Council approved the purchase of 37 snowflake lights for Locust, Third and Fourth Streets, another five for Locust Street Park and 12 for Columbia River Park, at Monday night’s meeting. The total cost will run close to $15,000. Councillor Cleon Berntheizel explained that this is a sale price through “Rileighs Outdoor Decor” and is good only until the end of February.
The old snowflake lights are in storage, because the current lamp posts that line the streets cannot support the size and weight of those older lights. Berntheizel has discussed other ways to make use of the old lights rather than keeping them in storage.
There are four designs of LED snowflake lights that will alternate on the poles.
In other business, resident Frank Doutrich questioned why council tabled Councillor Stephanie Weisser’s resignation in December. President Kelly Murphy said it was due to the Christmas season coming up. Later in the meeting, Mary Wickenheiser also questioned this move by council.
Wickenheiser said that the interviews for vacancies were being done at regular council meetings. She questioned why there was a separate special meeting scheduled for this on February 6. Wickenheiser also announced that she would have to withdraw her letter of intent because she would not be available to interview on that date.
She also questioned why filling this vacancy was delayed. President Kelly Murphy said it was due to the holiday season. Wickenheiser said it made no sense to her.
There was a brief discussion of having her interview via telephone, but she did not feel as if this was an option for her.
Council voted to change the meeting date from February 2 to February 6 at 6 p.m. All letters of intent must be received by February 2, 2017 at close of business that day.
Addressing council, Frank Doutrich said “With all due respect to Mary, would you do the same for me?”
Columbia Spy 
That's true, it is closed after dark. It will be difficult to see the lights from the bridge unless you are walking across.Maybe the residents of Wrightsville will enjoy the lights, courtesy of Columbia Council.
LikeLike
Why River Park???
LikeLike
Let's put them on the trail for a Winter Wonderland effect. It will only cost taxpayers another $10k. Who's with me?
LikeLike
This town is a circus
LikeLike
That was done at the mayor's request.
LikeLike
Think back to when the River Park building was being planned and built, it was said to be maintenance free! We see now that it requires maintenance on a daily basis. Costs will be ongoing and those that can… keep throwing money into it.
LikeLike
the chief of police wants to shut down the police lobby & lock the door because public walk-ins are a nuisance! isn't that what the police station & police force is there for?
LikeLike
What?? That's why we are paying for a dispatcher and a police force. Wish I could lock the door at my job!
LikeLike
AND WHAT ABOUT THE MAYOR'S PERSONAL PARKING SPACE AT 3RD & LOCUST STREET?
LikeLike
I WALKED BY THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING ONE NIGHT DURING A COUNCIL MEETING AND THE SIGNS SAY MUNICIPAL USE ONLY, THERE WERE A LOT OF PERSONAL VEHICLES PARKED AROUND THE BUILDING, I'M GUESSING COUNCIL PEOPLE'S CARS, THEY ARE NOT MUNICIPAL, THEY ARE PERSONAL VEHICLES THE LAST I CHECKED!!!!!!
LikeLike
It might be the mayor pushing this. He answers to no one.
LikeLike
This Christmas decorations thing is interesting. Shouldn't this have been bid and do they know if they will fit the current lights? The spending is out of control and won't be stopped as Cle has control, which is another reason for the delay. He is running out of flunkies for this flunking town.
LikeLike
Please remember we already had 2 idiots claim they wanted to kill our police force. Why would you let the next idiot walk right in off the street and try it. we need to use caution in this decision.
LikeLike
Are the police going to stay inside the office to be sure that never happens again?
LikeLike
Not to mention the $50,000 per year to the Gateway Heritage group for another two years. Plus Columbia's flipping most of the bill on the reconstruction inside the building for the new wall (not Donald Trump's idea). Spend more money and no economic fortune for the downtown businesses.Though the snowflake lights will make it brighter downtown for the camera's to get a better look at the criminals at night.
LikeLike
Two Peas in a Pod, Lutz and Brommer
LikeLike