today’s news … Tuesday, January 7, 2014

today’s news and information gleanings from here and there!

Quote for today“I’d like to thank Mary for all the time she put in for the borough; Mary went to lots of meetings she didn’t have to go to find out what’s happening.” – Frank Doutrich, citizen, in comments about departing councillor, Mary Wickenheiser, at last night’s borough council reorganization meeting.

reorganization meeting0001  reorganization meeting0002

  • The agenda for last night’s Columbia Borough council reorganization meeting is shown above; click on each to enlarge. [NOTE: Item D. 4. was stricken from the agenda because the borough manager position is not appointed; the borough manager is an employee. Item D. 5. was stricken in error by this writer.] As the Borough Manager, Samuel Sulkosky was also appointed the Borough Secretary/Treasurer for 2014.

councilColumbia Borough Council readies for last night’s meeting (left to right) are: Barry Ford, Jim Smith, Mary Barninger, Michael Beury, Sr., Stephanie Weisser, Jody Gable and Kelly Murphy.

swearing ceremoniesThe above photos were taken at last night’s reorganizational meeting; shown clockwise from top left; Magisterial District Judge Robert A. Herman, Jr. administers the oath of office to elected councillors Jim Smith, Stephanie Weisser, Jody Gable and Michael Beury, Sr.; Leo S. Lutz, accepts the oath of office from District Judge Herman while Kathleen, his wife, assists; Mayor Lutz administers the oath of office of tax collector to newly elected Mary Wickenheiser; Borough Solicitor, solicitor Bob Pfannebecker (Pfannebecker’s law firm, Zimmerman, Pfannebecker, Nuffort & Albert, LLP) begins the 51st year of representing the Borough of Columbia and council president Beury presents citation to outgoing councillor Mary Wickenheiser for her continued service to the borough. Wickenheiser served on the council for the past 13 years in numerous capacities including council president.

  • OATH OF OFFICE: Act 76-2008 mandated the following oath for all officials: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.”
  • Each of Columbia’s neighboring school districts has a two-hour delay posted at their respective Website home pages. Columbia Borough School District’s does not. Why is there such disregard and disrespect for its shareholders?
  • Middletown Borough’s Emergency Management Agency ordered the (fire) station prepare to assist residents suffering from broken water pipes or any other incident that causes a loss of heat to their home during the cold front. Residents needing shelter are asked to contact Tom Foreman, the borough’s emergency management coordinator, at 717-810-7569 to make arrangements for shelter.” – Harrisburg Patriot-News
  • Dangerous cold: The “polar vortex” is extremely dangerous. It’s time to be thankful if your power stayed on; your heating system kept working; your public safety providers showed up if you need them; if your car started this morning; if your water pipes didn’t freeze; if you have a warm place to stay and sleep … knock on wood.
  • Good news is we’re looking at 47 degrees on Saturday!

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