According to Bing.com, a conspiracy theory is a “belief that event is plot: a belief that a particular event is the result of a secret plot rather than the actions of an individual person or chance.”
Last week’s water company’s security and public communications gaffes spawned a few and we were made aware of a few other conspiracies. Columbia news, views & reviews wants to share the theories for reader review and discussion.
Conspiracy theory #1
There’s a vacant property for sale in Columbia. It’s being offered for apartment development.
“141 S 11TH STREET COLUMBIA , PA 17512 Wonderful undeveloped tract of ground in a desireable [sic] Columbia neighborhood. Create your own mini estate or explore subdivision possibilities. Public utilities available too! Close to schools. Also includes 75 S 12th St, Tax Id 110-6840500000.”
The listing we saw says the property(ies) are zoned LDR. According to the Borough’s Code,§ 220-20. Designation of districts and purposes, “LDR Low Density Residential District: To primarily provide for development of single-family detached houses at approximately four homes per acre. To carefully control conversions of existing homes into additional numbers of units to promote neighborhood stability. To protect neighborhoods against incompatible nonresidential development.”
By that narrative, it would appear that apartments or multi-unit dwellings would not fit. Yet there are multi-unit apartment units just across Ridge Avenue to the Southeast. And zoning and codes can be challenged and changed.
Your thoughts?
Conspiracy theory #2.
This theory goes like this. A security guard wants to be a school superintendent. While his qualifications appear suspect, one of his supporters keeps pushing his envelope to the selection team. The conspiracy theory is that the two have hatched a plan that has the wanna’ be superintendent, if selected, remove the school’s current maintenance and grounds supervisor and then install his supporter.
Sir Walter Scott nailed it when he wrote, “‘Oh, What A Tangled Web We Weave, When First We Practice To Deceive!’
Your thoughts?
Conspiracy theory #3.
Nobody’s sure why the Lazarus Foundation is turning over space in the building deeded to it from the hospital … to a veterans’ club. And more than a few are scratching their heads about the veterans’ club wanting open their club to sell lottery tickets to the public. Legal advertising that’s been published states the club wants “to operate a membership club and to offer sales of lottery products of the Pennsylvania Lottery to the general public at 250 North Seventh Street.”
One theory is the members won’t want to have to go all the way to Stover’s to buy their tickets. According to the Lottery Commission’s Website, this will be only the second veterans’ club that will be selling lottery tickets in the County; the American Legion Post in Elizabethtown sells lottery tickets.
Reportedly, the Columbia Planning Commission approved the veterans’ club’s proposal at last night’s meeting. Wonder whether other veterans’ clubs will pick up on this convenience for their members and revenue stream?
How will a veterans’ club, a lottery sales point for citizens and a rehabilitation and therapy center co-exist? Your thoughts?
Columbia news, views & reviews 
114 South eleventh street Columbia PA. This is the same property the Boro of Columbia hauled fill from the building of the Turkey Hill Experience, at tax payers expense. The fill was used to fill in a large void on the property. Queston did the property owner pay for the fill and grading done after it was deposited their. The Boro not only hauled the fill, it dug it up at Turkey Hill, all I assume at tax payers expense. Please correct me if I am wrong.