At 5 o’clock on Monday afternoon, September 26, Columbia Borough Council will hold a special meeting to interview three candidates for the position of market house manager for the Columbia Historic Market House. A proposal by Christopher Vera, a candidate for the position, is presented HERE.
Columbia Spy 
This Aquaponic idea will be a market money pit. Why wasn't this presented to the new market advisory committee? Did other vendors present ideas prior to opening their stands? Did any other vendors get to apply for grants? Is this a joint business venture with the borough?
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Oh yes, she left them abruptly.
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What do you mean he doesn't have a chance of course if you know something the rest of us don't know or are you a part of the coffee club? Also the one person who wants the job had it before why does she want it back again when she gave it up Should not have it again new person new ideas council be fair about this.
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Fair is not in their vocabulary.Examples: Joe Nicklaus, Frank Doutrich, Jennifer Davis, to name a few recent ones.
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In most cases, the work is done by the growers. About the only fee to the tax payers is soil testing,which is not much. Penn State extension service will do it.If the borough would ever sell the ground, it would have to be tested anyhow.
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Amen you hit it right on the head they don't know what the word fair means maybe someone should explain it to them.
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If the person is who I am thinking, she had the market house filled, along with the building beside the market. I do not know why she left, but maybe she is worth an interview.
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She wants it back because her “friends” on council will give her what she wants. The trust did not.
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She does, get a clue.
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They didn't have $20,000/year to give her. The borough will give her that AND more. However, it will be YOUR tax dollars they give her.
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Cole, please publish the results if possible tonight.
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No vote taken at meeting.
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they need to advertise harder for a manager there are not enough candidates it is not fair to the townsfolk to not have more candidates to choose from it is not that the ones that applied are not good but it there should have been more so they are not advertising properly lots of good people are looking for jobs these days and there should have been more candidates they can still make another run at advertising and see who applies please
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Hiring a market manager right now is premature. The borough is not ready nor do they have a vision for the building.
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You are right, they do need to re-advertise for the position. Only interviewing 3 candidates doesn't speak to well of the choices that have been made by council. In addition; all members of council and management should participate in the interviewing process since there are many facets to being Market Manager. We are talking about working with the stand holders, Public Works for maintenance, Finance for accounts receivables and banking, along with marketing and social media. I would also suggest Rebecca – the “Professional Services” consultant work with you in interviewing additional candidates. Definitely disappointed council not did a poor job at asking questions for people looking to take over managing a hidden “gem” in Columbia Borough. A place that has so much to offer and sadly not revered by many in the community.
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One vendor remarked about Burning Bridge and Kettle Works bring in lots of people. It really is this simple: They offer a product people want. The market does not. We need one really good permanent stand in market to serve as a base or foundation that smaller stands can feed off of. Aquaponics is not going to do that for the market. It would be better to pay one proven large standholder to set up under contract then to pay so much for the manager. That one standholder is the key to holding this market together.This is every bit as important as the manager position.
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Sharon you are absolutely right. In the original study done years ago, this concept was born. It was referred to as the “anchor stand”.
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Excellent point, actually, the right the anchor tenant could probably manage the market along with a part time paid assistant. There are also Amish groups that come in and run markets and bring all of their own vendors. Shrewsberry Market in Southern York county was originally anchored by an Amish group, and maybe still is. One or two of the Council members should pay that market a visit and talk to the Amish.
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There is an “Anchor Stand” in the market and this stand needs to be introduced to Lancaster County, Susquehanna Blue Smoke. Could he be the next anchor stand success story? I say yes. Over the last ten years there were some good anchor stands such as Taste of Style, Keagy's Produce, Pot Belly Soups, Rap's, Taco to Go, Sadie's Pretzels, Jill's, Sunnyside Bakery, Abram's Meats, Flour Child, etc. (Oh, that's right. These great stands were in the market from 2005-2010 when business was vibrant).TidePride!
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I think Whistlestop Deli will be the next anchor at market. Their signature sandwiches have received rave reviews from customers and posts online. Even when market is slow they seem to be busy. Besides they are open more than anyone. Wed-Fri 10-2 and the regular hours. Check them out.
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You are correct, Susquehanna Blue Smoke is a great stand with excellent food. Maybe that specific vendor should be advertised more heavily. Signs at THE and RiverPark “Get barbeque at the market today!” Everyone loves barbecue. Catch people coming off of the trail. They are hungry and looking for places to eat. Maybe a barbecue cook-off at RiverPark on a Sunday afternoon could attract attention. Let people know the stand is normally at market.
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if “Business was Vibrant” – why did they leave ?? Business was not Vibrant ! Susquehanna Blue Smoke , smoked them all !! .., and whoever suggested that they be the designated Anchor, that's a great idea !!, make them Anchor, give them free rent, and give them 10% of all income from any and all new tenants that they bring in and manage ! Forget this $50,000. a year crap !, of tax payers money ???, come on Council , cut us a break !!!
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$50,000. a year or more for a manager – the rents alone do not begin to add up to that much let along the utilities and expenses ! Economics 101
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The reason they all left because people cannot keep their noses out of the manager(s) business and try to control. Renae Sears had a good thing going until a few stands were complaining they were loosing money, but the majority were making money. When Sears got fired the market lost 40-50% of the consumer flow in the market.The only “Anchor” in the market was having the Trust operate it for over five years with an estimated five plus managers. This is why no one wants to apply for this position.It is amazing how many market experts we have on this blog. Stop the drama, get to work and make this market viable for the community. Council needs to open their eyes not only for the market, but the four business currently closing or contemplating closing: Fabshop, Geltz Gotz Goodeze, Keeping Room and Lady Bug Keepers in the next few months.Wake up people and start working together and make this town we live in a winner.Paul W.
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Locals must support Locals
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Yeah, it's only tax money
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