500 block of Locust to be closed 4-9 pm Friday, Sept. 23

Mayor Lutz honors Columbia general at hall of fame ceremony

Annville, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs today inducted two new members into its Hall of Fame, recognizing their exceptional service to the department, the Pennsylvania National Guard and Pennsylvania veterans. 

Honored today were the late Maj. Gen. Edward C. Shannon, who served in the Pennsylvania National Guard and as Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania from 1930 to 1935; and The Honorable Jessica L. Garfola Wright, who retired as an Under Secretary with the Department of Defense and served as Pennsylvanias 50th adjutant general.

"Whether you call them Pennsylvania patriots, citizen soldiers or public servants, they both have one thing in common. They have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania National Guard and the United States with military and public service careers that have spanned decades, said Brig. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania adjutant general. So today, we honor their legacy of service as they take their rightful place in the DMVA Hall of Fame. 

Shannon, of Columbia, Lancaster County, was born in 1870. He began his military career in 1889, when he enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard. He advanced through the noncommissioned officer ranks and obtained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1893. During World War I, he earned the nickname "Two Yard" because of the reputation he developed for leading his men from the front ("two yards" ahead) during their attacks on German positions. After WW I, Shannon was promoted to Brigadier General. From 1930 to 1935, he served as Lieutenant Governor and from 1933 to 1939, he served as Major General and commander of the 28th Infantry Division. Shannon died in Columbia, Pennsylvania, on May 20, 1946, and is buried at Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens in Lancaster County.  

The Borough of Columbia has been the home to many brave men and women who have served their country, some who have paid the supreme sacrifice and some who have distinguished themselves in service to their country, said Leo Lutz, Columbia Borough mayor. The citizens of the Borough of Columbia are honored to have Major General Edward Caswell Shannon as one of its distinguished generals and greatly appreciate the honor you have bestowed on him today." 

[Source: Fox43]

Columbia's Edward C.Shannon named to military hall of fame

GO HERE:

http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/09/pa_department_of_military_and.html

Today is the first day of Fall - Thursday, September 22, 2016

Keep your feet off the wall!

Seen at Stover's today . . . 

Resident speaks out about lack of discipline at CHS

Columbia resident Joni Albright Groom spoke out about the lack of discipline and follow-through by administrators for bullying incidents at Columbia High School.  Groom spoke to the Columbia School Board at its September 15 meeting, with about 100 residents in attendance:

"I was born and raised here. I'm a true Columbian. I love our town immensely. It is part of who I am. The reason why I'm addressing you this evening is because of the ongoing problems at our schools with lack of suspensions. I watched the video that has been circulated widely this past week of the altercation in the classroom. It is very shocking to me, to say the least, and very disturbing to me that even before the physical altercation took place just how out of control that classroom appeared to me. Example: Students walking around, cellphones out, sitting on desks. In plain words, they were basically doing whatever they felt like. That's what it appeared to me.

"I witnessed firsthand, as I was employed at CHS for 21 years in the kitchen, prior to my retirement this school year. I've seen students throwing food at each other, teachers, co-workers, janitors, me, etc. I've seen students purposely make messes, be destructive, using foul and inappropriate language to myself, teachers, etc. Most of the time they were reported and written up, but the problem is most of the time they were never disciplined. In one such incident, I was personally threatened by a student, serving lunch I was, she said to me, 'I'll come back over that counter after you and I'll beat your m-f-ing a-s-s.' Guess what, this student was never written up or punished for this incident. Never. She was right back in there. In fact, she was never even taken out of the cafeteria that day. Never. I'm not so sure our teachers get the full support from the administration for handling these ongoing discipline problems.

"Mr. Strickler, I read where you said that the reason they had their cellphones out was because they were turning them off before class. Well, I plead Dr. Hollister and yourself to take a trip up to the high school and see how many cellphones are being used other than in the cafeteria. I've seen it firsthand.

"I really don't know what the solution is to these problems, but I hope we can all work as a community to make this a safe place for our students who want to learn and get a good education. In closing, there is an African proverb that says, 'It takes a village to raise a child.' Well, I guess that's what it takes."

Borough properties - some for sale, some blighted

The County Sheriff's Sale List for Wednesday, September 28, 2016,  includes properties that have been cancelled, postponed as well as those that remain active.

Currently, there are nine Columbia Borough properties on this list.

There are about 64 properties for sale in the borough at this time - three in one block alone. 
 
At the borough's September 14 Safety Committee meeting, Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Helm said there are now 25 properties in Columbia on a "blighted" list. 

There will be an "information only" meeting regarding the "Land Bank" on September 26, at 6 p.m.

This meeting immediately follows the public meeting for interviews for market manager at 5 p.m.