It's happening again

Old habits die hard.  Once again, old tires are being dumped at the wooded area near South Tenth and Wright Streets. This problem reached critical mass about a year ago, with over a dozen tires being dumped, after which the borough (presumably) cleaned up the mess.

Columbia mayor vetoes stay-the-same tax rate for 2015

Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz

Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz has vetoed the borough’s approved 2015 tax rate, which remains at 8 mills.

On Dec. 22, borough council unanimously approved the 2015 budget along with an ordinance to keep the tax rate the same as in 2014.

Lutz's action means that council will have to vote to override the veto in order to secure the tax rate and set the budget.

Council President Mike Beury expressed surprise when called for comment. Lutz had not, apparently, officially informed council of the veto.

"Unless they override my veto or change the tax millage to something I would agree to, they will have no money for the budget," Lutz said.

Council President Mike Beury expressed surprise when called today for comment.  Lutz had not, apparently, officially informed council of the veto.

Beury is confident the tax rate and budget will pass as proposed, despite Lutz’s veto.

“He's gonna lose,” Beury said. “Everybody voted for it the first place. They will vote for it again.

MORE:

http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-mayor-vetoes-stay-the-same-tax-rate-for/article_e3be2118-908a-11e4-9ecc-4b5d8ff69769.html?mode=jqm

Homegrown hemp on the horizon?

Columbia resident Shawn House has to import the starring ingredient in his Hempzels food products from Canada. He would like that to change.
MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/homegrown-hemp-on-the-horizon/article_07f33556-905d-11e4-8d31-47426f4d0c15.html?mode=jqm

State could be ready to rule if Susquehanna is "sick" by this summer

Last week, the federal Environmental Protection Agency, in its every-two-year review of Pennsylvania's water-quality plans, said it agreed that there is still a lack of data to declare the Susquehanna sick or not.

But that determination may be soon at hand, EPA said.

MORE:

http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/state-could-be-ready-to-rule-if-susquehanna-is-sick/article_76bf4084-9066-11e4-9a1c-c7c7fb43fbcc.html?mode=jqm

Little Boy Captures Video Evidence of Santa in Columbia

A Christmas wish came true for a little boy named Evan.

The 7-year-old's family helped him set up a video camera on Christmas Eve, and he managed to capture something magical — Santa personally delivering presents to his home in Columbia, Pennsylvania.

MORE:
http://wric.com/2014/12/30/little-boy-captures-video-evidence-of-santa-seriously/

Let there be light - Take 2

Yes, let there be some.

These three street lights on the first block of North Third Street (near Burning Bridge Antiques) have been out for several weeks. This issue was first brought to the attention of council at its December 8 meeting, during citizen comments. At the December 22 Meeting of the Whole, Acting Borough Manager Ron Miller said there had been a "hiccup" as lights were being strung, which had knocked out some street lights.  Are these the ones? This section of the block is very dark at night, with the only light available coming from businesses and passing vehicles.

Keeping an eye on things

Four new security cameras were installed Monday at the Northwest River Trail Services Building at Columbia River Park. Installation was approved November 24 at Columbia Borough Council's Meeting of the Whole. The total cost for the cameras was $9420, with half coming from a grant and half from the borough. Including an existing camera near the front of the building, the addition of the four new cameras (two outside and two inside) brings the total number of cameras monitoring the building to five. 

 A technician checks an existing camera near the front of the building.

 Installation of this new camera on the south side of the building is almost complete.

A second camera, almost ready, on the north side.

A long view of the camera shown above.