Author: SPY

Columbia Borough's law firm responds to citizens' lawsuit on revolving loan fund, tax hike

Columbia Borough’s law firm has responded to Columbia taxpayers’ lawsuit regarding the borough’s revolving loan fund and recently enacted tax hike that supports the fund. More information, as well as documents pertinent to the case, are available at Columbia News, Views & Reviews HERE.

Columbia is 2nd from last in poorest zip codes in Lancaster County

Lancaster Online has posted an article HERE naming the wealthiest and poorest zip codes in Lancaster County, based on aggregate IRS data from 2017, the most recent year available.

The wealthiest is the Lititz region, with the data shown below:

17543, Lititz region
Average adjusted gross income: $81,872
Average wage/salary: $67,384
Returns filed: 22,120

The five poorest are shown below. Note that Columbia is second from last, almost the poorest in the county – just barely above Smoketown:

17560, New Providence
Average adjusted gross income: $49,351
Average wage/salary: $42,638
Returns filed: 2,440

17562, Paradise
Average adjusted gross income: $49,058
Average wage/salary: $37,274
Returns filed: 1,980

17581, Terre Hill
Average adjusted gross income: $48,873
Average wage/salary: $44,320
Returns filed: 560

17512, Columbia
Average adjusted gross income: $46,649
Average wage/salary: $41,791
Returns filed: 8,770

17576, Smoketown
Average adjusted gross income: $44,707
Average wage/salary: $36,318
Returns filed: 140

About Town 4/14/19

This week’s photos from around Columbia…
(Click/tap on photos for larger, clearer images.)

Enjoying the River Park on a nice day. No telling if they’ll go uptown to Hinkle’s, because there’s no way you can tell, unless you follow them or take a survey. Guesswork, supposition, and wishful thinking don’t provide accurate answers. 

Some folks recycle clothing in bins such as this one, a few of which are located around town. Speaking of recycling, the online publication Recycling Today published an article in February about the manufacturer California Metal-X taking over the Colonial Metals plant. The article states: “… the company is not seeking financial assistance from local government entities.” Some businesses are successful enough to make it on their own and don’t need to rely on taxpayer money.

Cimarron Investments, LLC, which owns this property at 430 Walnut Street, recently entered into an open end mortgage and security agreement with Centric Bank, the details of which are posted HERE. Columbia News, Views & Reviews has posted this and similar business transactions HERE.
 Also, the Columbia Water Company has been busy in the 400 block of Avenue H over the last week or two, running water lines to the building shown above.

 Meanwhile, right next to Avenue H, there’s also been recent activity at the 4th Street firehouse, as shown here and below.

But, as with this utility pole, it’s all a numbers game.
In other news, here are a few photos of the 2019 Columbia Crimson Tide Baseball Team.

 Also on school district grounds: A sidewalk at the District Administration Center was dug up and redone this week, which is progress of a sort.

At the Columbia United Methodist Church…
The King James version states: “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
 “Free Queen Size”: At least it’s better than leaving it in an alley.

 This is sometimes the first thing people see when coming into town off the highway.

 The 800 block of Walnut is blocked off, so just turn right onto 8th.

 Nope, that won’t work.

 With the ubiquitous roadwork happening, this is a common sight around town these days.

 Mormon Elders on 9th Street, invoking the ghost of Joseph Smith.

They thought they had a captive audience. (But guys, I just don’t think she’s that into you.)
 Face of an angel at Holy Trinity Cemetery

 And here’s a father and son.

 This seems to be a balancing act. (There’s a lot of symbolism there.)

 As the sign says. there’s space available at the Columbia Plaza since Musser’s Market left. Could the recent tax hike have been the final straw?

 They’re doing it again – dumping at the end of Wright Street and beyond, as shown here and below.

Here’s one of many faded signs around town.
 Here’s another one that looks like it might be a promotion for breast cancer awareness

 Artist at work – minus the artist

 Different people want different things.

 Under surveillance

A new health center on Chestnut Street

 Here’s a longer view.

 This is one of the new lights that were recently installed at Locust Street Park.

 These signs have probably seen better days.

 This alley, which runs from Florence Street to 9th is not named on Google Maps, so it might be one of Columbia’s famous “private alleys.” And yet it seems to be a public throughway.

 Nevertheless, it’s not been well-maintained, probably due to the fact that it’s on the southeastern side of town – the forgotten zone, as far as local government is concerned.

 There are even what appear to be railroad ties or the like embedded in the blacktop.

Here’s a close-up.
Yesterday, the nice weather brought folks out, including this guy riding in style on a three-wheeler.
Even the flowers were out.

Fire heavily damages home in Columbia, Lancaster County | WPMT FOX43

The Lancaster County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze, which Columbia Fire Chief Doug Kemmerly said began in the front TV room of the home. No one was in the house at the time of the fire, Kemmerly said.
MORE:

https://fox43.com/2019/04/11/fire-heavily-damages-home-in-columbia-lancaster-county/