Today’s news and information gleanings from here and there.
Today’s quote … “You reported that ‘LNP’s request to listen in on the call was denied.’ Why was LNP’s request to listen in on the call denied?” – from a letter to the editor in today’s LNP – Always Lancaster. The letter writer asked why the newspaper was denied access to US Representative Lloyd Smucker’s telephone town hall. [NOTE: A hastily convened telephone town hall might be a cowardly cop-out keeping alive the tenor of the predecessor.]
- The cost of policing is a Lancaster Insider report and page one news in today’s LNP – Always Lancaster. Here’s a graphic from the LNP – Always Lancaster piece. Columbia’s borough manager is quoted in the article.
- In the military, R & R time following combat missions is a joy, a chance to get away from the frenetic, chaotic pace of combat and “ratchet back” to a form of normalcy. This might be what it’s like to be a US congressman as they get back to the “R&R zone” that is “inside the wire” DC. Mostly, they look at their constituents as “the enemy.”
- “Is Pa. pipeline fight on Amish farm the next Standing Rock? ‘We’re prepared to be here for months'” – Penn Live
- They’ll take input from insurers, but not citizens – Bloomberg.com
- A tribute for Mr. B – The Reading Eagle
- Lancaster County nursing home inspections – Lancaster Online
- Let’s clean up … that’s the theme from several facebook strings about trash and dog poop around town – “You know you’re from Columbia PA if…”
- Actually that’s a slap in the face of the little children – letter to the editor; LNP – Always Online
Royalty at Mardi Gras | “The people in China are told these beads are valuable and given to important Americans, that beads are given to royalty.” – The Conversation
Columbia news, views & reviews 
I watched in disbelief as sizeable pit bull defecated while being walked by a man on North Sixth Street near Poplar. He made NO attempt to pick it up. He strolled along as if nothing happened. Attitude shows through, let someone else clean it up. IT’S YOUR DOG, CLEAN IT UP!!!!! The borough could be bringing in significant cash if they put as much effort into fining these jerks as they do in patrolling parking meters. Dog waste on sidewalks in town is a big problem as is human mucus. Dodge the poop and spit while walking. In Singapore these offenders would be caned. Clean sidewalks would go a long way in this main street theme they got going here in Columbia.
Real community development – and economic development – begins with the adoption of workable codes and the equitable and unbending application of them. Tree grates won’t take away the dog poop and trash (including trashy banners and blinking signs)..