2023 – Page 23 – Columbia Spy

Columbia Borough school board OKs commercial advertising in schools | Community News | lancasteronline.com

The board approved a change in school district policy to allow commercial advertising in schools. In a 6-0 vote, the board codified a contract with Market Street Sports Group to sell advertising/sponsorship rights to local businesses for the district’s sports teams.

The school district receives 70% of net proceeds in a two-year agreement. No local advertisers have signed on with Columbia Borough schools yet. Sports facilities will not be part of the naming rights.

The district plans to use proceeds to fund future athletic programs.

MORE:https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-borough-school-board-oks-commercial-advertising-in-schools/article_4129fb38-4126-11ee-8b88-c7ea2c54d3f3.html

PA local governments might soon hire firms as managers – Spotlight PA State College

Local governments in Pennsylvania might soon have the option to hire professional firms to be municipal managers, a change that proponents say could improve local government services while saving taxpayers money.

Three sets of bills in the legislature would amend the governing laws for Pennsylvania boroughs, second class townships, and third class cities — classified by population sizes — and provide an alternative municipal management option. First class townships have had the choice since 2020.

Under current law, Pennsylvania municipalities can only appoint individuals as managers, a rule that state Rep. Bob Freeman (D., Northampton) said can be particularly burdensome for smaller communities that are unable to pay the salary and benefits of a full-time administrator or manager on their own.

https://www.spotlightpa.org/statecollege/2023/08/pennsylvania-legislature-local-government-management/

Holding local PA officials accountable – Spotlight PA

Local government accountability involves everyone.

In January, Spotlight PA hosted a virtual panel on Pennsylvania’s fragmented system of local government and how that setup affects municipal oversight.

Spotlight PA held a follow-up panel on Aug. 3 to discuss how Pennsylvanians can be better involved in local government and what to do when problems arise. Here are five takeaways from the conversation, which can be viewed in full on spotlightpa.org.

Throughout the discussion, the panelists stressed the need for the public to pay attention to local government, and emphasized the influence residents can have on municipal transparency. They lamented the decline of local news outlets, which had a long tradition of keeping residents informed. Without newsrooms, residents and officials can be further alienated from each other.

For local governments to be accountable, Elia said elected officials should try to make public information easily accessible to constituents and listen to them even if opinions differ. Primm said municipalities should take professional management seriously and promote strong ethics and technical competence among staff. And Fogle advised Pennsylvanians to talk with their neighbors and all their local officials, including those on authorities, advisory boards, or commissions.

“Accountability is certainly to have a fair process, to hear what all the opinions are, and to look at what is best for the community,” Fogle said.

MORE:https://www.spotlightpa.org/statecollege/2023/08/local-government-elected-officials-accountability-transparency/

Sheriffs and K-9 seen near 3rd & Cherry Tuesday morning

Three sheriffs’ vehicles and several officers, including a K-9 officer, were seen in the area of South 3rd & Cherry Streets Tuesday morning (8/22/23), shortly before noon. No further information is available at this time.

[Submitted photos]

Joe Lintner

Agenda – Columbia Borough Council Meeting – August 22, 2023

The meeting packet is HERE.

IF YOU WEIGH MORE THAN 10 TONS, STAY OFF THE BRIDGE – STATE POLICE ARE MONITORING VEHICLES ON PA 462 VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE

Columbia Crossing posts restroom changes due to vandalism

Columbia artist Thomas Hermansader’s work featured in State Capitol exhibit

Hermansader’s “State Capitol Art Display of Pennsylvania Landmarks” is on display in the East Wing of the Pennsylvania State Capitol and is free and open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday until Aug. 31.

https://lancasteronline.com/features/entertainment/columbia-artist-thomas-hermansaders-work-featured-in-state-capitol-exhibit/article_99d24452-3d11-11ee-81ae-734cae3b96c0.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Bridge traffic ahead: Crews to soon begin 4 years of work on bridges crossing the Susquehanna River

LNP/LancasterOnline:

Beginning next week, motorists coming in and out of Lancaster County using two bridges in Columbia can expect lots of construction work on the bridges over the next four years.

On Aug. 28, crews from Chester County-based contractor J.D. Eckman will begin preparing the Wrights Ferry Bridge to handle the extra traffic coming from the nearby Veterans Memorial Bridge that will be closed for two years in 2025 for a massive restoration project.

Work on the 51-year-old Wrights Ferry Bridge, which carries Route 30 over the Susquehanna River, will last 14 months, according to the state Department of Transportation. The bridge connects Columbia to Hellam Township in York County.

While two lanes of traffic will remain open during the 1.5-mile median barrier project that includes protecting the Route 30 bridge against cracks, traffic will be shifted away from the median to the right lane and shoulder.

Once work is completed on the Wrights Ferry Bridge, PennDOT can begin working to extend the life of the 94-year-old Veterans Memorial Bridge as part of a $79 million restoration project.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/bridge-traffic-ahead-crews-to-soon-begin-4-years-of-work-on-bridges-crossing-the/article_d7b00868-3e9c-11ee-9096-af9b774ba4bc.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share