BELLEFONTE – Commissioner Michael Pipe is running for re-election for a seat on the Centre County Board of Commissioners in 2015.
Pipe is seeking the Democratic nomination in the Primary Election on May 19.
“I’m focused on bringing people together to work on the challenges facing Centre County,” he said. To find solutions, Pipe believes elected officials must have the patience necessary to find common ground. “I’m more interested in having an honest debate than scoring political points.”
Pipe is running for re-election to continue improving public safety, supporting economic development, making government more transparent, increasing access at the ballot box, reforming the criminal justice system and safeguarding mental health services.
Pipe was born and raised in southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2004, he moved to Centre County to attend Penn State, where he graduated in 2009 with a degree in political science.
During his time at Penn State and after graduation, Pipe worked as an assistant manager at a restaurant in downtown State College. In 2011, Pipe was elected Centre County Commissioner. He is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Centre County. He and his wife, Ashley, live in Millheim.
Pipe serves on numerous boards within County Government, including: the Salary Board, Retirement Board, Prison Board, Elections Board, Employee Benefits Trust Board, Board of Assessment, Finance Committee, Criminal Justice Advisory Board, Local Emergency Planning Council and the Records Improvement Committee.
Several organizations invite the commissioners to appoint a member to serve on their boards. Pipe currently serves on the C-NET Board of Directors and the Centre County Municipal Planning Organization (CCMPO). Since 2013, he has served as the vice-chair of the CCMPO.
Pipe’s interest in education, human services, emergency services and agricultural issues attracted him to serve as a liaison to the following groups: Children & Youth Services Advisory Board, Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Invention (MH/ID/EI) Advisory Board, Agricultural Land Preservation Board, Centre County Fire Chiefs Association and the Cooperative Extension Board of Directors.
Pipe is also involved with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP). Pipe serves on the following CCAP committees: Community & Economic Development, Elections Reform and Natural Gas Task Force.