At last night’s borough council meeting, Council President Kelly Murphy read from a prepared statement expressing his opinion that the so-called “Knox Box ordinance” should not contain a provision to opt out. At recent meetings, business owners and others had asked that such a provision be considered. Murphy’s full statement can be heard at Columbia News, Views & Reviews HERE.
Columbia Spy 
Here's the ordinance verbatim:I. Establishment of Key Lock Box System. A. The following structures shall be equipped with a key lock box at or near the main entrance or such other location required by the Fire Chief of the Borough of Columbia: 1. Commercial or industrial structures protected by an automatic alarm system or automatic suppression system, or such other structures that are constructed in a manner that restricts access during an emergency as shall be determined from time to time by the Fire Chief. 2. Multi -family residential structures that have restricted access through locked doors and have a common card for access to the living units. 3. Governmental structures and nursing care facilities. B. All newly constructed structures subject to this Section shall have the key lock box installed and operational prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit. All structures in existence on the effective date of this Section and subject to this Section shall have one ( 1) year from the effective date of this Section to have a key lock box installed and operational.Unanswered, however, is the addressing of home-based businesses, such as on-line or off-line buying & selling of services or goods.In Columbia West (i.e., West Hempfield Township) the township specifies, “No multiple-family or single-family attached dwelling may contain a home occupation. And that B. The practice of an occupation shall be permitted, provided that practitioner is a resident of the dwelling unit.”Incidentally, there's no mention of a “lock box” program in that township's ordinances. Saw on a social media site, someone stated that all Lancaster County municipalities subscribe to the Knox Box practice; that's just not true.
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They already have them and have for many years.
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Well if you put up $1,000 to vote someone out then that means you could have baught 3 knox boxes!!! So if keena puts up $1,000 then she is willing to help other buisnesses out with a box, thats the neighbor sharing columbia likes!
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I suggest that the borough requires that two(2) boxes be installed, because if 1 fails, or the key is lost or stolen, there will be a backup.
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NO!!!!! it's all about control. there are more than 10,400 residents in the Borough . Are we really going to let them dictate?
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My suggestion, to help , is the the Borough mandate 2 (two) Knox boxes per tax paying business. This new ordinance will satisfy all questions of real security. Knox Box, aka lock box is a “single point of failure”. Keys to them can get lost, or stolen, etc. Do you use a single password on all your accounts?
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There also seems to be a lot of discussion about whether an insurance company will pay for a busted out door or window. Has any business owner spoken to their insurance agent about thi? They can answer that question for them. If they don't know the answer to that question then they would ask their underwriter.
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We have been allowing four council members to dictate for years. That's all it takes to pass a motion, four votes.Any decision, like this ordinance, or any big ticket spending needs to be on the ballot, not in the hands of four people. Same with the school board.
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I agree with the Mayor make it a choice if you want one or not. Can't the Mayor over ride these people. He just sat there not saying a word he needs to speak up. Do non profits have to do this also? Like clock and watch museum
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i agree. BIG TICKET items and controversial items as well MUST be on the ballet !!!! stop this dictatorship NOW
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Its called representative government. Of course they are making decisIons, that's what we voted them in for. Like it or not thats what we got.
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time to vote them out
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It is entirely possible there is a Knox Box hidden somewhere on the Market House, but we were unable to locate one as we circled around it yesterday in the late afternoon.Where is it, Mary?
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No, they are not representing me, I did not vote for them. And yes, I did vote, as I always do. They need less power. Any large spending should be voted on by the taxpayers. Big decisions that impact us for decades to come should never rest in the hands of four residents.
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Sorry to inform you but whether or not the person or people you voted for win, the person or people who DO WIN .. represent you!! Don't get confused by what is going on in America. Believing that this is not your council .. doesn't make it NOT YOUR COUNCIL. Read a book!
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There was a discussion on WITF radio this morning, a council member and fire chief explained why to have the box, and a business owner had the last word.Sorry cna't remember names, but GO Girl !!I don't have enough data to verify this link, can someone verify it has the story on it?http://www.witf.org/listen/podcasts.php
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You can also be hand picked to hold a council or board position that is an elected position.
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Thanks for the heads-up. The discussion included Councilman John Novak, Fire Chief Doug Kemmerly, and business owner Keena Soukup. It will be re-broadcast at 7 p.m., Friday, August 17, on WITF.
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89.5 on the FM dial…
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This Council does not represent me or my views and nor do they want to. It is my opinion that all of their decisions are made behind closed doors. They may be forced to “listen” to comments from residents, but they do not hear them. This town is dirty inside and out.
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AMEN
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When the BANKS get a box, I'll get one too
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Most towns the police dept doesn't close so there would be no need for one but this is Columbia under the mayor and council we have any thing goes
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Columbia is under dictators atleast for now
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