Month: November 2017

Recent pics from around town…

The man shown here appears to be the creator behind several examples of what could be called “trash art” or “junk art” that appeared recently down by the railroad tracks along Bank Avenue.  The two dozen or so sculptures consist of found objects such as shards of glass, pieces of railroad ties, and various metal objects. This type of outsider art could be considered a creative means of recycling. Over the past few days, the sculptures have been disappearing – currently down to about half the original number.

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 2 a.m.

In a 6-3 vote Thursday night, the Columbia Borough School Board voted to hire Thomas Strickler as superintendent, effective January 1, 2018.

Following is the tally of votes on the motion to approve the hiring of Strickler as district superintendent, with a 3-year contract at a salary of $102,100, subject to compliance with all PDE requirements, and conditioned upon execution of a written contract approved by the district solicitor:

Kedney – yes
Schwert-yes
Combs-yes
Anspach-yes
Ford-yes
Knighton-yes
Hohenadel-no
Leader-no
Geesey-no

MORE TO FOLLOW

OPEN LETTER TO COLUMBIA BOROUGH SCHOOL BOARD

At the Columbia Borough school board’s committee of the whole meeting tonight to approve Tom Strickler, its current director of operations as the district’s next superintendent;  please VOTE NO!

Assuming board approval, Tom Strickler would replace Bob Hollister, who has presided over Eastern Lancaster County and Columbia Borough school districts since the 2016-17 school year.

The move would go into effect Jan. 1, one month before the superintendent agreement between Elanco and Columbia officially ends.

“CBSD and the community are fortunate that Tom is willing to step into the role in a district that is fraught with challenges.” said Hollister.  if you do not look for a more qualified candidate of course you will not find one.  Bottom line qualification for this position is teaching experience and then administrative experience.  This is not the way a functioning board hires a superintendent.

Sep 20, 2017, Holister said, “Columbia’s finances are more secure than they were a year ago. Columbia students have more technology at their disposal.”

Schools are not judged on finances they are judged on academic success. The Hollister/Strickler team is a failure as cited by Lancaster newspapers 2 days ago (chart).

Other failures:

Elanco, which was paid nearly $450,000 last year by Columbia,

Columbia high school principal leaving one month in

Business manager Amy Light’s resignation,

Hollister described other concerns, such as Columbia’s initial resistance to Strickler; this is not resolved it continues

Six board members stepped down in the past year

Hollister’s reinvigorated curriculum seems not to be working

Vickie Kronenwetter

A Columbia man will serve up to 62 years in prison for shooting at a police officer – one of several cops in the area as gunshots rang out in a Columbia neighborhood.

Marquell Rentas, 18, will serve 30½ to 62 years in prison for the events of July 29, 2016, as ordered by Lancaster County President Judge Dennis Reinaker.

Assistant District Attorney Travis S. Anderson said a local jury in September concluded Rentas “tried to kill” a 27-year veteran officer, who was one of many officers who responded to a shots-fired call on Bethel Street.

A jury convicted Rentas of attempted murder of a law-enforcement officer, conspiracy, assault of a law-enforcement officer and reckless endangerment.

Anderson discussed the shooting, but also statements Rentas made to police afterward, both at the scene and during an interview with Columbia police Detective Matthew Leddy.

Anderson called Rentas “entirely remorseless” for his actions and the “shocking callousness of his statements.”

President Judge Reinaker commended the brave officers at the scene that night and specifically Detective Leddy for keeping his composure as Rentas attempted to provoke him during the interview.

“It is absolutely and utterly disgraceful for anyone to behave that way toward law-enforcement,” President Judge Reinaker said of Rentas, while ordering sentence.

“Rentas is an unrepentant would-be cop killer with no place in an orderly society,” Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman said after Wednesday’s hearing. “We appreciate the President Judge ordering a sentence that matches the gravity of the situation.”

Stedman noted that when the shots-fired call was dispatched every officer radioed rushed to the scene. In court, Anderson said the officers responded “toward danger” and the officer fired upon “put his life on the line to protect others.”

Chiefs of the three departments who had officers at the scene – Columbia, East Hempfield and West Hempfield – were in court Wednesday, along with several other Columbia officers.

Rentas did not apologize to any of the officers. He said to President Judge Reinaker:

“Mr. Anderson wasn’t there. You [referring to the judge] weren’t there. You don’t know what really happened. I wasn’t shooting at anybody, I wasn’t trying to kill anybody… I’m young. It’s not even where I wanted to be.”

Trenton Nace also was charged in the incident. He pleaded guilty in October and is serving 10 to 20 years in prison.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright

Source: Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office