Year: 2023

When: Columbia Borough Council meeting, Dec. 5.

What happened: The borough must spend $500,000 on parking or economic development to receive a $1.5 million reimbursement from a Pennsylvania grant program.

Quotable: Borough Manager Mark Stivers noted the irony to council members. “WE ARE IN A TIGHT BUDGET — AND WE ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SPEND MONEY,” he said.

Finances: Council plans to take the needed $500,000 from reimbursement dollars once it receives them.

Background: The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, a state grant program, awarded Columbia $1.75 million in August 2019 to renovate the Columbia Market House and provide additional downtown parking or economic purchases or construction.

More: The borough agreed to match the state money with an additional $1.75 million from the 2016 general obligation bond proceeds. Paperwork committed Columbia to refresh and reopen the Market House, and to work on parking at Columbia River Crossing.

Dilemma: Recent structural problems on the Veterans Memorial Bridge, which links Columbia to Wrightsville, have delayed a planned $79 million renovation until 2025, according to the state Department of Transportation. The borough can’t start its own project at Columbia Crossing until PennDOT finishes, Stivers said.

Quotable: “We just don’t feel comfortable waiting that long,” Stivers said during a Dec. 6 phone call. However, the state won’t reimburse Columbia at all until council decides what construction it will do, and how much that will cost.

Specifics: Council members must decide how to spend almost $237,000 — the amount earmarked for parking at Columbia River Crossing.

More: Council members suggested repairing the roof of the Market House, fixing a timepiece on the clock tower that is five minutes off, and assisting costs for property owners who agree to put in a paved parking space behind their homes.

Also on the list: In addition, staff recommended projects that include buying license plate readers for parking enforcement, purchasing equipment and software to enforce ParkMobile, putting up three “Welcome to Columbia” signs plus a digital information sign at Columbia River Park, and providing parking. Another project would make Borough Hall and the Market House accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-borough-council-weighs-spending-options-on-parking-to-receive-reimbursement-from-grant/article_d828238a-962f-11ee-a646-ff9dd1cc4d75.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

For Jim Walk, playing Santa Claus at Columbia United Methodist Church’s annual Secret Santa shopping event is a matter of family tradition.

“When my dad was alive, when I was a younger kid, he used to play Santa,” at other events, said Walk, 68. “My sisters are saying ‘Wow, you’re taking over for dad.’ So here I am, like, ‘Dad, this is for you!'”

Walk and Mrs. Claus — played by fellow Columbia resident Sally Draper, 75 — were two of the roughly 30 volunteers who set up the church for the event, during which children can pick out holiday gifts. Organizers expected up to 100 kids to participate.

“You got games, stuffed animals, matchbox cars, I mean, pretty much everything,” said Tom Grubbs, who has been the church’s pastor for eight years.

Volunteers guided children through the options as their families waited in another room. Kids were allowed to choose as many gifts as they desired, with each priced at an affordable $1.50. Volunteers also wrapped each present.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-united-methodist-church-hosts-annual-secret-santa-event/article_ce6a58fe-9869-11ee-99a5-8b98725c8963.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

M&M Realty Co. conveyed 546 N. Second St. to Andrew Smith and Krystene Smith for $147,500.

Donald A. Miller and Angela Miller conveyed property on a public road to Adam M. Copenhaver for $169,000.

F&R Romas LLC and Giuseppe Ferranti conveyed 479 Manor St. to Nabilco Management LLC for $110,000.

Jeffrey A. McMillen Jr. conveyed property on a public road to Jeffrey A. McMillen Jr. and Carolyn J. McMillen for $1.

Lanco Property Investments LLC and Frantz Benjamin conveyed property on South Fourth Street to Thomas Meteer and Janet Marie Meteer for $280,000.

 This week’s photos of Columbia

(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)

Santa D and his elves were down at the bridge plaza this past week.

They were collecting for Toys for Tots.

As of this past Friday, they collected 12,692 toys, plus over $36,000 in monetary donations, according to the 96.1 SOX Facebook page.

Way to go!

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Here’s a shot of a vine-covered tree at the Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens.

These people were at the former McGinness airfield on Thursday.

A little later, this sign appeared.

(Shouldn’t it say PUBLIC PROPERTY, since we the people own it?)

And something else was added . . .

This construction fencing was placed in the field.

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Here are a few fog photos at the Holy Trinity Cemetery on Saturday morning.

Blue Lane Saturday morning

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It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas around town . . .

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Newfangled hair-do

AJ’s has left the building. Here’s what’s left of their sign.

King’s Discount is moving into the building where AJ’s used to be.

New in the Historic District: a red roof and hogwire

Council failed in its duty to enforce.

Entrance gate at the Holy Trinity Cemetery

The Lloyd Mifflin House, still looking good

A Cooper’s hawk paying a visit to Columbia Crossing

When you really, really, really, like the flag

Almost done – the Habitat for Humanity project on South 5th

The boys are back in town, or at least back on the bridge.

This is another in recent series of bridge inspections. PennDOT must really be concerned.

A new sign at Riverview Terrace on the 100 block of Locust

Another new sign

And another

This building on the 300 block of Walnut was once a bakery.

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A colorful sunrise

And a few shots of the sunset . . .

Sunday morning at Columbia River Park

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Saturday in the park – River Park, that is . . .

A wedding party gathered for pics.

Congratulations!

Jesse the Computer Guy has announced the grand opening of the Columbia Computer & Gaming Company at 436 Locust Street, which replaces the former Columbia Discount Computers on North 4th Street.

Columbia Computer & Gaming Company offers an extensive selection of game consoles, from vintage classics to the latest models, as well as console games, and also specializes in computer repair services, from software troubleshooting to hardware repairs.

Refurbished laptops and desktops are also available for sale.

Store hours are from [Opening Time TBD] until 6 p.m. You can also make an appointment if these hours don’t fit your needs.

Columbia Computer & Gaming Company’s Facebook page is HERE.

John Wakefield, Jr.

A Columbia man was convicted by jury Wednesday of sexually assaulting a minor victim for approximately eight months with the final time being caught on video by the victim, who set a camera up to catch the defendant. 

John Wakefield Jr., 48 of the first block of South 4th Street, was found guilty of statutory sexual assault – 11 years older and related charges following a three-day trial before Lancaster County Judge Jeffery Wright. 

Wakefield Jr. was also found guilty of indecent assault of a person less than 16, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, and indecent assault of a person less than 16. 

Assistant District Attorney Christopher Miller prosecuted the case and presented the video evidence from the camera the victim set up in a bedroom immediately prior to the final assault taking place by Wakefield Jr. The defense called witnesses that stated he was never alone with the victim, however the recording captured Wakefield Jr. in the act and was shown to the jury multiple times throughout the trial. 

“It’s not a he-said, she-said thing anymore,” Miller said to the jury during his closing argument. “This case is in your hands now. You all have eyes. I’ll let the video speak for itself.” 

The victim, who was 16 at the time, disclosed the abuse spanned from Feb. 2022 until Sept. 2022 and provided the recording to a neighbor, who called police to report the incident. 

Miller spoke on how difficult it is for a victim of sexual assault to testify about the abuse to a room full of strangers in court and detail the specifics to investigators. 

“[The victim] didn’t go through all of this to lie to you,” Miller said to the jury. “She did this to tell you the truth.” 

The defense argued penetration never happened and the defendant and his wife testified the abuse was “wrestling.” On the stand, the defendant refused to clarify which wrestling moves were shown on the video stating that he couldn’t demonstrate “without a bed.” 

Ultimately, the jury sided with the victim and deliberated less than three hours before returning the guilty verdict. Wakefield Jr. awaits sentencing to occur following a presentence and Megan’s Law evaluation. 

Columbia Borough Police Detective Matthew Leddy filed charges and testified. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc. Created Dec 7th, 2023 @ 11:30 AM

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®

: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/da/11617/post/columbia-man-convicted-sexually-assaulting-minor-victims-recording-presented-evidence?fbclid=IwAR2Mcch-XQRer0ZstpXsdOTeYeoHhxK4JtbO-nFY62MUij4bQJDs84vjbHM

Following is a statement read by Council President Heather Zink at the December 5, 2023 Columbia Borough Work Session, addressing the recent Sunshine violation allegations made against Columbia Borough. The backstory is HERE.

“Last week, allegations of Sunshine violations were made specifically related to posting agendas online for the HARB meeting held November 8, and the Planning Commission meeting held November 21. One of the requirements of the Sunshine Act is that agendas for advertised public meetings be posted at the location of the meeting at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. In both cases that was done.

The act also stipulates that if an agency has a public website, the agenda must also be posted on the public website. In both cases that was not done. As soon as we were informed the agendas were not there, steps were taken to remedy the situation. This was not an intentional act, but rather an oversight.

Everyone involved will be given a refresher on the Sunshine Act and all of its requirements.

As a note, the allegation regarding the Zoning Hearing Board meeting for November was unfounded. While the meeting was advertised, the Act has no requirements for notification of canceled meetings. While not a Sunshine requirement, it is good practice to properly communicate cancellations, and procedures are being put in place to make communication consistent in the future. As stated before, none of these issues were intentional. They were just oversights. Regardless, we’re taking steps to refresh the education for all involved and setting processes up to ensure proper and consistent communication. We understand the recent actions have fallen short of the expectations for local government meetings, and we are committed to doing better. Thank you.”

District Justice Miles Bixler (center) swore in recently elected board directors at the December 5 Columbia School Board meeting. 

A candidate elected to the Columbia Borough School Board has resigned before taking his seat. Cole Knighton, who won a board seat in the November election, has resigned from the board, it was announced at the December 5 reorganization meeting. The resignation creates an opening on the board. Interested candidates for the position should send a letter of interest by following the procedure shown below.

The board voted to approve the resignation of Cole Knighton from the school board and to declare his board seat open.

District Justice Miles Bixler swore in the following recently elected board directors for four-year terms: Charles “Chop” Leader, Lauren VonStetten, Kathleen Hohenadel, and Sandra Duncan. Michael Burke was sworn in for a two-year term. All were incumbents except Burke. Leader was elected as president and VonStetten as vice president. Jason Price II, Ryan Sexton, and Devon Fisher also serve on the board.

Standing, L-R: Charles Leader, Lauren VonStetten, Kathleen Hohenadel, and Sandra Duncan were sworn in for four-year terms.

Michael Burke was sworn in for a two-year term.

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From the Columbia Borough School Board website:

NOTICE
COLUMBIA BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY

Effective December 5, 2023, a vacancy exists on the Board of School Directors of the Columbia Borough School District. In accordance with the School Laws of Pennsylvania, the remaining members of the Board intend to fill the vacancy at a public meeting within thirty (30) days. The individual appointed will serve until Monday, December 1, 2025.

In addition to being a current resident of the District, Section 322 of the Public School Code of 1949 as amended limits eligibility to: “Any citizen of this Commonwealth, having a good moral character, being eighteen (18) years of age or upwards, and having been a resident of the district for at least one (1) year, prior to the date of his election or appointment.” There are further limitations relating to those who hold other government offices or positions in the School District.

Eligible individuals interested in this vacant office should submit a letter of interest, which must be received (mailed or hand carried) by 4:00 p.m., on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, addressed to the Columbia Borough School District Board of School Directors, C/O Board Secretary, 200 N. 5th Street Columbia, PA 17512. The letter of interest must include the applicant’s address, contact information, and a statement of the reason(s) why the applicant desires to serve as a school director.

Eligible candidate(s) will be interviewed in a public meeting to be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the District Administration Center at 200 N. 5th Street Columbia, PA 17512.