Columbia Spy

[This post is excerpted from a longer LNP/LancasterOnline article.]

LANCASTERONLINE | Staff

Ten of Lancaster County’s 18 boroughs feature competitive council races this fall, and none is more contentious than the race in Columbia Borough, where the McGinness property on Manor Street looms large.

Candidates on both sides of the aisle consider the $1.5 million property purchase in 2021 a mistake that has contributed to a financial downturn. Borough officials have spent the last four years attempting to redevelop the former airport into an industrial park, taking out a $5 million loan to see the project through. Concerns about the condition of the property have delayed development, and thousands of dollars in anticipated property tax revenue have gone uncollected.

Democrats and Republicans alike say the final straw that pushed them into the council race was a 25% property tax hike this year. Now, Democrats Ethan Byers, Jeanne Cooper and Kyle Ricker are vying for one of three open four-year seats against Republicans Jesse Rabinowitz, Timothy Swartz and Thomas Ziegler.

Zane Sanders conveyed 520 N. Third St. to Mae Sanders for $295,000.

Walter E. Bitzel conveyed 753 Locust St. to Alexandria Catania for $245,000.

 This week’s photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images. 

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

Columbia likes the Halloween season . . .

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Big chess pieces in the front yard

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This junk car and trailer have been sitting in CVS’s side parking lot for about a year . . .

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Rainy day

Sunset

Morning clouds 

The borough hall clock tower at night

That speck is the sun trying to poke through the clouds.

Roll!

It’s a clean machine. 

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Reseeding at McGinness 

Are they actually going to mow the worksite?

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A few more photos of Monday’s vehicle accident on the 500 block of North 2nd Street…

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This cat’s tipped left ear indicates it’s been “fixed,” likely through CCAT’S TNVR program.

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https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/cases/crash-investigation-500-block-north-third-street

Columbia High School, 901 Ironville Pike, Columbia, Oct. 7. Pass. No violations.

The meeting packet is HERE.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Columbia Borough Council meeting scheduled for 10/14/25 at 7:00 p.m. has been canceled. 

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/columbia-borough-council-meeting-canceled?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR51g215NIk1JQiFHVPpn7dCa_PKLyxwWB3eNQ8l4t8HCAcHmtr7cvfjfTtVoQ_aem_2DPB8NFIWThoqOFSBo22wg

Dwayne C. Peterson Sr. conveyed 731 Locust St. to Woerner Alexander S, McDevitt Brenna L. for $230,000.

Lancaster County Land Bank Authority conveyed 318 Poplar St. to Detobar Eunice Moran, Moran Ana B. Tobar for $230,000.

Brian K. Fake conveyed 337 Cherry St. to Lily Brubaker for $30,000.

The estate of Jean L. Carlson conveyed 210 S. Second St. to Kenneth A. Baker for $1.

Powders Douglas E, Powders Kelly L. conveyed 322 Poplar St. to Kelly L. Powders for $1.

Proverb Realty LLC conveyed 695 Cherry St. to 248 S. Quince St. LLC for $136,000.

Proverb Realty LLC conveyed 724 Walnut St. to Mowery Joshua M, Blank Nikayla G. for $315,000.

Lucy S. Schulz conveyed 904 Locust St. to Davis Julie D, Davis Gregory A. for $240,000.

Cannan Samuel G, Dermer Cannan Pauline, Cannan Pauline Dermer conveyed 230 Locust St. to Cimarron Investments LLC for $155,000.

Steven D. Good conveyed 141 N. Seventh St. to Evan J. Mongeau for $160,000.

Martinez Santos Madeline, Santos Madeline Martinez conveyed 343 Poplar St. to Miller Ryan Joseph, Brommer Sarah A. for $232,323.

The estate of William F. Styer Sr. conveyed 632 Chestnut St. to AJ Home Solutions LLC for $135,000.

The meeting packet is HERE.