Month: March 2016

River towns' cuisine on display at tasting event April 3 in Columbia

            Isabelle Warfel of Isabelle Cuisine

• What: Taste of the River Towns, offering samples from 14 eateries in the Susquehanna River area.
• When: 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 3.
• Where: St. John’s Herr Estate, 200 Luther Lane, Columbia.
• Tickets: $15 per person. Available through the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center, 445 Linden St., Columbia, 684-5249, or at St. John’s Herr Estate.
• Information: Visit the event’s Web page or call the chamber.

During Sunshine Week, and every week, open government is good government

In observance of Sunshine Week this week, LNP published a recent editorial citing examples of local freedom of information stories.
One paragraph in particular stands out:
“We would expect council and the borough’s open records officer to be responsive at the next meeting and make board packets available to the public in some form as required under the state’s Right-to-Know Law, especially since Councilman Hans Seidel publicly agreed with Haigh.”
Although this refers to the Mount Joy Borough Council, it is a good practice for all local government boards.

Columbia Crossing to open year-round with on-site manager and changes

The Columbia Crossing building at Columbia River Park is scheduled to open Wednesday, March 16 at 10 a.m. and remain open year-round with an on-site manager, it was announced at the March Columbia Borough Council meeting.  Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area (SGHA), a non-profit organization, will oversee operation of the building. Mark Platts, president of SGHA, said the key priorities at this point are developing facility rental policies and fee structures, organizing an advisory council of community representatives, and developing a series of programs, educational events, and a plan for permanent exhibits. A selection of 10 river art paintings will be displayed for the next two months. Platts also said that the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce will provide volunteers and an intern to help with the building’s operation.

Platts introduced Hope Byers as the on-site manager of the building. Byers, who has a master’s degree in history, was previously director of operations at the Amish Farm and House in Lancaster County. She also worked at Pennypacker Mills in Montgomery County. “I’m super-excited to be part of this project. I think that it’s a great partnership,” Byers said.

Platts laid out a three-phase plan for customizing the building’s interior to provide better functionality for staff and visitors. Phase 1 includes a work-station for the manager, a storage room for tables and chairs, and meeting space. Phase 2 entails exhibit, program, and event space. The cost of each phase is estimated at $17,500 to $25,000. Phase 1 has already been funded. Phase 2 will be funded through grant opportunities. Phase 3 is “concept-only” at this point and will target the area between the two bridges.

Columbia Crossing Interior Upgrades

Columbia 1st Plan to benefit local businesses and residents

The Columbia Borough Community Development Committee is actively considering a new plan to invest in Columbia, which it is calling the “Columbia 1st Project.” The stated aims are “To promote economic opportunity, growth, development & jobs” and “To invest in the citizens of Columbia Borough.”

The plan is seen as a way to reach out to local businesses to discuss issues and promote business growth within the borough. One goal is to create a directory of Columbia businesses of goods and services to encourage people to buy local. Also under the plan, the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority and the Lancaster County Economic Development Company would assist new and growing businesses in locating in Columbia. To that end, tax breaks would be given to such businesses during the first 10 years.

The plan also includes formation of a Community Revitalization Commission to benefit individual borough property owners through housing programs and low-interest loans for repairs and upgrades. The commission would be funded by interest from the recent sale of the sewer system to LASA and grants.

The Columbia 1st Project would also be promoted through the licensing of “Columbia 1st” merchandise, including hats, shirts, and mugs bearing the tagline “Columbia, PA. Simply the best. It’s a Columbia Thing.”

The project is due to be discussed at Thursday night’s Community Development Committee meeting at 6 p.m. at the borough hall, 308 Locust Street. The meeting is open to the public.

Columbia 1st Project outline

Mike Beury resigns; council seat open

Mike Beury (left) is shown here with former councillor Jim Smith at the Route 441 bypass preview in November of last year.
Michael L. Beury’s resignation from Columbia Borough Council was announced at last night’s council meeting. Beury said he is resigning because he and his wife are moving out of Columbia. Residency within the borough is a requirement for holding a council seat. The resignation is effective at the end of this month. 

Beury, who recently stepped down as council president, was a councillor for over 10 years. He also served on the civil service commission for 20 years.

Mayor Leo Lutz expressed his thanks to Beury on behalf of the borough. Lutz called Beury an active council person who helped make the community better.

Beury’s resignation creates a vacancy on council.  Applicants for the position should submit a letter of interest to Borough Manager Greg Sahd by April 8. Candidates will be interviewed publicly at April’s council meeting, and one will potentially be chosen that evening.  In the case of no applicants or no candidate chosen, council will have 30 days from March 31 to locate and choose a candidate. If a candidate has not been chosen by the deadline, a vacancy board will take over the process.