Initially posted Thursday, November 8, 2012.

Last evening the Columbia Borough council held a special meeting; here is the agenda for the meeting which was convened at 6:36 pm. Approximately 20 persons were in attendance in addition to the seven borough councilors, the Borough’s solicitor; the borough manager, the borough financial officer and a recorder. The meeting was adjourned at 7:22 pm.

Council president Michael Beury opened the business portion of the meeting by stating there were “no action items on the agenda” despite Section II of the agenda (above).

A recalcitrant councilor Barry Ford stumbled through a motion to “ignore the previous motion made two weeks ago.” The motion the councilor alluded to was the one he introduced: to disband the  Columbia Historic Market House Trust at the October Borough Council Meeting. During that meeting, the council voted 5-2 to disband the Trust despite the cautions of councilor Mary Barninger and Borough Manager Norman B. Meiskey III.

Six of the members of the  Columbia Historic Market House Trust were in attendance. The Trust consists of these persons: Don Haines; Rebecca Murphy; Ed Schopf; Elaine Beckley, Jeanne Cooper; Ned Somerville and Justin Hill.

Several persons spoke during the citizens’ comments portion of the meeting; all of them provided testimony and opinions supporting the efforts of the Market House Trust. The commenters expressed their outrage, dismay, disappointment and disillusion with the council’s interference with the operation and management of the Columbia Market House. Beginning in 2012, the Borough of Columbia entered into a written agreement that transferred the operation and management of the Market House to the Columbia Historic Market House Trust, a 501 c3 not-for-profit entity.

Trust member Jeanne Cooper implored the council to cultivate and maintain a dignified, professional business relationship with an impassioned discourse.

During her comments, the council president “explained” council’s actions.

Cooper continued with her plea to have the council work with the Trust members to have a better Market House for Columbia; as she finished, many in the gallery applauded her comments.

Following the citizen comment period, the council voted on Ford’s motion to “ignore the action” that had disbanded the Columbia Historic Market House Trust.

The vote was passed 7-0 with a roll call; the councilors votes in favor of “ignoring the previous motion” were:

• Barninger, yes
• Murphy, yes
• Ford (following a nine-second theatric delay), “unfortunately, yes”
• Sears, yes
• Wickenheiser, yes
• Smith, yes
• Beury, yes

The meeting was adjourned.