Columbia community comes together Saturday to support family after fatal fire

On Saturday, night, people came to the Columbia Veterans of Foreign Wars facilities for a fundraiser for the family that has lost so much.

The night included a dinner and a 50-50 raffle.

Organizers say they raised a total of approximately $10,000.

MORE:

https://www.wgal.com/article/columbia-community-comes-together-saturday-to-support-family-after-fatal-fire/31062366 

Pilot program will train Pennsylvania inmates to be firefighters

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is working on a pilot program that will train inmates to be firefighters.

Supporters said the program could help volunteer fire companies that are struggling to recruit members as well as provide inmates with skills that can help them reintegrate into society.

York Fire Chief Chad Deardorff, who is also the president of the Fire Chiefs and Firefighters Association of York County, said some communities may not accept the idea of hiring people with a criminal history.


MORE:

https://www.wgal.com/article/pilot-program-will-train-pennsylvania-inmates-to-be-firefighters/31028671 

Agenda - Columbia Borough Council Meeting - February 25, 2020

Download the council packet HERE.

Millersville police chief hired in 'permanent' role to also manage borough

[This article is from August 14, 2019.]

Millersville Police Chief John Rochat has been a familiar face in the borough for more than two decades, and that won't change anytime soon.

Rochat, who picked up another hat as interim borough manager in November, will remain in both roles indefinitely after council voted to make the arrangement "permanent" at its regular meeting on July 23.

"I was honored that they asked me to stay on and do it," Rochat, 64, told LNP in an interview Tuesday.

The arrangement is rare in Lancaster County, but not unprecedented.

Rochat will continue to receive his salary as chief of police at $101,316 along with a $1,200 weekly stipend for his borough duties. A year's combined pay would total approximately $163,716.

The pay may seem eye-popping, but Millersville Borough Council President Daniel P. Ostrowski said a separate, full-time role would have cost the borough more with benefits included. The previous borough manager, Bradley Gotshall, had an annual salary of $88,000, according to LNP archives.

He added the cost savings "wasn't a driving factor" for keeping Rochat as manager but "was a side benefit."

Rochat will report to the borough council in his role as borough manager, while Millersville Borough Mayor Richard M. Moriarty will supervise Rochat in his role as police chief, the mayor said.

The borough considered 63 applicants and interviewed eight candidates following Gotshall's resignation.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/millersville-police-chief-hired-in-permanent-role-to-also-manage/article_8a8b9bdc-be09-11e9-984d-0b143e601570.html?utm_medium 

Columbia Borough Council President releases statement on interim borough manager issue

Official comment from Borough Council President, Heather Zink.

"The Interim Manager was a contracted employee.  The contract has ended.  It is a Personnel matter that I am not at liberty to discuss any further.

Additionally, We are in the middle of our search for a permanent manager and have no timeline to share at this time.  The Chief assumed the position of Interim Manager yesterday.  I have every confidence the Chief will be able to keep the data to day operations running until we have hired a permanent manager."
[Source: Columbia News, Views & Reviews]

Police chief takes over as interim borough manager

 According to the Columbia Borough website and Facebook page, Columbia Borough Police Chief Jack Brommer will take over as interim borough manager, effective immediately.  No other details have been provided at this time.

Poster contest for Industrial Hemp Awareness Fair - Winner will be featured in local businesses and online!

Calling all 18 and under...would you like to create the advertising Poster for the Industrial Hemp Awareness Fair?

If so, please design a Poster With Facts about Industrial HEMP and include the name of the Event, location, date and time and submit it to: susanlove616.sl@gmail.com RE: Industrial Hemp Awareness Fair.

The winning Poster will be featured in local Businesses and on the Borough's FB page as well as the Event page.

You will also be recognized at the Awareness Fair.
Thank you for your participation.