[LNP | LancasterOnline] Local advocate wins narrowly in Sunshine Act suit against Lancaster County commissioners

Ron Harper, Jr. stands outside a political rally at Columbia High School, April 30, 2018.
[Columbia Spy file photo]

A judge has ruled that the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners violated Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act when it failed to fully identify public commenters and the subject of their remarks in published minutes describing three public meetings last year. 

The ruling, filed Aug. 29, followed a 15-month legal battle in which the plaintiff, Ron Harper Jr., represented himself in court. Harper's victory was narrow, in that county court Judge John Kuhn ruled in his favor on only one of several claims in his suit.

The judge ordered the commissioners to change minutes from 2023 meetings held April 26, May 3 and May 24. Harper successfully argued that three commenters who spoke at those meetings did not have their names and remarks adequately described in published minutes as required under the Sunshine Act. Harper was not one of the commenters referenced in those meetings.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/local-advocate-wins-narrowly-in-sunshine-act-suit-against-lancaster-county-commissioners/article_72b5b9d6-6edd-11ef-b941-d7826245722b.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - September 9, 2024

Fox W. Donald Jr. conveyed 459 Cherry St. to Sinz Homes LLC for $135,000.

Fry Michael C, Fry Diane M. conveyed 742 Chestnut St. to Josh Wolgemuth for $230,000.

Rubio Jose D, Rubio Ena P. conveyed 1024 Hilmar Circle to Rubio 4. LLC for $1.

Robert F. Granzow conveyed 831 Walnut St. to Supplee Mcnichol Charles Francis, Mcnichol Charles Francis Supplee, Thomas Kane Matthew for $389,900.

Geltmacher Amanda L, Wolfe Amanda L. conveyed 134 N. 11th St. to Geltmacher Amanda L, Geltmacher Christopher for $1.

The estate of Ruth N. Faus conveyed 226 S. Second St. to Timothy B. Funk for $67,000.

About Town - September 8, 2024

 This week's photos of Columbia 

(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)

Out for a morning run

Abe is starting to rust

He's on the highway marker on the 300 block of Chestnut 

Look who's on the ballot.

This surveyor took measurements at various spots around Front Street, Locust Street, and South 2nd Street the other day.

He also had an assistant.

Lights on at the historic building on Bank Street

A sign of the season?

He was on Barber Street with his master.

One foot is lighter in color than the others.

Could his name be Gordon Lightfoot?

Sunflower-shrouded signs

Fishermen on the rocks

A cock's comb looking like an alien brain

Words to live by

Meanwhile, at Tollbooth . . .

*****************

Relaxing at River Park 

A former river rescue boat repurposed for family enjoyment?

Back at Tollbooth 

A truck with some messages 

Water Company work on South 3rd

Trains travel in both directions, so LOOK.

At Slaymakers in Washington Boro

An interim repair project on the bridge will start on Monday and could last until November 18.

Some folks still aren't understanding the purpose of this container. It holds empty bags to be used for dog poop. It is not a repository for USED bags.

Police incident on the first block of 6th Street

Roofwork at Columbia Crossing 

One of three warthogs that flew over the other day

A cat named Mizzy on Walnut Street

A Douglas DC-3 flew over Columbia this afternoon (9/8/24) on its way back to Detroit after appearing at this weekend's airshow at Lancaster Airport.

 ###

 

Columbia council discusses hiring single trash hauler for borough | Community News | lancasteronline.com

[Spy Note: Council hasn't adequately explained how having a single trash hauler would benefit residents.]

When: Columbia Borough Council meeting Sept. 3. Council members Joanne Price and Todd Burgard were absent.

What happened: Council members will explore contracting with a single trash hauler for the borough instead of allowing residents and businesses to choose from one of the eight companies that operate in Columbia.

Why it matters: Borough workers have a tough time keeping track of accumulated refuse because they don’t receive notification if a company stops collecting trash over an unpaid bill or if someone fails to hire a company, Heather Zink, borough president, said, adding that residents and businesses could save money if one hauler handles trash for the entire borough.

Caveat: Borough officials want to hear public comments before making any decisions.

Quotable: “We may have residents who feel strongly one way or the other,” Zink said in a Sept. 4 phone call. “This is a pretty significant change from what they’re used to.”

Why now: The owners of two of the borough’s longtime hauling companies have announced retirements, Mayor Leo Lutz said. “The time is right” to select a single company, he said. Zink pointed to excessive trash violations.

Next steps: Council asked Evan Gabel, borough solicitor, to prepare a request for proposal. Members will likely discuss whether to issue it sometime in October, allowing time for public comments. A move to a single hauler would happen near the end of this year, Zink said.
MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-council-discusses-hiring-single-trash-hauler-for-borough/article_2447f72e-6c48-11ef-b3a1-1b346b92d60e.html 

Council to consider hiring Steve Kaufhold as borough manager

 

Steve Kaufhold (far left) at the June 11, 2018 Columbia Borough Council meeting, when he was code compliance manager for the borough. 

[Columbia Spy file photo]

Columbia Borough Council will consider extending an offer of employment to Steve Kaufhold as borough manager at a starting rate of $100,000 a year, according to the September 10, 2024 council meeting agenda. The offer is contingent on background check and drug screening, with the starting date to be determined. 

Kaufhold was code compliance manager for Columbia Borough from January 2017 to January 2019. According to his résumé, he is currently project manager/estimator for Lancaster County Housing & Redevelopment Authorities.

If hired, Kaufhold will fill the position left open by the resignation of Mark Stivers, which was announced in June 2024.

Building new bridge between Columbia and Wrightsville too costly

A new bridge would have to be built off-alignment, which would require costly alterations to the connecting streets in Wrightsville and Columbia and likely acquiring additional property for it.

Building a new bridge from scratch would move this project back to the very early stages of design.

MORE:

https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2024/09/04/building-new-bridge-between-columbia-and-wrightsville-too-costly/75016204007/ 

Trooper stabbed while trying to arrest Columbia man | fox43.com

https://www.fox43.com/article/news/crime/trooper-stabbed-arrest-columbia-lancater-county/521-040add0d-344d-4b53-b186-9bbfc4ac361a