1. Provide a brief professional and personal background.
I have had the honor of serving Clearfield County as your commissioner since 2008. I am a life-long resident of Clearfield County and make my home in Lawrence Township.
My alma maters include Clearfield Area High School, Vanderbilt University and the Penn State Dickinson School of Law. I have also practiced law in Clearfield County since 1980.
My community involvement includes the Joseph & Elizabeth Shaw Public Library Board, the Clearfield YMCA Board and the Bilger’s Rocks Association.
I am the commissioner representative on the Clearfield/Jefferson Heroin Task Force and the Recreation and Tourism Authority. I also belong to the National Rifle Association.
I am the father of one daughter, Johnna, who teaches third grade for the Clearfield Area School District and resides in Huston Township. I worship at the Presbyterian Church of Clearfield where I have served as an elder.
2. Why did you choose to run for the office of Clearfield County Commissioner?
I suppose that I have had an interest in history and politics since I was a child. The idea of seeking elective office has always fascinated me.
I also chose to return home to Clearfield County after finishing my education. I therefore want to make it a better place like so many other folks are trying to do.
Although the office of commissioner doesn’t have the power that most people think it does, it is overall the greatest policymaker for the county.
Consequently, the office is the perfect tool to improve the lives of our citizens. I therefore chose to run for commissioner. Hopefully, I will be able to continue to serve our citizens.
3. What qualifies you to serve in the capacity of Clearfield County Commissioner?
I believe that my years of experience as a serving commissioner have given me a wealth of knowledge about the job. My time prior to that on the Clearfield Area School Board also served me well.
I additionally believe that my training and experience in the law equips me for the office, as the law of the commonwealth is the framework within which the county government operates. A knowledge of the same is very helpful.
Finally, I care about the county. It is my home. I hope to make it the best home possible.
4. Do you feel that the county is transparent enough? If not, what needs to change?
I sincerely believe that the county is as transparent as it can be within the constraints of the law. We, commissioners, err on the side of transparency if in doubt.
Our Right to Know officer and solicitor also keep abreast of all developments in the law as it pertains to the same.
I do suppose, however, that government can never be too transparent. Therefore, we and the above officials will always strive to create more transparency when needed.
5. If elected, how would you reach out and form relationships with citizens of Clearfield County? How would you reach out to those citizens in the outlying areas of the county?
We, commissioners, do make special effort to form relationships with our citizens as the same are so important for the effective operation of local government.
My years of experience as your commissioner have enabled me to connect with many of our citizens and use these bonds for the benefit of the county.
I regularly attend meetings throughout the county during both the day and night whenever asked by folks in the county. Our meetings are also open to the public and we never turn away anyone who wishes to address us.
Finally, I would note that I represent many small municipalities in my practice of law. They tend to be from the outlying areas. The same has also enabled me over the years to develop those special relationships that make folks feel more comfortable about coming to us with an issue of importance to them.
6. If elected, what measures would you take to ensure the efficient operation of Clearfield County?
The Clearfield County Commissioners regularly review how are departments are doing in order to ensure that they are performing their functions as well and as efficiently as possible.
If we find that there is an issue, then we resolve it. For example, it’s not unusual for us to convert a full-time position to a part-time one if we discover that there’s just not enough work or responsibility to justify the same. Savings are then realized by the taxpayers.
However, we will add a position or consolidate part-time positions into one position if a department’s workload has increased.
Recently, we decided to add a part-time director to one of our offices as the current director was having difficulty processing work due to an increase in part-time military responsibilities.
As we need to support our citizen soldiers as well as the citizens of the county, we will, in that instance, add a part-time staff member.
All of the aforesaid is done within the constraints of the county budget, of course. However, we place high importance on efficiency.
7. If elected, what measures would you take to generate economic development opportunities for Clearfield County?
The greatest challenge throughout most of my years as county commissioner has been the task of improving the county’s economy.
We have finally begun to have some success now that the Great Recession is over and the national economy is doing so well.
One accomplishment that I’m most excited about is the arrival of Makin Metals to Clearfield County.
Makin Metals is a company based in the United Kingdom that has agreed to open its first North American manufacturing operation in Clearfield County as the result of a strong effort by the county and Clearly Ahead.
It will not only bring good jobs to Clearfield County, but also will also enhance the regional powdered metals industry resulting in a positive economic impact for all.
Another of our initiatives is our partnering with the Pennsylvania State University in establishing the LaunchBox Program.
This program is designed to stimulate entrepreneurship throughout the county. It is our hope that this program will not only enhance existing small businesses, but also be the inspiration and vehicle for the creation of many more of the same. I am feeling very positive about it.
I do have to say that our efforts seem to be working. Clearfield County’s unemployment rate stands at 4.2 percent. That’s the lowest that it’s been in a decade. Pennsylvania’s rate is only slightly lower at 3.9 percent.
The new challenge is to develop a workforce to fill the jobs being created. That is a task to which I hope to apply myself if re-elected to another term.
8. How would you fight the drug epidemic currently facing the county? How would you reduce costs, specifically in relation to the operations of the county jail?
The fight against the drug epidemic facing the county is one that must be embraced by our entire county community. Clearfield County Government can’t win it alone.
We need the help of our churches, schools, service clubs as well as our everyday citizens, all of whom can do their part.
However, there are steps that county government can take, and I would urge that we continue on with the same.
As you readers probably know, Clearfield County has brought a lawsuit against the big pharmaceutical companies for the millions of dollars of damage done to the county because of their alleged deceptive practices that have allegedly been the biggest reason for the nation’s opioid crisis.
If successful, it is my hope that we can use the proceeds realized to enhance treatment and rehabilitation of our citizens caught in the cycle of addiction currently being done by our associated drug and alcohol treatment agencies and medical facilities.
Granted, there may have to be a punishment and supervision component initially. However, treatment combined with employment training would attack many of the root causes for the addiction.
Rehabilitation and employment can bring self-esteem and responsibility. Currently, there are many new federal dollars being made available for job training for folks struggling with addiction.
However, a different approach needs to be taken with a drug dealer who preys upon those with addiction issues and other individuals who are convicted of serious crimes associated with the drug trade.
Those individuals need to be given lengthy prison sentences in the state penal system where they will be taken off our county streets and the burden of paying for their keep and medical care will be taken off of the backs of the county taxpayers. That burden has become insufferable.
We have to win the fight against the methamphetamine and opioid crisis gripping the county. It’s tearing at the fabric of our local society. Our county could lose its soul if we fail.
As for the jail, the county is taking steps to reduce costs as best it can. Overflow inmates are being housed in the Jefferson County Jail at a rate of $55 per day instead of the rate of $65 – $70 per day that it costs to house inmates in Clearfield County.
As it is the number of county inmates and not location of county inmates that drives costs, this does reduce the cost to the taxpayer.
One step that I believe that the county can take to reduce costs is to improve the jail’s work release program. Participating inmates would reimburse the county for the costs of their stay. Any increase in the same would save taxpayer dollars.
Finally, I believe that there’s merit to consider establishing a county drug court. Every county around Clearfield County has a drug court or participates in a regional drug court.
It would not only potentially reduce the number of inmates at the county jail, but also be a weapon in the fight against the drug crisis.
9. If elected, what would be your top priority as Clearfield County Commissioner?
If re-elected, I would have two top priorities. First, I would continue to work to enhance our improving economy and develop the workforce to support it. Secondly, I would also fight the new challenge of the drug crisis faced by the county as outlined above.
10. What are the greatest challenges facing Clearfield County? If elected, what measures would you propose to resolve them?
I believe the greatest challenges faced by the county are the same as the two priorities I listed in No. 9. If elected, I would propose to deal with the same in the manner outlined in No. 7 and 8.