Government is and has to be open to its citizens. But, citizens must participate to make government work the way it is supposed to in a representative democracy. The elected public servants you vote into office have their hands full.
They read … a lot.
They observe … a lot.
They listen … a lot.
They take verbal beatings … a lot.
And they attend a bunch of meetings … a lot.
To be as responsive and responsible as they can be, they really need to know that you are asking them to be accountable to today’s citizens, visitors and guests and tomorrow’s. Serving in an elected or appointed position is not as simple as many think; these dedicated folks want input and support from the citizens.
For example, there were no citizens in attendance at the Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday evening. Yet, the folks who were there – the elected public servants and the borough staffers – in our judgement, conducted a professional, sincere “best efforts” meeting about very difficult subjects: revenue and expense projections for 2012.
Finance Committee – The Committee on Finance shall, in conjunction with the Borough Manager, oversee all matters pertaining to the financial interests of the Borough; shall recommend to Council the rate of taxation; shall examine the duplicate of the Collector of Borough taxes and cause all taxes collected to be deposited with the Treasurer of the Borough; shall suggest from time to time such matters for the action of Council as may be of importance to the financial interest of the Borough; shall provide for the payment of all debts due by the Borough and shall, unless such collection is specifically made the duty of another committee, collect all rents and debts due to the Borough; shall prepare for publication all statements of municipal receipts and expenditures, assets and liabilities, as may be required by law; shall, in a specially ruled book to be delivered by each to its successor, maintain such a comprehensive system of municipal finances as to be able to compare committee and departmental expenses and ascertain the financial condition of the Borough at any time; shall audit the Treasurer’s accounts at least once every month and shall include in every monthly report a detailed statement thereof up to and including the date of such report; shall attend to all duties which may be properly referred to such Committee by Council and shall comply with and enforce the requirements of all laws and ordinances which relate to municipal finances. The committee meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. Committee Members: Kelly Murphy – Chair; Mary Wickenheiser – Vice-Chair; Mary Barninger – Member and Mike Beury – Alternate.
Committee Chair Murphy called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm; committee members, Wickenheiser and Barninger were in attendance. Councilor Beury and the mayor, Leo Lutz, attended the meeting. Borough manager Norm Meiskey and treasurer, Georgianna Schreck were present, too. Any citizen who might have attended would have been treated to a sincere, business-like exchange of questions, suggestions and ideas about how to balance the delicate issue of providing services for the citizens of Columbia while contending with increasing costs and flat, or even declining, revenue streams.
There was no grandstanding. There was no puffery or pride. Instead, these folks grappled with real issues for nearly two hours – despite the loud claps of thunder and another onslaught of driving rains outside the borough hall. One thing was loud and clear: the folks who attended, and participated, in the boring discussion of line items, regulations and justifications maintained a single purpose. They were determined to do what they could to hold the line on property taxes.
Obviously, budget decisions will not be finalized for several more months as these representatives continue to struggle with the ugly reality of these difficult economic times. Federal and state funding streams have been curtailed; demands for services continue, but consumers are discovering that they may have to sacrifice even more. Government is like a business of a household. When income diminished, each of them needs more of the citizens, associates and family members to pitch in more … and to scale back demands. It isn’t pretty – but it is what it is!
To keep you informed about the workings of government, here are several recent committee and board meeting agendas and minutes.
Zoning Board –
Legislation Committee – The Committee on Municipal Legislation shall, in conjunction with the Solicitor and the Borough Manager, examine all proposed ordinances that may be submitted to it in advance of consideration by the Council and may recommend such changes and amendments affecting the form, validity and substance thereof as may be proper or necessary; shall supervise the proper recording, publishing and posting of ordinances; shall attend to all duties which may properly be referred to such Committee by Council and shall comply with all rules and procure the enforcement of all laws and ordinances affecting municipal form and procedure. Legislation meets the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm. Committee Members: Sandy Duncan – Chair; Mike Beury – Vice-Chair; James Smith- Member; Mary Barninger – Alternate.
Property Committee – The Committee on Public Property shall, in conjunction with the Borough Manager, care for and supervise all public buildings and real estate and, subject to the rights of lessees and duties of the Committees on Public Safety and Markets, shall manage and control the same; shall keep a record of all insurance in force on public buildings and shall report to Council in advance all policies about to expire; shall permit no person, corporation or association to become or remain a tenant of Borough property unless a proper and adequate lease is executed; shall attend to all duties which may properly be referred to such Committee by Council and shall comply with and enforce the requirements of all laws and ordinances relating to public property. The committee meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm. Committee Members: James Smith – Chair; Mary Wickenheiser- Vice-Chair; Renae Sears- Member; Sandy Duncan – Alternate.
Board of Health – The Board of Health is a relatively unique group in Lancaster County. Unlike most municipalities which rely on the PA Department of Agriculture for Eating & Drinking Establishment inspections and on the PA Department of Health for sanitation issues, Columbia has chosen to perform these responsibilities to maintain rapid, coordinated, local control. Members: Elizabeth Smedley, Chairwoman; Leslie Fritz, Member; Dr. John Jensen, Member; Dr. Bret Daniels, Member; Donald Gallagher, Member; Laurie Gerfin, Alternate; Michelle Hank, Alternate.
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