Thursday, July 6, 2017

Columbia rentals exceed all others locally; home ownership 4th smallest

According towncharts.com, Columbia Borough has the highest percentage of renter households to total households (41.6%), as compared to other area municipalities.  The percentage is higher than the national average.

Columbia also has the fourth smallest number of owner housing units (58.4%) - as compared to all the other places in the area.

The figures come from most recent demographics data available from the Census Bureau released in December of 2016.

Figure 5 shows the percentage of renter households to total households. Columbia indicates it has 41.6% Renter Percent which is at the top of all other places in the area.



Figure 6 shows the number of owner housing units and it has 58.4% Owner Percent which is the 4th smallest Owner Percent of all the other places in the area.

Other Columbia statistics, such as demographics, economy, education, and healthcare are also available at Town Charts HERE.

Columbia woman picked up on warrant




Monday, July 3, 2017

About Town

Mayflies have invaded Columbia! They even attached themselves to a Columbia flag so that the invasion would be symbolic as well as literal. Clever little creatures!

Once again, they seem to be everywhere around town - even here, at the old railroad station, now Eastern Drillers.

Well, that's one way to light up your life.

 Reflecting . . .

 Up against the wall . . .

 But not everyone's upset about the mayflies. This grackle has a beakful of the bugs.

This sparrow, too.

 Speaking of birds, here's one who must think he's king of the world atop a finial at the Elks.

 A tree for rent? Is transportation provided?

 Street sweeper sweeping once again

 An armada of geese heading north.

"Free food" sign in a window . . . 

at 215 Walnut Street.

 And there's the food.


 And to wash it all down, here's a load of Columbia cocktails.

 Yet another rental run by a "property management" company
(122 North Third)

 It's leaning a bit.
(Seen from North Second, near Rotary Park)

 Two-month-old dumpster
(Second & Walnut)

 Limbs down...for a few weeks...at a borough property...on Walnut

 Ironic that a WATER company is bleeding us DRY.

 Historic building with five - count 'em, FIVE - meters
(300 block of Chestnut)

 Victim of traffic regulations

 All in a row

 Hangin' out at the Watch & Clock Museum

 It's leaning a bit.
(High School hill)

 Don't go that way. Walk the straight and narrow.

 Signs in the window at 124 North Fifth

 About that bypass . . .
Wasn't it supposed to keep these things outta here?

 Sun-kissed medallion


"One of these days I'm gonna settle down
But till I do I won't be hanging round
Going down that long lonesome highway
Gonna live life my way"
("Long Lonesome Highway"

Three ways to challenge the Water Company's proposed rate hike

Columbia Water Company customers recently received the letter shown below, which explains how much a proposed increase will cost, on average.

The letter also explains three ways customers can challenge the increase, including filing a complaint with the PUC, writing a letter to the Columbia Water Company, and being a witness at a public hearing if one is held. The last increase for Columbia customers was in 2013.


Chestnut Street Fourth of July Yard Sale