Junk artist creates sculptures down by the railroad tracks

The man shown here appears to be the creator behind several examples of what could be called "trash art" or "junk art" that appeared recently down by the railroad tracks along Bank Avenue.  The two dozen or so sculptures consist of found objects such as shards of glass, pieces of railroad ties, and various metal objects. This type of outsider art could be considered a creative means of recycling. Over the past few days, the sculptures have been disappearing - currently down to about half the original number.

Set clocks back

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 2 a.m.

COLUMBIA gets the gold

Columbia went for the gold - and got it, at least on a new sign at 301 Locust Street. The sign, which formerly read CLOTHING, now reads COLUMBIA in bright gold letters. It was painted by Chris Redding and Jeff Moore, as just one more facet of the ongoing renovation there. 

Go HERE and HERE for the backstory on the renovation project.

11-11-11 Club to host banquet and memorial service November 11

The 11-11-11 Club will host its annual banquet and memorial service at the Red Rose Memorial Post #2435 on Saturday, November 11, 2017.

Guest speaker is Lieutenant General Dennis L. Benchoff.

Born in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, in 1939, Dennis L. Benchoff graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1962. He holds Masters degrees from Michigan State University in Operations Research and Systems Analysis and from New York University in Economics Analysis. 

He held numerous commands, including the 101st Airborne Division's 20th Chemical Detachment in Vietnam; the 707th Maintenance Battalion at Fort Ord, California; the 59th Ordnance Brigade in U.S. Army Europe; the Red River Army Depot at Texarkana, Texas; and the Industrial Operations Command at Rock Island, Illinois.

The final assignment in Lieutenant General Benchoff's distinguished career was as Deputy Commanding General, U. S. Army Materiel Command (AMC), from July 1996 to August 1998, where his leadership and technical skills proved instrumental in enhancing the Army's logistics system. 

Lieutenant General Benchoff retired in 1998, however military service continued in the Benchoff family with his son Peter, who graduated from West Point in 1993.

The service begins promptly at 11 a.m.

The Red Rose Memorial Post #2435 is located at Fourth and Manor Streets, Columbia, PA 17512.

Tickets are $18 each.  Anyone wishing to make reservations may call Kevin Kraft at 717-684-2370.  

School board votes to hire Strickler as superintendent for Columbia schools

In a 6-3 vote Thursday night, the Columbia Borough School Board voted to hire Thomas Strickler as superintendent, effective January 1, 2018.

Following is the tally of votes on the motion to approve the hiring of Strickler as district superintendent, with a 3-year contract at a salary of $102,100, subject to compliance with all PDE requirements, and conditioned upon execution of a written contract approved by the district solicitor:

Kedney - yes
Schwert-yes
Combs-yes
Anspach-yes
Ford-yes
Knighton-yes
Hohenadel-no
Leader-no
Geesey-no

MORE TO FOLLOW

Former teacher weighs in on pending school board vote

OPEN LETTER TO COLUMBIA BOROUGH SCHOOL BOARD

At the Columbia Borough school board’s committee of the whole meeting tonight to approve Tom Strickler, its current director of operations as the district’s next superintendent;  please VOTE NO!

Assuming board approval, Tom Strickler would replace Bob Hollister, who has presided over Eastern Lancaster County and Columbia Borough school districts since the 2016-17 school year.

The move would go into effect Jan. 1, one month before the superintendent agreement between Elanco and Columbia officially ends.

“CBSD and the community are fortunate that Tom is willing to step into the role in a district that is fraught with challenges.” said Hollister.  if you do not look for a more qualified candidate of course you will not find one.  Bottom line qualification for this position is teaching experience and then administrative experience.  This is not the way a functioning board hires a superintendent.

Sep 20, 2017, Holister said, “Columbia’s finances are more secure than they were a year ago. Columbia students have more technology at their disposal.”

Schools are not judged on finances they are judged on academic success. The Hollister/Strickler team is a failure as cited by Lancaster newspapers 2 days ago (chart).

Other failures:

Elanco, which was paid nearly $450,000 last year by Columbia,

Columbia high school principal leaving one month in

Business manager Amy Light's resignation,

Hollister described other concerns, such as Columbia's initial resistance to Strickler; this is not resolved it continues

Six board members stepped down in the past year

Hollister’s reinvigorated curriculum seems not to be working

Vickie Kronenwetter

Tonight: Columbia school board may approve Tom Strickler as district's next superintendent, meeting at 6 p.m.

Tom Strickler

[Columbia Spy file photo] 

The Columbia Borough school board is expected to vote during its committee of the whole meeting tonight to approve its current director of operations as the district's next superintendent.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the District Administration Center, 200 North 5th Street, Columbia.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/tonight-columbia-school-board-may-approve-tom-strickler-as-district/article_64b0e5e0-bf3f-11e7-a238-4b29a12bf7e1.html