Month: December 2015

There were more problems with the traffic signals and railroad barricades at Front and Walnut this afternoon at about four o’clock. A Norfolk Southern worker reset the barricades, but as of this posting, the traffic signals are still not functioning properly. The lights on Front Street (Route 441) are flashing yellow, while those on Walnut Street are flashing red.

As reported previously on this site, the stop sign on Route 441 South at the Locust Street intersection was removed to facilitate traffic flow when the new bypass opened last week. Then on Monday, a stop sign reappeared at this intersection, only to disappear again the next day.

Currently, drivers stopped at the bottom of Locust Street are having trouble seeing traffic on 441 South due to the setback of the stop sign; the building beside the sign obscures the view. Borough officials are aware of the problem.

According to a borough representative, PennDOT will meet with the borough next week to hammer out a solution for this troublesome intersection.

The ADA access near the intersection of Front and Walnut is apparently now complete. This access point is part of the recent Route 441 bypass project. Previously, this ADA terminated at the rear egress. In other words, it didn’t go anywhere.

 Now, however, asphalt has been applied, as shown above, creating a wheelchair accessible walkway running parallel to the railroad tracks, allowing entrance to Columbia River Park.

Here’s a view from across the street at the Eastern Drillers building (the old railroad station).

HERE:
http://www.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=25751

Ring in the New Year with Father Time and Baby New Year at the place that is the center of time—The National Watch and Clock Museum. The Museum’s New Years at Noon event on December 31 is the only local New Year’s Eve party designed specifically for children during daylight hours.

Children will learn about the passage of time using traditional adult activities presented in a child-friendly manner. As part of the traditional celebration, the Museum will host a countdown with Father Time, complete with a balloon drop at the strike of noon. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Father Time will lead guests in a dance party full of fun and swinging music.

Activities include time to:

Make New Year’s hats out of recycled materials with the Lancaster Creative Reuse center booth

Pose in the Museum’s New Year’s photo booth while you show off your party hat

Play a New Year’s trivia game testing your knowledge of New Year’s traditions and history

Participate in family challenges like Minute to Win It as you race against the clock

Meet and greet with Dutch Wonderland’s Princess Brooke during story time

Create a time capsule to remember 2015

Write your resolutions for 2015 on Resolution Wall

Decorate a cookie like a clock face with Rivertownes PA, USA and enjoy it as a snack afterward

Accessorize with glitter tattoos and face painting by Mimzy’s Face Painting

Advanced registration is not necessary and all activities are included with regular paid admission of adults $9, senior citizens $8, children age 5-16 $5, children younger than 5 free, and a family rate of $23. For additional information, contact 717.684.8261, ext. 237.

The National Watch and Clock Museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association with more than14,000 members, representing 52 countries. April through November the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. December through March hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. From Memorial Day through Labor Day the Museum is also open on Mondays. Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead. For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717.684.8261 or visit our website at http://www.museumoftime.org

Columbia Borough School District has the most flexibility in raising taxes: up to 3.6 percent.
MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/how-high-could-school-property-taxes-go-in/article_f814d936-a998-11e5-8633-4be1aae1611c.html

From a financial standpoint, Columbia Borough School District would be better off staying closed after the holiday break.

“If it wasn't for the kids, we wouldn't come back,” board president Tom Strickler said in a phone interview Tuesday.

MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/schools-begin—planning-even-as-this-year-s/article_36d1b8b4-a995-11e5-b6c6-cbceedc5f336.html

The Columbia School Board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Carol Powell at a special board meeting Tuesday night. Dr. Powell’s resignation is effective at the close of the business day on Wednesday, December 23, 2015. Powell, who was present at the abbreviated meeting, wished the district well and offered a quote from Aristotle: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Powell has accepted a position with the School District of Lancaster as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at a salary of $135,000 (to be pro-rated). There was no public discussion of the particulars of Dr. Powell’s contract which was to run until 2017.

The board also approved the appointment of Dr. Kenneth Klawitter as acting superintendent, effective Tuesday December 22, 2015 at 6:30 p.m., at a salary of $115,000 for the 2015-2016 school year. His salary will be prorated beginning on December 23rd. Dr. Klawitter will receive the full complement of sick, personal, and vacation days given to administrators.

Drivers traveling past a residence at 15th and Manor Streets will be treated to a flashing Christmas light display set to music.  Listeners are invited to tune their car radios to 107.5 FM to hear the music that triggers the lights. The music can also be heard from speakers at the house.