COLUMBIA SPY

Monday, December 21, 2015

ONE STOP SIGN IS BACK!

UPDATE: Sometime this afternoon - without warning - a stop sign was placed - or rather, replaced - on Route 441 South at the intersection with Locust Street. Originally, there was a stop sign at this location, but it was removed when the Route 441 bypass was opened last week. (Columbia Spy reported on it HERE.) Now, this "new" stop sign has appeared there.

Please note: There is no stop sign on Route 441 North at Locust Street, but the one at the bottom of Locust is still there.

So, to be clear: There are two stop signs at the intersection of Route 441 and Locust - one on 441 South and one at the bottom of Locust.

A few other issues: The "new" stop sign on 441 South is merely sand-bagged in place. Also, there's no Stop Ahead sign on the road to alert drivers of the stop sign itself. There's no flasher on the sign. In short, there's nothing to warn drivers that a stop sign has been placed there.

As we said previously, proceed with caution at this intersection. If this re-appearing stop sign is any indication, there's no telling what might pop up - or disappear - next.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Is Columbia's superintendent jumping ship?

Is Carol Powell leaving Columbia? Signs point to "yes." Currently, she is the superintendent of Columbia Borough School District, having assumed that position on July 1, 2014 for a three-year term at a starting salary of $115,000.

Shown below is a screen shot of Personnel Recommendations from the December 15, 2015 school board meeting agenda of the School District of Lancaster:

As shown above, a Carol Powell is slated to fill the position of Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for SDL at a salary of $135,000 (to be pro-rated). Hire date and effective date are to be determined.

No mention of her resignation from Columbia Borough School District could be found on its website.

Caution! Two stop signs removed

NEW TRAFFIC PATTERNS!

As part of the Route 441 bypass project, two stop signs have been removed on Route 441 at the intersection at the lower end of Locust Street. Drivers traveling north or south on Front Street (Route 441) no longer have to stop at this intersection. DRIVERS TRAVELING DOWN LOCUST STILL NEED TO STOP HERE - and watch for traffic from right and left - before proceeding.

Looking North on Front Street (Route 441): Drivers on 441 no longer need to stop when going straight through this intersection - or turning right, up Locust.

Looking south on 441 near the Locust Street intersection: Drivers traveling south on 441 no longer need to stop. THOSE TURNING LEFT TO GO UP LOCUST MUST YIELD TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON 441.

All drivers should use caution at this intersection.