CLEARFIELD – Tony Scotto brought with him the experience of being Clearfield County Controller and a local small businessman when he took office as county commissioner at the start of the New Year.
Scotto began considering a run for county commissioner early in his second-term as county controller. “I ran [for controller] because I wanted to make a difference in our community,” he said.
“But the difference you make is limited. The commissioners, however, make decisions to impact our entire community. I wanted to use my experience and knowledge to make a difference in our community as much as possible.”
Scotto said because of his service as controller, he brings knowledge of the ins and outs involved with the county’s budget. Additionally, he’s worked very closely through the budget process with the various other elected officials and department heads.
“I know their needs; I know their struggles,” he said. At the same time, Scotto pointed out the commissioners manage the affairs of the county, and he thinks like a small businessman who places importance of operating within a budget and controlling expenses.
“It is like owning and operating a small business,” Scotto said. “If you have a small business, you don’t want to overspend; if you do, you will put yourself out of business. “It’s the same way for the county. You can either control expenses, or you can raise taxes.
“As county commissioners, I feel that we have a duty to keep our budget in balance. We have to operate under a leaner budget and still provide quality services to our community. So, we have to make responsible decisions to stay in line and not overburden our taxpayers.”
Scotto will serve as the county’s commissioner representative on the Clearfield County Recreation & Tourism Authority, also known as Visit Clearfield County; it acts as the county’s tourism promotion agency. Scotto recognized that the county has many assets working in its favor.
For him, Clearfield County offers great opportunities for hunting and fishing, canoeing and kayaking and other outdoor recreation. He said it’s attractive due to its existing infrastructure and being centrally-located in the commonwealth, along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and right off of Interstate 80.
As commissioner, Scotto would like to see the county’s tourism help showcase these assets not just for visitors, but also to bring opportunities for new economic development. He said the county is especially attractive for business and industry – both domestic and international – now with the Clearfield Commerce Park having a Food Site Certification.
For instance, he said business and industry representatives may be attracted to the opportunities the county presents for them to grow due to the existing infrastructure, a good workforce and the short distance to major cities. At the same time, he said he wants them to take notice of the “small town feel” and see a place where they could raise their family.
He said by creating and maintaining a business-friendly environment, it would help facilitate new economic opportunities and grow the local community. In turn, he said it would create more opportunities to educate and employ the county’s young people here.
In addition to the recreation and tourism board, Scotto will serve as the commissioner representative to the Clearfield County Conservation District. He would like to work alongside the CCCD to protect the environment in Clearfield County and to preserve its agricultural heritage.
“We have to balance allowing the development of business and industries here with protecting our environment, our farms and our agriculture,” he said. Scotto added that the staff members at the CCCD have always worked hard, and he looks forward to joining their initiatives.
But ultimately Scotto’s primary focus will be on ensuring the county’s fiscal responsibility so not to raise taxes. “It’s going to be tough, and there’s not going to be a simple answer. But I want to do everything possible to help run an efficient government in Clearfield County.”
Scotto is a graduate of Seton Hall University. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in business administration, with a concentration in finance. He’s the owner of Scotto’s Pizzeria, DuBois. Scotto and his wife, Rossella, reside in Sandy Township with their two children, Mario and Monica.