About Town - June 8, 2025

 This week's photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images. 

June is Pride Month, but you won't hear a proclamation from the mayor. 

Love is Love at Lancaster Distilleries 

An upside down U.S. flag can be a symbol of distress or protest or both.

Speaking of flags, there's a flag frenzy on Bridge Street.

It's always wise to have a backup.

Tape and wire

There's a conduit on the side of the bridge. 

It appears to lead from these new panel boxes.

Enjoying the river

Purple pansy

Recycle the Big 4.

Sticker shock

Cryptic graffiti 

Constable

On Wright Street

An aptly named cover 

The yard has reached its limit, obviously. 

This time, the sign is a little more stern. 

Here's another warning.

Two satisfied customers 

A lost Amazon driver blocking the road at Plane & Franklin after sliding through the Plane Street "tunnel"

An old-fashioned hose reel at Tollbooth 

Obviously a vent

Water beds?

Inscription on one of the bridge plaza cannons

The lights are on again. 

Reading material at the bus stop

What's coming to the 1100 block of Lancaster Avenue?

The area is zoned Highway Commercial. 

Piles of ties on Heritage Drive 

The former Poplar Street School 

Only rain in the drain

The crane returned to the museum. 

Pleading his case

ASC wants you!

Public Works 

Watching the world go by

None "to" small

They're back!

Columbia Borough Council debunks rumors about McGinness Airport site

 

The former McGinness Airport site

[Columbia Spy file photo]

TRAVIS MUELLER | FOR LNP | LANCASTERONLINE

When: Columbia Borough Council meeting, June 3.

What happened: Council quelled rumors that the borough is negotiating a partnership or sale of the former McGinness Airport site with a local developer, after resident Frank Doutrich inquired about it. Resident Sharon Lintner also said Mayor Leo Lutz alluded to a possible public-private partnership during a previous meeting.

Possible interest: Council President Heather Zink denied those rumors. She stated that developers may be showing interest, but no agreements are in place and the borough must resolve zoning issues first. She also said the borough’s intention is to eventually sell the property, so they would not be interested in entering a partnership. However, council member Todd Burgard said the borough wouldn’t rule anything out in the future.

Columbia Borough Council had considered employing this development plan for the McGinness Innovation Park before deciding to "pivot."

Quotable: “To (Doutrich’s) point, anything is possible. We were going to develop it (the McGinness site) into an innovation park and had to pivot. It might require another pivot,” Burgard said. “That’s business.”

Preliminary Car Show Information (06-21-25) | Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/preliminary-car-show-information-06-21-25 

Conflicting statements emerge over Columbia Borough's employee ban policy

 

Frank Doutrich (far right) asked if council sent a letter to former finance manager Michelle Jenkins banning her from borough property.

Conflicting statements from Columbia Borough officials have raised questions about the borough's policy on banning former employees from borough property.

The issue was briefly discussed at the May 27, 2025 borough council meeting, when resident Sharon Lintner asked whether former Finance Manager Michelle Jenkins had been banned from borough property after her termination, similar to the action taken against former Market House Manager Chris Vera earlier this year. Council President Heather Zink said she could not answer the question, citing lack of knowledge about the matter.

A month earlier, at the March 27, 2025 council meeting, Mayor Leo Lutz said such bans are "standard procedure" that had occurred "quite a few times in the past." When asked by a resident about who had been banned, Lutz responded: "Probably everybody that left, including officers. It's a standard management decision."

Councilman Eric Kauffman: “That's not a standard policy.”

However, a different picture emerged at Tuesday's council workshop. In the mayor's absence, Councilman Eric Kauffman contradicted Lutz's earlier statements when responding to resident Frank Doutrich's question about Jenkins' status.

“I don't believe that is the policy,” Kauffman stated, adding that Jenkins had not been banned from borough property. “That's not a standard policy.” Kauffman prefaced his remarks by saying he did not want to misrepresent the mayor but maintained that banning is not standard policy. Councilman Kauffman's statements suggest no such blanket policy exists.

The discrepancy raises concerns regarding communication and clarity about borough policies, particularly given the mayor's role as a public representative. Perhaps the matter will be resolved if the mayor attends next week's borough council meeting.

Agenda - Columbia Borough Council Workshop - June 3, 2025

 

Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - June 2, 2025

Richard W. Eichhorn conveyed property on a public road to Elvan Investments LLC, Sepa Ventures LLC for $735,000.

Borough Columbia conveyed property on a public road to Columbia Borough for $1.

Glenn E. Keller Jr. conveyed 565 S. 13th St. to Steffish Wyatt A, Steffish Brianna N. for $285,000.

About Town - June 1, 2025

 This week's photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images. 

Joe's Steak Shop opened its doors in 1958 at the Five Points intersection (Fourth and Perry Streets). The restaurant, owned and operated by Joseph Tomcavage, built its reputation on a promise: "Our sandwiches can't be duplicated." Joe's specialized in Italian steak sandwiches, subs & pizzas, according to an advertisement.

Joe's became popular with the weekday lunch rush and late-night dining crowd.
Back in the day, the business hours were Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Customers could reach the establishment at MU4-9671, using the telephone dialing convention of that era.

Now called Mr. Joe's Steak House and Restaurant, the establishment is still in operation. 

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The bluebird of happiness is looking sad.

View from the Helen L. Schlossman Memorial Garden at Mount Bethel Cemetery. 

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U.S. Armed Services emblems at Locust Street Park 

The backstory is HERE.

Art by Butcher

Damaged flagpole base at the Shannon Armory 

Lancaster Distilleries in Columbia 

At times like this, you can't see the readout on the meter, but neither can the parking enforcement officer - leading one to conclude it's possible to park for free (?)

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17512

Squash blossom blooming

Something's happening under the bridge. 

Someone left their drinks there.

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Looking down Manor Street 

The rain was heavy at times over the past week.

Growing on the gate.

Workers moved utility wires from one side of South 2nd Street to the other.

More evidence of rain

The cover's off.

Was someone messing with the cables?

A spider web full of raindrops 

Here's another one.

The fountain's running at the VFW.

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Another curiosity at Columbia Curiosities 

Who says there's no such thing as a conspiracy?

Kayaks for rent at Columbia River Park 

The bridge is leaking . . .

. . . and leaching. 

More "wire work," this time on North 2nd 

A fallen tree damaged a resident's boat and a fence on South 9th Street Sunday morning (6/1/25). 

The tree might have been from the property at 700 Franklin Street, now owned by Columbia Borough.

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