Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Columbia artist Mark Kise is accepting new clients and commissions
Mark Kise painted this mural of Columbia poet and painter Lloyd Mifflin on the rear wall of the Foresters building, facing the Columbia Historic Preservation Society. The mural was completed in 2014.
JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
Columbia artist Mark Kise is currently accepting new clients and commissions. Kise has been the proprietor of Kise Signs since 1972, which provides the following services:
- Computer generated vinyl graphics for truck, farm & fire applications
- Hand lettering, gold leaf, pinstripes,wall murals & sign systems
- Murals
- Logo Design
- Graphics
- Banners
- Graphic Design
Contact Mark Kise HERE.
The Columbia Market House is losing money; council considers cutbacks
The Columbia Market House [Columbia Spy file photo]
JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
The Columbia Market House costs taxpayers more than the revenue it generates because it operates as both a market and an event venue, according to borough officials.
Columbia Borough Council discussed the financial viability of the market house during its August 7 workshop, with several members questioning whether the facility should continue functioning as both entities.
Councilman Eric Kauffman expressed concerns about the market house's profitability. "I've tried so many different ways to justify the market house actually being profitable. Quite honestly I think it's very hard," Kauffman said.
Kauffman noted that the borough employs a full-time market manager (Bonnie Link) to cover events that often cost more than what they generate in revenue. He pointed to weddings as a particular example, explaining that while events require setup and teardown time, the borough only charges for about four hours of actual event time.
"We're paying a full-time market manager to do events, and the events are costing us more than what they're worth," Kauffman stated. "If you start raising the value of events, you're going to lose customers."
As an alternative, Kauffman proposed scaling back operations to employ only a part-time market manager and focus solely on running the facility as a market rather than an event venue. "I don't see it being a venue and being successful," he said. "I think it's very costly to be a venue."
In May 2022, council was poised to vote on creating a part-time market manager position for 28 hours a week at $20 an hour, but Kauffman voiced concern that 28 hours was not enough to do the job successfully and $20 an hour was too low. Kauffman persuaded council to go with a full-time manager instead, which it did in a 6-1 vote. Councilwoman Sharon Lintner was the only no vote.
Councilwoman Barbara Fisher supported the part-time manager idea, recalling that she had originally suggested this approach when the position was first discussed. "I do think it could possibly work part-time," Fisher said. She also voted to hire a full-time manager in 2022.
Mayor Leo Lutz agreed with Kauffman's assessment, stating, "You're right. We're probably losing money on this." Lutz also concurred that wedding events were causing staff burnout due to the long hours required.
Councilman Todd Burgard questioned the feasibility of the current model, saying, "I don't understand how it can be both [market and events venue]. I don't think it's conducive to be both things at one time."
Kauffman suggested limiting events to no more than four per month at four hours each, which would keep staffing within part-time parameters and keeping Saturdays for market operations.
Councilman Peter Stahl proposed a different approach, suggesting the borough enter into a commercial agreement with a restaurant or company that would rent and manage the space independently. However, Kauffman expressed reservations about allowing an outside entity to run borough properties.
Resident Sharon Lintner suggested that the borough hire two part-time managers instead of one full-time position to avoid paying benefits while ensuring adequate coverage.
Kauffman and Lutz noted that the market house is also unfairly competing with local businesses. "I have a problem with the market house trying to be a market and being an event holder - then we're taking business from our other businesses," Kauffman said.
Council President Heather Zink reminded council that financial losses were anticipated from the beginning. "I just want everyone to keep in mind that we knew going into this, it was never going to be profitable," Zink said. "We were always going to lose money on this, that's why CHI was willing to give the borough $65,000 a year because they knew that's how much it was going to lose."
Columbia Spy previously covered the CHI (Catholic Health Initiative) agreement HERE, which commenced in March 2019 and was initially set to run for five years. However, CHI terminated the agreement early, ending their involvement at the end of June 2022.
Monday, August 11, 2025
Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - August 11, 2025
Gregory L. Marcello conveyed 848 Houston St. to Rachel L. Harber for $202,000.
Ernst Randy L., Ernst Donna M., Leschke David L., Leschke Deborah L. conveyed 714 Plane St. to Valley View Capital LLC for $100,000.
Sommers Kevin L., Sommers Rachel E. conveyed 923 Blunston St. to Amos Smucker for $110,000.
Cleon G. Berntheizel conveyed 621 Chestnut St. to Berntheizel Cleon G., Kegerise Kerry L. for $1.
Maldonado Santiago Luis A., Santiago Luis A. Maldonado conveyed 644 Chestnut St. to Long Theodore Jr., Long Theodore Sr. for $215,000.
Alisia Charter conveyed 511 Locust St. to Gepfer Brandon J., Stine Melissa R. for $202,000.
Rick T. Crouse conveyed 1226 Lancaster Ave. to Joseph L. Crouse for $260,000.
Robitaille Investments LLC conveyed 18 N. Fifth St. to Shannon P. Williams for $325,000.
92321 Madison LLC conveyed 148 Church Ave. to Northland Cottage Homes & Renovations LLC for $14,000.
Trenary Heather, Trenary Jennifer conveyed 245 N. Fourth St. to Jrheller.com LLC for $160,000.
Sunday, August 10, 2025
About Town - August 10, 2025
This week's photos of Columbia
Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.
JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
This motorcyclist "caught some rays" at Columbia River Park the other day.
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Bill Mentzer (left) and Bob Warfel stand under a newly-hung Hometown Hero banner of William Mentzer III, who passed away recently. He is Bill's father and Bob's uncle.
Rick Fisher gave a presentation to council on Thursday about the history of the Columbia Market House dungeons. Fisher is leading ongoing efforts to revive the dungeons.
Here's where taxpayer funds could actually be put to good use.
Some of the awnings at Borough Hall are showing signs of wear and tear.
The Linden Street Build project continues.
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Workers from Iron Eagle Excavating arrived at the former McGinness property this week to begin soil remediation/stabilization.
They created small entrances on the 9th Street side of the site by clearing brush, but left scattered debris on the street and elsewhere.
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This open cellar is all that's left of the house that once stood at 700 Franklin Street.
Farhat Excavating demolished it in one day at the end of July.
Weeds along the tracks on South 4th: Who's responsible for clearing them if they get out of hand?
These weeds are getting out of hand.
Spotted lanternflies have been hanging around over the last few weeks.
Sold Prior to Auction
That seems unusual.
Sunflower and two visitors
A recently installed sign across the street from the National Watch & Clock Museum
A sunflower with no visitors
Festooned with morning glories
Do not smoke or use an open flame near liquid oxygen - for obvious reasons.
Free
Free
Coming soon
A chatty bird and his shadow
Stacked picnic tables at the Catholic War Vets
This bank of Shawnee Run is looking kind of bare. Two weeks ago, a LandStudies employee sprayed something there.
Chalk messages . . .
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Morning shadows
Sometimes, several signs gather in one place.
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