Monday, August 17, 2020
Citizens address borough council on housing, police reform, and Black Lives Matter
Sunday, August 16, 2020
About Town 8/16/2020
This week's photos of Columbia
(Click/tap on each photo to see a larger, sharper image.)
On for the ride
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| Artists at work |
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Looks like someone moved in at the old firehouse on 4th. |
Ready for concrete at 4th & Locust
And there it is.
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| A job, well . . . done |
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| Meanwhile, across the street on Locust: An entrance to a parking area |
Messagemobile
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| Great blue heron |
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| Seeing double |
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| In training |
Heading to shore
New color at Columbia Presbyterian
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| Part of Avenue I is blocked off for Market House construction. |
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| Ready for a pour |
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| A hornets nest on a gravestone |
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| Wanna get rid of that old TV? Just dump it in the alley. |
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| At Locust Street Park |
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| Still there at Rotary Park |
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| Here's a sign with a different kind of message. |
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| Mighty high crane |
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| Tiger swallowtail showing off |
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| Profile shot |
Grasshopper lazing about
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| Leaning a bit |
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| Masked cow |
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| Get your temp checked here. |
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| Safety requirements |
None of these are present-day U.S. Flags:
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| Are we currently great? |
Friday, August 14, 2020
Cannon Hinnant's death is tragic and should not be used as a weapon against Black Lives Matter
by Robert Misciagna
I was hoping to be able to write less about the merits of the Black Lives Matter movement and to transition to policy solutions that would help our Black and Brown communities as well as the working class. I assumed that we, as a community, were about ready for that next step. Obviously I was wrong.
I have seen several posts comparing the death, outrage, and media coverage of Cannon Hinnant to that of George Floyd and other martyrs. The way I see it, this is obviously an attempt to portray the Black Lives Matter movement and racial justice activists as hypocritical, apathetic, and silent. All while exploiting the death of a young innocent boy in order to force a narrative onto an issue that is unrelated.
This is especially apparent when many of those elevating the story have adopted the Black Lives Matter phrase “say his name”.
It is frustrating that we must continue to have the same conversations over and over again. The Black Lives Matter movement came into existence in response to inconsistent outcomes for Black and Brown victims compared to white victims, and how that enables wrong-doers. It was never simply about media coverage and outrage over the deaths of innocents. We already have laws on the books that affirm the immorality of murder. That was never in question. The problem is that the system often treats the cases of victims very differently based on the color of the victim/perpetrator’s skin, or the position of the person who committed the crime.
The fact is that Cannon’s killer was not a police officer, and he is already in jail. He is a terrible person who will likely get what he deserves. And that is a justice that many victims of hate crimes and police brutality may never see. It never took a mass movement for Cannon Hinnant’s murderer to be held accountable. It shouldn’t. But it did for George Floyd. And mass movements haven’t even been enough for Breonna Taylor’s family to see justice. Or Eric Garner’s. Or Philando Castile’s. Or Alton Sterling’s. Or Elijah McClain’s. The list goes on. THAT is why BLM is necessary. That is why their work is not finished. And that is why Cannon Hinnant’s death and that of the many victims of racially motivated crimes ARE NOT THE SAME.
Again, the outcome of this young boy’s case is a righteous one. The justice he is receiving, although no replacement for his life, is a good thing. That’s why it needs to happen for all victims.
Cannon Hinnant’s death was unnecessary and disgusting. But it is not a weapon to be used against the Black Lives Matter movement and to discredit efforts for racial justice. RIP Cannon.
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Study shows Columbia Borough has enough parking but it is not always easy to find
When: Columbia Borough Council work session, Aug. 6.
What happened: Council discussed how to move forward after a parking study by Walker Consultants showed there is adequate parking in the borough, including the downtown area, but that drivers find a significant number of the parking spaces challenging to locate.
MORE:
Columbia school board stocks up to reopen under COVID-19
When: Columbia Borough school board meeting, Aug. 4.
What happened: The school district has spent over $338,000 on supplies, equipment and technology needed to fully reopen schools for the 2020-21 school year. County, state and federal grant funds were used to cover these expenses, said Keith Ramsey, chief of finance and operations.
Background: In July, the board approved a reopening plan to implement various policies deemed necessary to offer in-person instruction districtwide in the fall. Ramsey presented a report that details each coronavirus-related expense incurred by the district. The administration has purchased $72,224 in supplies, $47,062 in equipment, and $219,404 in technology.
Expenses: To ensure the safety of students and staff, the district acquired disinfectant wipes for classroom use, at a cost of $60,722; disinfectant and cleaner, $7,000; various types of plexiglass shields, $4,981; 2,000 bottles of hand sanitizer; 500 face shields; and 15,500 face masks. Bathroom hand towel dispensers and contactless water bottle stations, $26,000, will replace hand dryers and water fountains. The district also spent $7,500 on 150 Zoom licenses, $89,982 on 150 AT&T hotspots and $86,400 on cameras, speakers and wireless microphones.
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