CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners held their reorganization meeting Monday under what is reported to be first-time conditions.
John Sobel, newly elected commissioner and recently elected commissioner chairman, ran the meeting via speaker phone from the University of Pittsburg Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital.
Earlier this month Sobel reportedly slipped on the courthouse steps, suffering injuries that required medical attention. Sobel was recently sworn into office by speaker phone as well.
Chief Clerk Lisa McFadden said this was the first she knew of that the Clearfield County Commissioners conducted a meeting by speaker phone.
“I told folks I wanted to hit the ground running,” Sobel joked over the phone.
Commissioner Joan Robinson-McMillen read a prepared statement during the meeting:
“We would like to declare Clearfield County is “Open for Business.” We intend on running the county government for the people, spending its money wisely and efficiently.
“Our focus for the next four years will be the pursuit of high paying, high quality, and family sustaining jobs. We are going to encourage and enhance Clearfield County as the capital for the biofuels industry, support our local businesses and promote Clearfield County as the Gateway to the PA Wilds.
“The hardworking people of Clearfield County deserve a government that serves them and that is what we intend on doing.”
As part of the reorganization meeting, the commissioners set their monthly meeting schedule. The commissioners will hold their regular meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 10 a.m. They will hold their work sessions on the first Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m.
The board reappointed Kim Kesner as solicitor and McFadden as chief clerk.
“I’m very much looking forward to the next four years,” said Mark McCracken, commissioner.