Columbian Jack R. Brommer, Jr was appointed and officially sworn as the Borough’s Chief of Police at the November Borough Council meeting last evening. The council chambers were filled as Mary Wickenheiser, Council president, called the monthly meeting to order at 7:00 pm. More than 35 adults (including seven Columbia police officers and one newly elected councilor) and nearly 10 children were in attendance. The complete compliment of councilors, the borough’s solicitor, borough manager, assistant borough treasurer, a minutes recorder were present. The mayor is on vacation and did not attend.

Judge David R. Workman, a Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas administered the oath of office and swearing-in of newly-appointed Chief Brommer. Judge Workman was accorded “honorary Columbia resident status” in a special proclamation signed by the mayor; Council president presented the award.

The Council unanimously approved the appointment. Brommer had been serving as the interim chief of police. Councilor Mary Barninger stated, “Chief Brommer is a son; is a brother; is a husband; is a father; is a coach; is a student, a mentor, a friend, a trainer, a leader, an officer; a sergeant; a crime scene investigator; an FBI crisis negotiator, and, hopefully, after council’s approval tonight, will be Columbia’s new police chief.”

Judge Workman praised the professional demeanor, reputation and past actions of Brommer as a law enforcement officer.

Chief Brommer expressed his support to the Council; the police department and the citizens for their support.

Following Chief Brommer’s appointment, the Chief and over half of the adults, and all of the children, in the gallery left the meeting.

Council Meeting Agenda

In other agenda action items:

• Agenda item II 17 (a): Market House hours during Thanksgiving week were announced. Market will be open on Wednesday, November 23 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and there will be a “limited amount of vendors” at market during special hours on Friday, November 25 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
• Agenda items IV 21 (d) (e) (f) (g): The Council approved, in a 6-1 vote, the transfer of the “two gifted parcels of riverfront property” to the Columbia Economic Development Committee for the purpose of reselling the property to the Columbia Heritage Cottage Owners Association. A citizen, questioned whether the councilors had considered other options or considerations for the dispersion of the riverfront property. He asked the councilors to give their individual reasons for voting as they did. In turn, each of the councilors cited their reasons to transfer the property to the cottage owners group. The citizen responded that “since the gifted property” was borough property, he felt that the borough may have benefited more if the property had been put on the open market. He felt that the “given the economic condition of the town” the property could have realized a greater return for the borough.
•  Agenda item II 11 (g): Columbia QRS principal, Frank Splain, Jr. appealed for “more time” from the borough to catch up on outstanding fuel charges. At the May, 2011, meeting, “Frank Splain, Jr. read a document informing the council and audience that the Columbia Quick Response Service intends to enter into a partnership with the Eastern York County EMS. According to www.manta.com, Eastern York County Ems in Hallam, PA is a private company categorized under Ambulance Service. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of $1 to 2.5 million and employs a staff of approximately 10 to 19. He also stated that Columbia Quick Response Service has withdrawn its interest in the fire and emergency medical services consolidation initiative.” The IRS has revoked the organization’s non-profit status, but Splain contends that the organization is working on regaining 501 (c) (3) status. Councilor Kelly Murphy explained that the council has fiscal accountability to the citizens of Columbia and a responsibility to maintain integrity and consistency with the other agencies who enjoy the use of the “Borough issued fuel card” and pay on time. The overdue amount is in excess of $2,000. Splain stridently disagreed with the councilors’ stance; he stated, “I really can’t wait to run for council.” He launched into a loud attack against each of the councilors, but ” … not councilwoman Duncan … “, and said, “This will not go down unforgotten.” Councilor Duncan stated that she “was going to write a check to QRS for $300.”