An interesting possibility surfaced during discussions at the Monday night planning meeting. At the center of the discussion was a sentiment that Columbia should have more owner-occupied structures rather than renter-occupied ones. While Lancaster County is a super-hot real estate market according to this Lancaster Online article, ” in 2014, homeownership dropped to a lower rate than it was in 1994, with a rate of 64%.” – Wikipedia

This Lancaster Online article, “High Real Estate Group buys 4 apartment complexes, hotel for $60M” shows one organization’s belief that renting will be a good investment. Remember, too, that home ownership has been an ideal that receives government suppport. “Homeownership has been promoted as government policy using several means involving mortgage debt and the government sponsored entities Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, which fund or guarantee $6.5 trillion of assets with the purpose of directly or indirectly promoting homeownership. Homeownership has been further promoted through tax policy which allows a tax deduction for mortgage interest payments on a primary residence. The Community Reinvestment Act also encourages homeownership for low-income earners. The promotion of homeownership by the government through encouraging mortgage borrowing and lending has given rise to debates regarding government policies and the subprime mortgage crisis.” – Wikipedia

In a separate discussion following the meeting, the topic of codes enforcement was thrown into the mix. Is it the rental units that are problematic in Columbia or is it the failure to enforce codes? Certainly rental unit owners as the High Corporation will have exacting standards that will exceed the municipal codes standards.

In situations in which the rental unit owners do not enforce standards, it’s up to the municipality to do its job of code enforcement. Hold the rental unit owners accountable now.

Columbia’s owner-occupied percentage is 58.4% compared with Elizabethtown’s 55.4%. Columbia’s income numbers are significantly lower than the other larger boroughs in the county. Here are the demographic comparisons among Columbia, Ephrata, Elizabethtown and Lititz.

Just cannot wait for this guy to completely disappear somewhere, back to the hills of Kentucky, somewhere. Never want to see him and his “goofy-assed” ideas ever again. He is a total shill for any corporation that funnels cash his way. Less than 5% of the funds he receives to stay at the trough come from individuals – he is a corporate shill.

Finally, the elected public servants in Harrisburg have done something meaningful. “New Pa. law changes requirements on tethering your dog.” – Penn Live

PUBLIC NOTICE – Columbia Borough has created a Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP) to meet the requirements of its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) permit with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). – Read more at Lancaster Online.

“American Oxygen Sucked Out By Far-Right Agenda’ – Veterans Today

The Promise – The Guardian

Nah! The speed limit on Route 222 is not 100 mph. Today’s POLICE LOG in LNP – Always Lancaster lists  a man living in Columbia being “charged with DUI, fleeing/eluding police, reckless driving and traffic violations after he fled when troopers tried to stop him for going 104 mph in a 65 mph zone … ”

This is the plan? This is how the state will raise revenue? “Pa. state budget update: House Republicans offer new no-taxes plan to raise revenue” – Penn Live

[Get a new plan, Stan!]

Um-m-m-m, can you just taste ’em? Dark sweet cherries …. The Produce Geek says, “Nothing like a delicious bowl of sweet cherries to slow down with, to enjoy – indulge! Cherry season 2017 is here and if love this special fruit treat – July is your time! Get them while they’re at their peak. By mid-August they’ll be all but gone until next summer.”

“Is America ready for a nation of micro-houses? | “How Tiny Homes Could Spur Affordable Housing, Ease Gentrification, Reduce Consumerism and Help the Environment.” – This tiny house photo above is from Liberation Tiny Houses, 101 Ashmore Dr, Leola, PA 17540.

Here’s what’s really got the “Kintuckian’s” goat. As “elected public servant” (not ours, thankfully) Mitch McConnell gets geared up for revenge politics, he’s all fired up because his buddies – the ones who want his kind of draconian healthcare, the big insurers, aren’t getting enough profits. Read this piece: “America’s Real Health Care Debate: How to Stop Insurers from Robbing Us Blind.”

A single payer platform would eliminate them and their profits!

“Rand Paul Exposes GOP Health Care Bill as “Giant Bailout Superfund for Insurance Companies”

But what if they don’t want to follow the stantards? “The Minneapolis, MN shooting. Over the weekend, a woman called 911 to report a possible sexual assault happening near her Minneapolis home. Two officers responded, and one of them ended up shooting her. It’s unclear how this ended up happening. Minneapolis officers started wearing body cameras last summer to capture evidence in moments like this, but these officers didn’t have their cameras turned on. The victim’s family is demanding answers and authorities have launched an investigation.” – The Daily Skimm

A post at this local facebook page (You know you’re from ColumbiaPA) makes a statement about a personal choice. At the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) there’s a “Painting Old Buildings” guide: HARB Painting Old Buildings. While the 400 block of Locust Street is part of the historic district, HARB’s Painting Old Buildings guide states: “Paint provides protection for the wood elements on your house. The colors you choose are a form of personal expression. Colors can reflect popular styles within neighborhoods, or the individual tastes of the building’s current owner. Your color choice might also be based on historical colors that are appropriate to the age and style of the building.”

Susquehanna Valley EMS receives 2017 American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus award. –  Lancaster Online

Life was better then! In company towns and in despotic, dictator ruled nations. But that was before the outsiders stepped in with those dad-gummed “liberal” ideas. “Under siege by liberals: the town where everyone owns a gun.” – The Guardian

’cause that’s the way it is with immigrants! Go back to where you came from. – “Iraq veteran facing deportation speaks out from jail: ‘I would feel utterly alone’” – The Guardian

A letter-to-the editor in today’s LNP – Always Lancaster denounces the Organizing For Action progressive action initiative by saying “The sole purpose is to destroy President Donald Trump and our constitutional republic.” Curious, the FAQs at the Website seem to deny those insinuations. Investigate everything and believe what you want.

“A fatal crash involving two motorcycles and a vehicle shut down the Route 30 bridge between Columbia and Wrightsville in both directions late Wednesday.” – Lancaster Online The “big guy’s back” at the Library today.

Oh, yeah! 

Is Lead Lurking in Your Home? | a program for Lancaster City and County residents

“Don’t count the Rockvale Outlets out just yet, realty expert says” – Penn Live