff. They also increase property values, reduce air pollution, calm traffic, and lower noise levels. Manageable stormwater runoff results from abundant tre...