Just say no

Here is Cheryl Stansbury's story from Monday's council meeting in Columbia.

It might be three strikes and no place to go for former State Representative Tom Armstrong, who is looking for a halfway house to house sex offenders.
In May, Armstrong of Marietta, was forced to move the offenders from an building in Conestoga Township, after residents complained.
So he moved the offenders into his house in Marietta. Last week, Marietta Borough Council was forced to deal with the issue after a number of residents complained.
Armstrong’s ultimate location is Columbia. Monday night, it was Columbia’s turn to hear from residents, who don’t want the sex offenders moving into Columbia. The home on South Fifth Street is within two blocks of the Park Elementary School and Our Lady of the Angels School.
At its meeting, council said it is taking steps to prevent Armstrong from moving the men to Columbia.
Most of those in attendance at Monday’s council meeting, wanted to address the Armstrong situation. After one of the residents spoke, Mayor Leo Lutz stepped in and explained how the borough was attacking the issue.
Biddy Helton of Mountville sparked the discussion when she asked council if there would be a spot for the house in Columbia.
“I read in the newspaper that the location in Marietta was only a temporary residence for the three sex offenders until the Columbia property was ready,” said Helton. “So, will there be a spot for them in Columbia?”
“The borough is doing everything it physically possibly can and will use every legal means necessary to protect the residents and their children,” said Borough Manager Norm Meiskey. “No stone has been unturned.”
Councilwoman Mary Wickenheiser assured the public that council has been on top of things.
“From the time that the house failed in Conestoga, we were on it. We don’t want it in Columbia and we will do everything we can to prevent it,” said Wickenheiser.
According to resident Louise Birk, living beside an Armstrong property is unpleasant. She lived next door to a property that Armstrong owned and she said the police were every other night.
“He sold the property, and the police haven’t had to come around at all,” said Birk. “Do all you can do, please. You have a good community.”
Mayor Lutz told the public where council stood on the issue.
“We don’t want these folks in Columbia. We have been working really hard to revitalize the community and something like this would not work with what we are trying to do. So we don’t want it,” said Lutz.
Helton also questioned council on whether federal funding was involved and council was unaware of the funding for the house.
“If someone is getting federal dollars to run a program as this, then people have a right to say whether they want it or not, because they are paying for it,” said Lutz.
Currently, there are no laws in Lancaster County restricting where sex offenders can live. Megan’s Law simply requires them to report where they are living and
Lutz said that the Adam Walsh Bill doesn’t affect Pennsylvania. According to Lutz, House Bill 164 does it all. It restricts where they not only live, but where they can go. It assigns penalties according to the seriousness of crime. With this bill, some offenders, depending on the seriousness, will not be permitted within 200 feet of a school, playground, or day care center. Some offenders may even have to wear an ankle bracelet, so authorities know where the are at all times.
Resident Donald Haines thanked council for a job well done. Haines moved to Columbia about two years ago and he said he’s noticed much change in that two year time period.
“There is such tremendous pride in this community, and it’s important that we are bringing the right people in,” said Haines. “Something like this will discourage family people from moving in and those are he kinds of people we want. I would like to commend council and say thank you for the hard work you’ve done in preventing this blemish.”
Helton also commended council on doing such a good job.
“I went to Marietta’s meeting and they wouldn’t really discuss anything,” said Helton. “I commend Columbia Borough Council for updating the public on what’s going on and for caring and working so hard to stop it.”
Resident Connie Beury agreed. “I just wanted to say ditto,” said Beury. “I think council is doing a great job.”
The public can help stop it too. According to Council President Sandy Duncan, the more concerns that are expressed publicly, the more help it is. Duncan asked the public to keep this a hot button item in their conversations, because community input is important.
Another way to help is to help get the House Bill 164 passed. Lutz asks that the residents contact local legislators and ask them to pass it through.

A great day

To be honest with people, over the last two months or so, I’ve had more bad days than good days.
Not sure, but I guess my illness and recovery had a lot to do with that.
But Sunday was a great day, one of the best I’ve had for a while.
Why?
I went to see the Phillies play for the first time since April. I didn’t think I’d get down to August if then, but last week, we decided to make the trip. The only thing are me using a wheelchair and having a spot to sit. So, we called the Phillies earlier in the week and they told us how to go about it.
So, I got to see a game and get away for the day with no apparent problems.
I never felt better. Okay, the Phillies won, thanks to Pat Burrell, who should be an all-star; but it was just getting away after more than two long months of being a shut-in (only going out about five or six times other than a doctor’s appointment).
So one can easily see why I was so excited.
I need to thank my friend Steve for coming up with the idea.
Sunday’s game with the Diamondback was all I expected with two of the best hurlers in the game today, Brandon Webb and Cole Hamels on the mound.
It was a great comeback by the Phillies. I will say in the bottom of the eighth with the score tied at 2-2, I called that the Phils were gonna win. After all, they had Utley, Howard and Burrell coming up.
Here are some other highlights.
• The peanuts were outstanding.
• We got the Shane Victorino figurine that they were giving out. Guess is pays to go in on a wheelchair.
• Please explain to me why Charlie Manuel went out to argue a “fair” ball call late in the game. It took him longer to get out to argue than he did speaking with the umpire.
• The National Anthem was outstanding, but I can’t say the same thing for the seventh inning God Bless America.
• The weather was outstanding until we got close to Park City.

Odds and ends...

• Can’t believe Charlie Manuel picked Jamie Moyer to start the second half of the season.
• The Phils are still short at least two pitchers.
• The Phils will win the NL East by five game or more, if they get a couple of arms and perhaps a bat.
• Really tired of the Brett Favre stuff.
• If you are a Columbia football fan, you’ll like the fact that all home games and a few road games will start at 7 p.m.
• Wonder how many people will be playing the numbers 8, 8, 08 for the Big 4 when the Olympics open next month?
• For some reason, the Arena Football League doesn’t really fill the bill in the off-season.
• The Sixers have improved themselves with the signing of Elton Brand. I think it was a bold move.
• Say what you want, but I think Charles Barkley is one of the most interesting people to listen to. It’s a shame, he can’t golf a lick.
• So, what is the best giveaway ever at a ball game? I’d have to say those bobbleheads, but I’d like to see more of the old-timers.

Something to think about

It might not be a subject that might have become taboo in Columbia or forgotten about.
I think it is probably five years or so since Lancaster General Hospital closed the former Columbia Hospital.
I’m sure, I’ll get a response or two about this column, but it has to be written or said.
Each day, I sit here with a police-EMS scanner on and more often than not I hear that LGH is on Emergency Room divert, which means patients must go to another hospital.
I recently experienced a reason why LGH should consider re-opening what is now called the Columbia Health Center.
That being an over-crowded ER. The first time I was in back in May, was an early Saturday morning, but still didn’t get a room until the afternoon.
The last two times I was in, my room was in the hallway and the next day, I didn’t get a room until almost 10 hours after being treated.
I had a friend to had a family member check into the ER and it was almost 24 hours later till they got a room.
Here’s my point, if the LGH ER is that busy and there are not enough rooms to go around, why not re-open Columbia and take some of the pressure off the downtown hospital.
Like I said, I’m sure there will be some responses, but I thought I would just throw it out there and see if anyone else feels the same way or had similar experiences.
I know of some doctors that I talked with who would like to see it as well.

Good News

Had another hyperbaric treatment today and met with the doctor afterwards.
Ask why I didn't hear any results from a recent blood test. He looked it up on line and found some good news for me. One of the tests for sediment/infection revealed a number 17. It has to be a number 10. In May when I first went in the hospital, it was an 83.