York City Limits http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/ Life in the city has its ups and downs, its quirks and characters. Members of the York Daily Record/Sunday News staff share their experiences as residents of York County's urban center. en-us Copyright 2009 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:39:54 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Lots of turkey and holiday-related events coming up
  • Turkey Times at Central Market tomorrow (Nov. 21). 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities include turkey bowling, a popcorn relay, pin the feather on the turkey and more. See the flier here.
  • Monday night (Nov. 23) is Crispus Attucks Cultural Thanksgiving event. They'll honor unsung heroes and promote diversity. "The History of Step" will also be celebrated with performances by: the SouthSide Steppers, the Commodores and Pasos Caribenos. Event's in the gym at 605 S. Duke St., York.
  • York County Community Against Racism will hold its monthly meeting at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Nov. 21). If you attend the meeting, bring a non-perishable food item. YCCAR Center is at 116 N. George St., York.
  • YMCA's Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. Race begins and ends on Market Street near the YMCA, 90 N. Newberry St. Registration starts at 7:15 that day or you can register in advance at the YMCA or GoraceGo.com.
  • Downtown Inc.'s annual Hanging of the Greens is at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
  • Holiday Open House weekend is Dec. 4-5.  Light Up Night is Dec. 4.


]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/lots-of-turkey-and-holiday-rel.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/lots-of-turkey-and-holiday-rel.html Angie Mason downtown events holidays organizations Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:39:54 -0500 City budget hearings coming up here.

Highlights: There's no property tax increase, but there are increases in sewer and refuse fees (50 cents per thousand gallons and 50 cents per unit per month, respectively). The budget also cuts nine vacant positions - six police officers, two firefighters and one public works job. One city employee in public works is also being laid off.

The budget also hikes the street sweeping fine to $50, but it eliminates the practice of towing cars on street sweeping days.

The York City Council now has the budget and will hold a series of hearings.

They are:
6:30 p.m. Monday - elected officials, human relations commission, community development
6:30 p.m. Nov. 30 - public works, economic development, fire department
6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 - business administration, police department

To read the budget, visit the city's Web site. Send your feedback to budget@yorkcity.org.

]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/city-budget-hearings-coming-up.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/city-budget-hearings-coming-up.html Angie Mason budget fire department police Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:07:14 -0500 Garage renovations moving along garage2.jpg
Here's something you don't hear often, about any project, anywhere - they're ahead of schedule.

Michael O'Rourke, the city's business administrator, said the garage renovation is a few months ahead of schedule. The crews will keep working throughout the winter and, he hopes, finish in March.

To see a brochure on the renovation project, click here.
]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/garage-renovations-moving-alon.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/garage-renovations-moving-alon.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:56:14 -0500 Crispus Attucks to discuss survey results
Nearly 300 residents and 100 employees were surveyed, and the meeting will feature highlights from the data gathered. Residents will be able to get involved by joining an advisory committee that will help the association address concerns voiced in the survey.

The meeting will take place at Crispus Attucks gym, 605 S. Duke St.

]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/crispus-attucks-to-discuss-sur.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/crispus-attucks-to-discuss-sur.html Angie Mason neighbors Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:23:40 -0500 Street sweeping updates
Year-round sweeping takes place on certain streets Friday mornings from 7:15 to 11:45.

Here's the list of streets from the city.

]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/streetsweeping-updates.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/streetsweeping-updates.html Angie Mason Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:13:43 -0500 Light Up Night details lightup.jpg
The event, which features live entertainment, a free movie, caroling, the lighting of the holiday tree and other activities, starts at 5 p.m in Continental Square in York. Donations will be taken in a tent at the corner of South George and West Market streets.

(File photo at right: Students from the Greater York Center for Dance Education warm up for their Light Up Night performance.)



]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/light-up-night-details.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/light-up-night-details.html Angie Mason Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:42:33 -0500 City council meeting postponed
Public comment will begin at 6:30 p.m.

A public hearing on the 2030 comprehensive plan will still be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The zoning appeal hearing board, originally scheduled to meet in council chambers at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19, will instead meet in the conference room on the fourth floor at 1 Marketway West.
     
 ]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/city-council-meeting-postponed.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/city-council-meeting-postponed.html Angie Mason Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:27:13 -0500 Roger Brooks' return postponed brooks.jpg
Brooks was scheduled to come back to York this week and report his findings, but he fell ill, said Sonia Huntzinger, director of Downtown Inc.

So, instead, he'll return to York Dec. 1. He'll be giving a public presentation of his formal findings from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center. 

]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/roger-brooks-return-postponed.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/roger-brooks-return-postponed.html Angie Mason downtown revitalization Roger Brooks Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:34:48 -0500 Annual Christmas event coming up xmas.jpg
The event, hosted by the Alliance in partnership with churches, organizations and businesses, includes entertainment, free gifts for children, games, crafts and a dinner. Times for the event are 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

Registration is required. Call 846-1060 for registration dates and locations.  

The school is at 415 E. Boundary Ave., York.

(Photo above is of Eagle Christian Ministries youth group members preparing for the event last year.)

]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/annual-christmas-event-coming.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/annual-christmas-event-coming.html Angie Mason free events holidays Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:53:18 -0500 Contact the mayor-elect, her team Robert Lambert will head the team York mayor-elect Kim Bracey has formed to advise her as she moves into her new job in January.

The other members of Bracey's Community Advisory Review Team have not yet been announced. Those names, as well as information about the team's first meeting, will be announced in the future, according to a news release.

The team will be split into three subcommittees focused on public safety, budget and operations, and community revitalization, the release states. The groups will meet in the coming weeks and report back to Bracey.

To send suggestions to the team, visit the city's Web site and click on "community advisory review team." Bracey can also be reached at braceyformayor@gmail.com.

]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/contact-the-mayor-elect-her-te.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/contact-the-mayor-elect-her-te.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:46:39 -0500 Patio curtain at White Rose
I wondered what it would be like out there now that the temperatures have cooled. I noticed that the restaurant was planning to install a heavy plastic curtain when the item passed through the city's HARB agenda. I wondered how much that would actually help. But on Monday, I have to say, it wasn't too bad on the patio. Granted, it was a warmer day and I suspect the heat wasn't cranked up too much, but I was OK while we ate dinner.

I'm always cold, so I was still a little chilly, but I've been colder inside restaurants.

Anyone else eaten on the patio since they put up the plastic?

]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/patio-curtain-at-white-rose.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/patio-curtain-at-white-rose.html Angie Mason nightlife restaurants eating restaurants weather White Rose Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:54:12 -0500 Where was Toni Smith on Election Day?
The flu, apparently.

Smith was absent from Wednesday's city council meeting, and Councilman Cameron Texter said she was missing because she had the swine flu.

I talked to Smith Thursday morning, and she said that's what the doctor told her she had, though she didn't get a test for it. She said she fell ill with a fever Saturday.

It was the first time in 25 years she wasn't working the polls on election day, she said.

"I miss the people," she said, adding that she got phone calls all day Wednesday asking where she was. She was feeling better Thursday and said she'll be back to city council next week, when committee meetings are scheduled.

But even though she missed Tuesday's meeting, she still had her say. She watched the meeting on WRCT and called Texter during the meeting to relay a message to council.

]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/where-was-toni-smith-on-electi.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/11/where-was-toni-smith-on-electi.html Angie Mason Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:46:12 -0500 Traffic advisory for Saturday
George Street will be closed from North Street to Princess Street for the race start, and there will be no parking after 7 a.m. on George Street from North Street to Princess Street.  
Traffic will also be stopped briefly on several streets while the race passes by. Those streets are:
  
]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/10/traffic-advisory-for-saturday.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/10/traffic-advisory-for-saturday.html Angie Mason Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:39:03 -0500 Time for holiday decorations!
Downtown Inc. is looking for help to decorate the city for the holidays.
greens.jpg
The annual Hanging of the Greens event starts at 3 p.m. Nov. 24, at Wagman Construction, 231 N. George St.

Individuals or groups interested in helping should call 849-2331 or e-mail info@downtownyorkpa.com.

The event is sponsored by Wagman Construction. SKH and Chas. Schaefer Flower Shop donated pine roping and red bows, respectively.

The file photo above is from the 2006 Hanging of the Greens. 
     
     


]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/10/time-for-holiday-decorations.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/10/time-for-holiday-decorations.html Angie Mason holidays Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:26:26 -0500 Budget hearing #4: Police, ShotSpotter, economic development
The hearing set aside for public comment is Friday (tomorrow, Oct. 23) at 10 a.m. in city council chambers.
    
Economic Development:

Director Kevin Schreiber pointed out that, for the seventh year in a row, the department's $687,000 budget is less than 7/10 of one percent of the entire city budget. He recounted some of the projects that have been completed in the city this year, such as the Codo apartment complex and the renovated (but still vacant) Futer Brothers building, and the 30 SoHo condo complex, which will soon become official with a ribbon cutting.

Among the few new budget requests was $6,000, to be matched by Downtown Inc., to expand the First Friday program, which is aimed at bringing pedestrian traffic downtown. Schreiber said the idea is to spend about $1,000 each month to market and expand the program next year.

The budget contained $20,000 to keep the Fresh Food Revolving Loan Fund going. Six restaurants have participated so far, Schreiber said. When the businesses pay back their loans, that money goes toward future loans.

Another $20,000 was requested to start another revolving loan fund for capital improvements at businesses. For both loan funds, the city money would be leveraged by other sources.

]]> http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/10/budget-hearing-4-police-shotsp.html http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2009/10/budget-hearing-4-police-shotsp.html Angie Mason Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:11:33 -0500