CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners fielded several questions from Dr. James Lebda of the Ginter area during the public comment period at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
First, he said it wasn’t until recently that the commissioners authorized to arm the county’s security guards. “… Why [was there a] delay?” Lebda asked.
According to Commissioner John A. Sobel, chair, there wasn’t one specific reason. He explained there had been a series of ongoing discussions among county entities to determine the best manner to provide security.
Both Sobel and Commissioner Mark B. McCracken also noted the commissioners had to make sure all of the county’s security guards obtained up-to-date certifications before arming them.
“The important thing is that we did make the decision to arm the security guards,” he said. “It did enhance their ability for guarding for Clearfield County.”
Next, Lebda asked if the commissioners were able to provide a brief update on any new developments and or objectives regarding the Clearfield County delegation’s April trade mission to “communist China.”
Sobel said a Chinese oil and petrochemical delegation will visit Clearfield County next month. A date hasn’t been set at this time, he said, adding that these sorts of things often develop quickly.
“I have a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and hope to learn more details then,” he said.
He also reported he’s had recent correspondence with the governor of Lanling County with which the county has a sister-county agreement.
Sobel said, “They’d hoped to get to Clearfield County this year, but now it looks like they can’t. I indicated that I was sorry they can’t make it but let them know there’s an ongoing invitation to visit.”
So far as the “ultimate goal,” it’s to spur some kind of investment from Chinese business entities here. There are also hopes to open up markets and trade opportunities for businesses in Clearfield County, he said.
Lebda asked why McCracken didn’t accompany fellow Commissioners Tony Scotto and Sobel with the Clearfield County delegation to China in April. McCracken said they initially looked at all three going but decided someone needed to stay behind and run the county due to the length of the trip.
Lebda followed that question with asking if grant and personal monies were both involved with covering the trip’s expenses. Sobel indicated he wasn’t trying to avoid the question but would prefer for it to be directed to and answered by Rob Swales, chief executive officer of Clearly Ahead Development.
Sobel, however, did indicate that both he and Scotto paid for the costs of their trips so they wouldn’t be using grant or government monies. Lebda asked why if they were available and if they were representing the interest of Clearfield County.
Sobel explained that he and Scotto felt that perhaps voters and taxpayers, as they should, might question the use of their monies on a trip to China. “We decided that the smart thing to do was to take that off of the table and pay out of our own pockets.”
Lebda asked Sobel if members of the communist party were present in their business meetings in China. Sobel replied, saying he wasn’t going to say at every one, but that they did frequently have a presence with the Chinese delegation.
Lebda then wanted to know if the Clearfield County delegation had given any consideration to the fact that China has a terrible record of human rights abuse. “And, you want to bring those people into this county?” he asked.
Sobel indicated it was “something we always do consider” and “keep in the back of our minds.” However, he said their primary goal is to help the county’s economy, and that’s also a concern for the local communities.
When asked, Sobel added that Clearfield County isn’t working with China exclusively. He mentioned delegations have visited from not only Asia, but also from Australia and Europe. Sobel shared that he’s had personal discussions with a gentleman from Erie who has informed him of emerging markets in East Africa, which he would like to pursue further.
“We’re certainly considering all parts of the globe,” Sobel said.
Lastly, Lebda asked if the county’s Solicitor Kim Kesner files annual financial statements as required under the Ethic’s Act and where custody of them is maintained. Sobel deferred to Kesner, who indicated he files them here with the county, as well as with any municipality he represents.