Author: SPY

Biglers ask Columbia for waiver of bill

At Monday night’s Finance Committee meeting, Cindy Bigler of Millersville appealed a $600 invoice from a Columbia Borough engineer regarding a condemned property she owns with husband Sam Bigler at 421-423 Avenue G. The property was condemned in June 2015, and a fire caused major damage to the structure on September 4, 2015.  (Columbia Spy reported on the fire HERE.) Bigler adamantly insisted that the borough engineer made the “wrong diagnosis” and that she should not pay for it. She accused the borough of jumping to condemnation. Bigler claimed that the borough code officer did not enter the building prior to the decision to condemn and that the borough’s actions caused her, her husband, and tenants “a lot of problems.”

Bigler also accused the code department of being unprofessional and said that she and her husband were not notified that the building would be condemned. She told the committee that they have a business line with an answering machine. “No one called us,” she said. 
Code Enforcement Officer/Supervisor Jeff Helm said the decision was initially prompted by Code Officer Robert Osborne’s inspection, in order to protect the borough from liability. (Osborne has since been terminated from employment with the borough code department.)
Helm told the committee that he inspected the exterior of the building on June 15, 2015, accompanied by Osborne and engineer William Sauers, who was then employed by the borough. Helm said that he and the others walked around the building and found exterior bulging walls and concluded that the building should be condemned and vacated in a timely fashion.
Helm further explained that on June 26, 2015, Sauers and Sam Bigler entered the property and conducted a room-by-room and floor-by-floor inspection, looking especially for separations of interior/exterior walls. Sauers found unsupported areas on the second floor that required remediation, and his opinion was to vacate. Bigler opted for a third-party inspection by Sanchez & Associates of Millersville.
The borough subsequently suggested that the Biglers select an engineer with knowledge of older structures. The Biglers hired engineer Dan Fichtner, who determined that the building could remain occupied if the interior were re-supported. Fichtner did not believe it was structurally unsound.

Bigler requested that the committee waive the $600 bill for the borough engineer. Councillor Mary Barninger said that she agreed with Bigler’s request and made a motion to send the issue to council at its May 9 meeting. Council President Kelly Murphy seconded the motion. Councillor Sherry Welsh, who was substituting for Councillor Cleon Berntheizel, opposed it.
Notice of Condemnation at the Avenue G property, prior to the September 4, 2015 fire.

4th Friday features ribbon-cuttings, Arbor Day Celebration

April’s Fourth Friday celebration featured a variety of attractions and events, including the following:

Mayor Leo Lutz and Borough Council President Kelly Murphy helped out with a ribbon-cutting on Friday at Beauty in the Beast pet grooming service at 18 South Third Street.

Owner Britini Tollinger cut the ribbon, aided by co-owner Mike Whelan.

Inside the building is this painting, purportedly by artist Edward B. Black, who painted watercolors and oils of the Susquehanna River in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Clay from the Susquehanna River shore served as the basis for the paints used in this work which is painted directly on the wall. (Could it be a type of fresco painting?)

Black was a founder of the Harrisburg Art Association, and his works are in the collection of the State Museum of Pennsylvania and the Historical Society of Dauphin County.

An hour later and a few steps up the street, Doreen Fabulian – surrounded by family and friends – cut the ribbon for her shop, Aha Sweets, at 8 South Third Street. The shop bakes with organic and natural ingredients (not 100% organic, not gluten-free).  The shop also uses alternative flours (white organic spelt, oat flour, almond flour) in its variety of cakes, cookies, and cupcakes.

A little later, a caricature artist set up shop at the Columbia Market House.

On the grounds of the Columbia Borough School District admin building, members of Cub Scout Pack 35 recited the pledge as an introduction to the 25th Annual Arbor Day Celebration.

Rick Jensen, Columbia High School music director, led the Columbia High School Chorus in performances of various songs.

School Board President Tom Strickler served as master of ceremonies.

Amy Evans, chairwoman of the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission, offered welcoming remarks.

Mayor Lutz spoke about the value of trees in reducing pollution.

Council President Kelly Murphy expressed his thoughts about the importance of Arbor Day.

Amanda Hawn, a new member of the Shade Tree Commission, introduced herself.

Rick Hartlieb of the DCNR Bureau of Forestry spoke and presented a banner to the commission.

Columbia High School Senior Austin Combs read Joyce Kilmer’s poem “Trees.”

Rich Gerfin, Honorary Chairman of the 2016 Membership Drive, planted a tree.

Afterward, he was accompanied by a young audience member. Columbia Spy previously published a profile of Gerfin HERE.

A full array of proud award winners – including members of Frontier Girls Troop 191 and 202 – posed for the cameras after the event’s conclusion.

The mystery of the white van

A white Nissan van has overstayed its welcome on the 500 block of Locust Street, next to Locust Street Park. Sources tell Columbia Spy that the van has been in the same parking space for at least a month. Street sweeping tickets are routinely removed by – someone.

The van’s PA state inspection and emission inspection stickers expired at the end of November 2015.

Witnesses report that about two weeks ago, Columbia Borough Police marked the front driver’s side tire, shown above. It appears as though the vehicle has not been moved recently.
Columbia Borough has an ordinance regulating abandoned vehicles.  It’s time for this one to go.

New River Trail to be closed for two weeks beginning May 11

Note: The section of the trail to be paved is roughly that from the Route 30 Bridge, northward along Chiques Rock County Park. 

Sources tell Columbia Spy that a section of the new Northwest Lancaster County River Trail – from Columbia to Marietta – will be closed for about two weeks for asphalt paving beginning on May 11. Paving will be overseen in part by Lancaster County Parks and Recreation. At this point, it is undetermined whether or not the trail will be open on weekends during that time.

Paving was originally scheduled to begin in mid-August but was moved up in anticipation of National Trail Days Celebration on Saturday, June 4.

More information to follow as it becomes available.

Columbia has openings for wrestling, boys' basketball, girls' basketball coaching positions

According to the school’s website, Columbia has opened four head-coaching positions, including winter-season staples wrestling, boys’ basketball and girls’ basketball.
Under the job postings section, Columbia athletic director Jim Rhoads lists wrestling, boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball and bowling as open, and the district is currently accepting applications for head coaches in those sports.