COLUMBIA, Pa. — During Monday night’s Borough Council meeting, borough officials formally acknowledged the resignation of Columbia’s Property Inspector, Matt Peak, effective Aug. 26, 2026. While the announcement was brief, many residents know that Matt’s impact on the community has been anything but small.

For years, Matt has been a familiar face throughout Columbia, handling the often thankless responsibilities that come with code enforcement and property inspections. Whether responding to complaints, working with property owners, helping residents understand borough regulations, or addressing quality-of-life concerns, Matt has always approached the job with professionalism and a willingness to help.

Let’s be honest. Code enforcement is one of the toughest jobs in local government.

When things are going well, nobody notices. When there is a problem, everyone notices.

Despite the challenges, Matt built a reputation as someone who genuinely cared about Columbia and its residents. He spent countless hours walking neighborhoods, investigating concerns, and doing his part to help keep the borough moving forward.

Over the years, many residents have come to know Matt not just as a borough employee, but as a genuinely good person. He has always been approachable, respectful, and willing to listen, even when dealing with difficult situations.

And speaking of difficult situations…

Following last week’s tornado, The Columbia Chronicle captured many photos documenting the storm’s aftermath and the tremendous efforts of emergency personnel, borough staff, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to help the community recover. In one of those photos, let’s just say Matt’s backside may have been featured a little more prominently than intended.

For that, Matt, we apologize.

The photo was never meant to steal your spotlight, although some readers might argue it became one of the most memorable images from an otherwise difficult day.

Thankfully, Matt took it in stride, which speaks volumes about the kind of person he is.

More importantly, that photo captured exactly what Matt has always done for Columbia: showing up and getting the job done when the community needs help.

As Matt begins his next chapter, we want to thank him for his years of service to Columbia Borough and wish him nothing but success in whatever comes next.

The community is better because of the work he put in, and his presence will certainly be missed.

From all of us at The Columbia Chronicle:

Thank you, Matt.

Good luck in your future endeavors.

And sorry about that tornado photo.

We love you, Matt! ❤️

Fair winds and following seas, Matt. Columbia won’t forget you.