This notice appears in the LEGAL NOTICES in today’s (November 15, 2012) “general circulation publication,” the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era:

“Strasburg Borough is accepting letters of interest for volunteers to serve on the Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board. For more information call 687-7732 by November 30, 2012.”

Recently, there was a vacancy on the Columbia Borough Planning Commission due to the resignation of long time member, Mary Virginia Abendschein.

At the October 8, 2012 Borough Council meeting, the Council President “read a Certificate of Appreciation” for Abendscheim’s (sic) “17 years of dedicated service on the Columbia Borough Planning Commission.”

How did the Borough reach out to communicate this information with Borough citizens?

How would any interested citizen know of the vacancy?

Was a notice posted at the Borough’s Website? We did not see a posted notice.

Was there a notice in the daily newspaper? We did not see a published notice.

But, earlier this week at the Borough Council meeting, the Council approved the appointment of a seated councilor to the Planning Commission.

Since one member of the Commission already is borough employee, Jeff Helm, might it appear that certain folks just want to have a hand in every aspect of the Borough’s management?

Might it be considered conflict of interest that a councilor has “advance notice” of planning commission information before other councilors?

Because “Members (of the planning commission) are appointed by the appointing authority (the council)”, might it be considered conflict of interest because of the developed relationship with other councilors?

Might it considered conflict of interest when a planning commission action is challenged and forwarded to borough council for consideration?

Isn’t it plausible there is a pernicious “circle of control” in Columbia?

When is enough control … enough?