It’s page one news today in LNP – Always Lancaster!

Cannabis comes to Columbia first.

A lot of news, especially social media posts, are incorrect about the NFL players and the National Anthem. Here’s what Snopes.com has to say:

WHAT’S TRUE

The NFL’s rulebook says nothing about player conduct during the pre-game playing of the U.S. national anthem.

WHAT’S FALSE

The NFL’s game operations manual may contain a regulation stating that players must be present on the sidelines during the national anthem, but not that they must stand.

“Lancaster County coroner urges relatives of 64 people set to be buried in 1 grave to claim their loved ones” – Lancaster Online

“A man rides his bicycle through a storm-damaged road in Toa Alta, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 24, 2017, following the passage of Hurricane Maria”

The devastation in Puerto Rico is nearly total; these images from The Atlantic are heart -wrenching.

“In the Wake of Hurricane Maria, Here’s How to Help People in Puerto Rico” – Global Citizen

The above is posted at a local facebook site. This citizen participation in addressing government is applauded.

“The involvement of citizens in the political process is an essential part of democracy. … This dialogue serves as an opportunity for those involved in strengthening citizen participation in local governments, as well as those interested in it, to discuss these questions and share their experiences and ideas.” – newtactics.org

There are still some spots remaining for the free CPR classes on Friday, September 29. Register today.

Here’s a Special Invitation to Homeschoolers from the National Watch and Clock Museum

“Five Fridays in one month only occurs a few times a year. HeritagePA has decided to use those days to encourage Pennsylvanians to take in the history and heritage of their region. During each 5th Friday through the end of 2018, there will be community events held throughout the different heritage areas.

Here’s ours: Susquehanna Heritage Area:
* Zimmerman Center for Heritage – The Zimmerman Center will extend its regular weekend programming to include HeritagePA’s 5th Friday.
* Columbia Crossing River Trails Center – Current Color: A Year on the River is a special exhibit presenting the work of local artist Diana Thomas. – News release

This news is at the Columbia borough Website:

“Recycling Lottery Winner for the week of 9/18/17 thru 9/22/17 – 343 Union Street.  Congratulations and Thank you for Recycling!”

The Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes for September are posted at the Borough Website. The minutes are quite comprehensive and here are a few of the items mentioned in the minutes of the meeting:

• The Columbia Borough School District’s dining facilities “were inspected with no major violations.” Jeff Helm “noted that the community can be assured of the high quality and food safe measures displayed at and in our school system.”
• There’ll be a “‘Landlord Meet & Greet’ during the second week of October. This event is focused on a gathering of Columbia Borough Landlords and the Columbia Codes Compliance Manager and Officers to bring together as many Landlord as possible for open discussions/comments and provide an opportunity to introduce members of the Columbia Borough Codes Compliance Department.”

“The Persistent, Wide Racial Gap in Attitudes Toward the Police” – Route Fifty

“The Media Has A Probability Problem | The media’s demand for certainty — and its lack of statistical rigor — is a bad match for our complex world.” – fivethirtyeight.com

Mayor blasts LNP – Always Lancster in letter-to-the-editor.

And in the very next letter below the mayor’s letter, Randy L. Herman of Manor Township echoes a similar sentiment. H-m-m.

FILE PHOTO: A compressor station pumps natural gas into the Tennessee Pipeline in Dimock, Pa. (Katie Colaneri/StateImpact Pennsylvania).

What happens when government is not transparent: “Susquehanna County, public remained in dark about big methane leak.” | Think Equifax and government that only want favorable things said about them.

When everyone and everything is a target … who knows when, where and toward what or whom the next crazed lashout will be directed?

“Trump Renews Debate Over National Anthem Protest, NFL Players Respond” – NPR

NASCAR owners stand with POTUS – Business Insider

Why do people stand for the national anthem at sporting events? – The Washington Post

Ever wonder who, besides POTUS, didn’t enlist in the United States military when they had the chance? We do.

Sanity remains in Germany … for the moment | “Merkel wins fourth term but far-right populists make gains” – Financial Times

Disrespecting the colors | people do it every day! – Penn Live

The second week’s installments of The Vietnam War began last night; four more nights beginning tonight on WITF. This column: “Maybe President Trump should watch PBS” is a statement about the insanity of war without a reason.

“Wow. We have learned nothing!” cries the writer, Ann McFeatters.

Springhettsbury Township’s amphitheater.

From the Municipal Briefs in today’s LNP – Always Lancaster. Elizabethtown’s “” Borough Council on Thursday approved a change order to the Community Park amphitheater project to construct a tiered seating area for spectators instead of the current arrangement of having people sit on the grassy hill. The new seating area should allow audiences to view performances more comfortably, adding value to the new stage being built to replace one that was in a flood-prone area.” 

In other news in today’s LNP – Always Lancaster, the Lancaster County Land Bank Authority has this on its agenda: “resolution authorizing acquisition of 208-210 Locust St., in Columbia Borough.” This is the property formerly owned by the Biglers – the one that was falling down. The Land Bank’s website if chock full with Columbia property information. But the minutes of the most recent meetings are lacking – none since June despite two meetings announced to be held.

And the Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority has this on its agenda: “Resolution approving a contract with the Lancaster County Land Bank Authority for the expenditure of Community Development Block Grant funds to acquire the residential property at 324 Union St., Columbia.”

Interestingly, at the Redevelopment Authority’s Website, the Land Bank’s meeting minutes from the July and August meetings are posted; this is from the August minutes: “Mr. Justin Eby said that the website will be kept up to date so if members have a question about any of the properties, they can find the most current information there.”
Mr. Justin Eby stated that 839 Blunston Street had just been closed on.”

Confused, yet?

Lancaster County’s Inspections at Lancaster Online. – Yes, all food serving establishments have to be inspected. Interesting this week are the number of schools that were inspected including one with this in its report: “Non-food service workers, unauthorized personnel are entering kitchen to serve themselves soup.” Not suprisingly, the “mess hall” can turn into a watering hole without a qualified, assiduous dining facility supervisor.

York County’s Inspections –

Click here to go to the state’s Website of inspections … and the listing of the violations at each location. The statewide directory lists inspections for all municipalities in York County and Lancaster County.… except those in Columbia – Columbia persists in having its own inspection system with its own forms and inspection items – rather than the one used statewide.

It’s the top of page one article in today’s LNP – Always Lancaster and an excellent Lancaster Insider presentation: “‘Lancaster County would never be the same’: Complaints rise to top as Plain Sect dairy farmers struggle to survive.”

Grate, yes! Proud, no!

He’s not a role model for America’s children: “Donald Trump blasts NFL anthem protesters: ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field'” – The Guardian

From the Police Log in today’s LNP: Always Lancaster: a report from the Manheim Township Police Department: “Christopher S. Youst, 30, of Columbia, was charged with retail theft and theft by deception after he took four bottles of motor oil from a shelf, “returned” two bottles for $60.82 and stole the other two Sept. 19 at Walmart, 2030 Fruitville Pike, police said. Total loss was $118.18.”

Also noticed the photo of the Manheim Township Police Department at its facebook page. Can this be the entire department (16 persons) that has responsibility for policing two townships – Manheim and Lancaster Township?

Why are the folks at the top of this mess not in prison? “After Massive Data Breach, Equifax Directed Customers To Fake Site” – NPR

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“‘Yup, We’re Embarrassed Too’: Viral Photo Shows WH Chief of Staff John Kelly Face-Palming During Trump’s UN Speech” – People magazine

Madness and “delusional” commentary reminiscent of the rantings of another megalomaniac.

As the Republican sycophants try to push through yet another poorly prepared repeal and replace agenda, “Republicans rip Rand for rejecting Obamacare repeal | And the Kentucky senator is just fine with that.” – Politico

Want to “shake your head?” Read this vox.com piece: “GOP senators are rushing to pass Graham-Cassidy. We asked 9 to explain what it does.”

Remember this at the next several elections!

“Suicide and self-harm remain taboo topics in schools, despite the fact youth suicide has reached a ten year high.” – The Conversation

Sometimes it isn’t what it looks like … this post at a local facebook page: “Saturday , our daughter … treated us all to Lunch at Shady Maple, as i was going into restroom , this guy ,about 76 hurried out, didn’t take me long to see why, 1. he stuffed paper in the toilet ,and 2. he tried to do the sink also but i came in. I opened them both up.” has a string of comments, but one especially lucid one, “Maybe he has dementia or a brain injury.”

Alzheimers and related diseases are not funny and the commenter’s point may be accurate. Here’s an informative guide “Understanding and supporting a person with dementia.”

“Five Fridays in one month only occurs a few times a year. HeritagePA has decided to use those days to encourage Pennsylvanians to take in the history and heritage of their region. During each 5th Friday through the end of 2018, there will be community events held throughout the different heritage areas. Here’s ours: Susquehanna Heritage Area:
* Zimmerman Center for Heritage – The Zimmerman Center will extend its regular weekend programming to include HeritagePA’s 5th Friday.
* Columbia Crossing River Trails Center – Current Color: A Year on the River is a special exhibit presenting the work of local artist Diana Thomas. – News release

“The U.S. just got really bad grades in walking” – Futurity

“Islamophobia Isn’t About Them; It’s About Us” – Franklin & Marshall College

“Middle-aged Americans report tooth trouble” – Futurity

The Agenda for the Thursday night School Board meeting is posted. This is just one of the advances that the joint services agreement has produced: on time, before the meetings, agendas that citizens can see and review.

Where are we going? “In a rare act of bipartisanship on Capitol Hill, the Senate passed a $700 billion defense policy bill on Monday that sets forth a muscular vision of America as a global power, with a Pentagon budget that far exceeds what President Trump has asked for.” – The New York Times

This George Will column in The Washington Post (‘The Vietnam War’ is a masterpiece — and a model for assessing our history) is another look at the mis-steps to the Vietnam experience.

We revere the subtitle at The Washington Post Website: “Democracy Dies in Darkness.” Without newspapers and online publications willing to seek truth and shine light into every corner – there is no democracy.

On Friday – It’s the Fall Equinox; the first day of fall begins at 4:02 pm. – The Old Farmers’ Almanac

No more mortgage deductions on federal taxes? That and more are being considered by the Senate. – The Star-Advertiser, Honolulu

“The Shame of the Mortgage-Interest Deduction: It’s not just a failure of housing policy. It’s a symbol of everything that’s wrong with the American tax code.” – The Atlantic magazine

Communicating with the public | According to the Municipal Briefs in today’s LNP – Always Lancaster, in Marietta a councilwoman and public outreach committee member, ” Leah Nagle brought up the possibility of the borough setting up its own Facebook page. She said there are 3,000 people in the Marietta area who are active on Facebook. Council decided to try some test posts by posting to the Facebook page entitled “17547,” a page dedicated to Marietta but not affiliated with the borough.”

papers.”

This second publication LEGAL NOTICE appears in today’s LNP – Always Lancaster AND still does not appear at the borough’s LEGAL NOTICES page at the Website. Despite all the chatter about communications, yet the borough does not use its own FREE resources to inform citizens who may not read LNP – Always Lancaster especially the LEGAL NOTICES section.

The Columbia High School Athletic Hall of Fame will induct three new members on Friday, Sept. 22 during the Crimson Tide’s home football game with Donegal.

In addition to the induction ceremony honoring three former CHS athletes, the evening’s program will be dedicated to former Crimson Tide student-athlete, a former four time state track champion Ronnie Smith, who recently died. Also, prior to going to the football field for the football game, the CHS Athletic Hall of Fame Wall of Fame will be unveiled in the lobby of the Elmer Kreiser Gym at 6:30 p.m. The Wall of Fame will feature plaques of former inductees into the hall. A fund-raising effort to purchase the plaques for the inductees was spearheaded by former CHS coach, athletic director, teacher and assistant principal Steve Wisler.

The evening will start with a social in the Columbia High School cafeteria beginning at 5 p.m., which will include an informal induction of the inductees. The actual induction ceremony will take place at halftime of the Section 3 opener between the Crimson Tide and Indians.

The CHS Class of 2017 includes: Dennis Bachman (Class of 1962), Thomas Smith (Class of 1964) and Michael Seibert (Class of (2008). Also to be honored are members of the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2016 who were unable to be inducted a year ago because the induction night football game was canceled. Those inductees were Jim Leddy, Kelly McCarty Brommer, Renee Groft Aston, Dave Mountz, the late Andy Swingler and the 1956 boys’ basketball team.

Here are brief bios of the inductees:

Bachman: He was a three year lettermen in football and a member of the 1960 Conference of Roses co-championship team, which finished with an 8-2 record. He won the 1961 offensive lineman award and was defensive player of the year, averaging 16.7 tackles a game. That year he had 167 tackles for the year with a season-high of 27 tackles against Elizabethtown.

He participated in the Wheatland Sertoma All-Star game and served as captain of the 1962 wrestling team and had a record of 8-4-2.

He was voted best linebacker in 1998 for the 100^th anniversary of Columbia High School football and served as an assistant coach for the 2011 CHS football team that won the District Three Class A championship.

Smith: He is a five-time varsity letter winner, three in track and two in basketball. He was captain of the 1963-64 basketball team and 1964 track tram. The 1963 Crimson Tide basketball team won the county championship. Smith was a member of the CHS basketball team that went to the District Three finals in 1962-63 and 1963-64.

Smith was a member of the 1963 mile relay team that won a state title and a gold medal at the Penn Relays. Smith was also a member of the 1962, 1963, 1964 mile relay team that won the county championship and also won the mile relay at the Hanover and Shippensburg Relays.

Seibert: Was a two time captain of the football and basketball teams and also was captain of the baseball team in 2008. He was honorable mention all-sate in football, three times he was honored as the Quarterback Club’s Player of the Week and twice selected Lancaster New Era Player of the Week.

In basketball, he was an all-section, all-league and all-state selection plus a first team all-district selection in 2008. He also received the Danny Monk Memorial Award.

In baseball, Seibert was a first team all-league selection in 2007 and 2008.

The public is invited to attend the social as well as the Wall of Fame unveiling and the halftime induction ceremony.

Jim Smith is chairman of the Hall of Fame committee. Other members are Karen Kuhn, Jeff Deascenti, Mark Wisler, Jack Yohe, Donald Arndt, Brandi Gambler, Mike Burke, Abby Smith, Charles Reinhart and Barry Ford.

SOURCE: news release

At last night’s council meeting, Columbia residents Tim Hess and Lindsey Brenner made yet another appeal to the councillors; an appeal to get help from the borough for a flooding problem they contend is a safety hazard, a public health threat and the borough’s responsibility.

Brenner and her husband, Tim, live at 1020 Cloverton Drive and they assert, and can prove, the borough has responsibility for storm water drainage and runoff for the community where they live.

Brenner and Hess wanted to read a prepared statement; they provided copies of the statement to the councillors before she spoke.

The audio recording of last night’s statement follows below in three parts. This is necessary due to the file size limitations of our Website provider. The statement is in three parts – is approximately five minutes in length.

Brenner insisted that her statement be included with the minutes for this meeting.

Here are links to previous Columbia news, views & reviews reports on their 1020 Cloverton property concerns:

https://columbianewsandviews.com/2017/08/21/who-is-responsible-after-the-dedication-of-the-streets/

https://columbianewsandviews.com/2017/08/15/who-is-responsible-a-standoff-about-water-runoff/

https://columbianewsandviews.com/2017/08/14/a-portion-of-an-added-agenda-item-to-the-august-borough-council-meeting/

https://columbianewsandviews.com/2017/07/13/five-more-facts-7132017/

At the April 2017 meeting – “Three other citizens came to the meeting to discuss an issue – we think about storm water. Council shunted the citizens into an anteroom to discuss their observations with Ron Miller, the public works director.” (two of those citizens were Hess and Brenner and their neighbor) – https://columbianewsandviews.com/?s=shunted

Interestingly, there is no mention of this at the April 10, 2017 meeting minutes.