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

Quote for today… “ … this is my last year on council.” – Michael Beury, Columbia Council president, following a citizen’s remarks early on at last night’s joint (Borough Council and Municipal Authority) meeting.

• Shades of Richard Nixon’s “You won’t have Nixon to kick around anymore, because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference.”

• There were questions, and some misunderstanding, about the role of the Municipal Authority at last night’s meeting. Here’s an article with some clarification about what the Municipal Authority does. Columbia’s “Municipal Authority was adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Columbia 11-13-1950 by Ord. No. 231.”

• Another view – MyColumbiaNews

• Last night’s meeting generated a number of “sides to the issues” of whether Columbia should selling of the sewer operations. Some thought the sewer operation is a liability; some see it as an asset? Some saw the sale as a definite “win-win” scenario or a “no-brainer”; others thought Columbia could look into other options to gain improved operational efficiencies while keeping the operations. Several prophesied of the failure to heed the benefits of regionalization of resources; some pointed to Columbia’s insular school system which has led to an upward spiral of increased costs and taxes. The mayor wondered why Columbia could not have membership on the Lancaster Area Sewer Authority board of director unless the borough paid $2 million bucks; LASA’s Mike Kyle countered that board membership has been a matter of “equity status” earned over time.

• Who’s going to pay for the cabins-by-the-river sewer hook-ups? According to one councillor, “The cabin owners.”

• LASA’s published rates – residential and commercial/industrial

• Columbia’s published rates –

• “Class A Biosolids is a designation for dewatered and heated sewage sludge that meets U.S. EPA guidelines for land application with no restrictions. Thus, class A biosolids can be legally used as fertilizer on farms, vegetable gardens, and can be sold to home gardeners as compost or fertilizer.” –sourcewatch.org

• Googling a number of area media outlets so far shows no “mass media” coverage of last night’s meeting. CORRECTION: This 40 second video is at Fox43.com –and the above post “Another view” at 1:57 pm.
  

• Redux of the medium’s decision to rely on facebook registration for “kinder, gentler comments” and “real identities.” How about “real person” Fahque Magoo’s comment here: “I’ve lived here all my life… The influx of urbanite transplants from surrounding CITIES has brought some very despicable and low-life scum into OUR town… “

• Columbia man is two time skeeball world champion – WGAL-TV8

• “There are simply more college graduates than jobs requiring college degrees.” – OP-ED Column, Harrisburg Patriot-News

• The York Daily Record Website has a survey question asking, “Would you support an open primary in which voters could cast ballots across party lines?” Over 72% said yes earlier today.

• Columbia’s Youth Bicycle Safety Event is Saturday, June 7. Click here or on the graphic below to download the announcement.

• No age discrimination and it’s a way to supplement the “fixed income” – Harrisburg Patriot-News

• Good job, Senator Smucker. Thanks for trying to stop the crap of “gifts for legislators”. – Harrisburg Patriot-News