Author: SPY

DA spokesman says forfeiture-funded lease is A-OK

The following information is posted at the Facebook page for the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office HERE.

We aim to provide all the details – and full context – regarding the authorized forfeiture-funded lease of a Toyota SUV, so here are a few things of critical import:

1. The document below is an approval form, from the county controller.

2. This situation is NOT unique; other Pa. DAs do this or drive seized vehicles. Some use taxpayer funds instead. Forfeiture funds are NOT taxpayer dollars.

3. All use of forfeiture funds are audited annually by the controller and Attorney General; we have been in full compliance every year for every expense.

4. This is a work vehicle and all expenses (to include mileage and fuel reimbursements) were appropriate, per the controller. The taxpayer/county is owed nothing regarding this vehicle.

DA spent $21,000, intended for drug enforcement, to lease SUV, records show | Local News | lancasteronline.com

“Lancaster County’s top prosecutor hopped into a 2016 Toyota Highlander leased with money that had been designated by state law for use fighting drug crimes…”
MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/da-spent-intended-for-drug-enforcement-to-lease-suv-records/article_34d90d86-3f5c-11e9-a42c-035d89dc0997.html

Black Olive's award from CBFD for Outstanding Local Business

Mike Sivri, owner of Black Olive Family Diner, shows the Outstanding Local Business Award he received from the Columbia Borough Fire Department, which held a recognition banquet on February 16.  Columbia Spy posted an article on the banquet HERE, which stated the following:

Fatih “Mike” Sivri, owner of Black Olive Diner, received the Outstanding Local Business Award. Black Olive, at 15th Street and Lancaster Avenue, opened in August 2016, and Mike has helped the fire department by offering food on extended incidents, monetary donations, and individual member discounts on meals. In December 2017, Mike gave a donation to the fire company, which Columbia Spy reported on HERE.

Citizens meet to discuss community concerns

Columbia citizens met at the National Watch & Clock Museum on Sunday to discuss community concerns.
Columbia Concerned Citizens Association meeting was held yesterday March 3, 2019. Where dozens of local residents packed Columbia’s historic Watch and Clock Museum yesterday to talk about some things that are important to them in their community.
Front and center was a recent ordinance enacted by Borough Council to approve “a commercial revolving loan program” where borough money is loaned to private business owners.
This contentious policy, in conjunction with a $2.4 million shortfall in the borough budget, has residents worried.
MORE HERE:

http://farmfresh.media/breaking-news-columbia-pa/