Columbia Spy

The Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (LHOP) has announced a change in leadership. Ray D’Agostino has stepped down as CEO after being elected as a Lancaster County Commissioner on November 5. Shelby Nauman has been appointed by the Board of Directors as Interim CEO.

Nauman has served as the regional non-profit’s COO since November of 2018. “We are fortunate to have an exceptionally talented and capable senior management team,” stated LHOP board president Rick Jackson. “Shelby has been an invaluable asset to LHOP and is ideal to lead us during this time of transition,” Jackson continued.

D’Agostino and Nauman

The organization adopted a new strategic plan at the end of October. According to Jackson, the new plan builds on the success and growth LHOP has experienced over the past decade. “The board wants to ensure that it finds a new chief executive with the skills sets, experience and expertise that will lead us to achieve the new vision,” Jackson stated. Jackson also added, “Shelby’s strengths as a leader afford LHOP and the board the time to be deliberative in setting the course for the CEO position.”

As COO at LHOP, Nauman was responsible for business operations and team building. Prior to joining LHOP as COO, she served as vice president at the Lancaster City Alliance. Nauman was with the Alliance for 14 years. “I was drawn to LHOP to help advance housing affordability in the region and having the opportunity to lead a talented and passionate team along with LHOP’s unique structure as a Community Development Finance Institution is an honor and a privilege,” said Nauman.

D’Agostino had been LHOP’s chief executive for ten years. During his tenure the organization has grown, going regional, increasing programs and services and tripling staffing and assets. “I am extremely proud of the work that we have accomplished in the community at LHOP and look forward to building on the experience in my new role,” D’Agostino stated.

“We are extremely proud of Ray with his election as a County Commissioner and know he will continue to serve the community well in this new position,” Jackson continued. D’Agostino will take office on Monday, January 6 and join Commissioners Josh Parsons and Craig Lehman who were re-elected.

The Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (LHOP) is a community benefit, charitable non-profit organization and certified CDFI in Lancaster County with a history of making a positive impact by assisting people access and create fair and affordable housing. With the understanding that “good housing is the foundation of a great community,” LHOP provides targeted education and training programs, financial products, and technical assistance in fair and affordable home ownership and rental housing opportunities.

[Source: Press release]

The Columbia Historic Preservation Society will join hands with the Annual Ed King Memorial Model Train Open House for families to enjoy for free over the Christmas holiday.

On Saturday, December 7, the Columbia Parent Teacher Partnership Raffle and Vendor Event will be held at Park Elementary Gym from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (See information posted above.)

This week’s photos of Columbia

It’s not really that safe, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

Professional service at its best.

Here’s the tree with the newly hung lights.

And here’s the new star on top.

 Down at the post office: This appears to be a steel magnolia next to the steps.

But someone else must not like the post office.

 No caption necessary

 Down at Rose’s Deli

 A 2019 Reader’s Choice winner

 Here’s a young couple – and a pet turkey looking decidedly nervous.
(5th & Cherry)

 And here’s some kid with a pumpkin, and another turkey pretending to be a planter.

 This guy has a couple of chickens or something.

 Watch your step!

 Santa’s here already. Remember to be naughty and nice.

 That barbed wire behind the gate really drives home the point.

 When you finish your McDonald’s, just throw it down the steps.

 The Christmas spirit is beginning to permeate the town already.

 Sunday morning: surprise fall snowfall

They buy houses.

 Says so here.

 And here.

 Looks like those old skids are good for something.

 Rodents fear and respect the cat.

 Work continues at 4th & Locust.

 But there’s always time for chit-chat.

 A visitor at Stover’s

 The Lloyd Mifflin House on Walnut Street

 Something’s missing at the Elks.

 Santa – He has you under surveillance 24/7, 365 days a year.

 Back at skid row – a roof has been added.

 There’s the big lift rolling into town Thursday morning.

 It’s assuming the position.

 And there it is – sky high.

 It was used to lift loads onto the roof at the 4th & Locust construction project.

 Various backyard amusements – and a horse banner possibly from the Kingdom of Rohan

 Here’s the Creative Factory on the 300 block of Locust

 It’s housed on the first floor of this building.

The artists’ group is trying to buy the building.

 Divided sky

 How’d they get that bell tower in between those buildings?
Never mind, it’s just an optical “delusion.”

 Flying high

 Here’s another sidewalk marker, many of which line Route 462.

 They feature a profile of Abe Lincoln, because the road is known as the Lincoln Highway.
Clever, no?

 A celestial star. That can only mean Christmas is right around the corner.

 These crows were squawking up a storm. The reason? That red-tailed hawk in the lower right.

 He seemed unperturbed and stayed in place until the crows left.

 Blocking up a bay door, or just narrowing it?
(Eastern Drillers)

 A tour group with a tour guide, touring the town on Saturday

 Coffee & Cream

 More stars and “strips”

 Fancy fence

 Naked light

 Another sign of pending Xmas

 Aftermath of Sunday morning’s surprise snow

A sign of the times

Looks like that idea is all wet.