CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners heard concerns involving a local economic development corporation and its leader from Clearfield resident and business owner Fred Weaver during Tuesday’s meeting.
Weaver read a statement expressing his concerns regarding the county’s contract with Clearly Ahead Development, particularly in light of a disagreement between Clearly Ahead Chief Executive Officer, Rob Swales, and resident Joe Marino.
The referenced encounter, which reportedly took place at the Toasted Monkey in Hyde in August, resulted in Swales being cited for harassment and disorderly conduct. Weaver stated that the argument was instigated by Swales, and that Marino was not implicated in the incident.
Weaver said Swales’ attack was based on Marino’s voiced opposition to commercial development of the $5 million Clearfield Riverwalk project.
Both Weaver and Marino have publicly expressed their disagreement to the commercial development of a project funded by government grant money, or in Weaver’s words, “taxpayer money,” that he believes will take tenants from existing storefront properties in Clearfield, as well as limit prospects for already vacant sites downtown.
Weaver also noted in his address that agents from Clearly Ahead are even “poaching” local business tenants for the proposed new facilities that include a hotel on the former Tool Shed property and a restaurant/office building on the east side of the river along Water Street.
Weaver asked the commissioners to reevaluate and justify the $180,000 he understood the county pays to Clearly Ahead Development per year for the last five years. He also urged the commissioners to cancel the county’s contract with Clearly Ahead Development, and to put pressure on the Clearly Ahead board of directors to remove Swales as CEO.
Commissioner Chairwoman Joan Robinson-McMillen said the county is just beginning 2016 budget hearings, but will evaluate the county’s contract with Clearly Ahead when it comes up in the budget hearings. She later noted the county is under annual contract with Clearly Ahead and pays $160,000 annually.
Robinson-McMillen also represents the commissioners on the board of directors for Clearly Ahead. The commissioners agreed to address the issue with the board.
In other business, the commissioners honored four county 911 dispatchers who were working Sept. 22 and received a call for a homicide and domestic violence in DuBois.
Robinson-McMillen said the staff worked as a team to determine the location of the incident and to dispatch emergency services correctly. Honored in the presentation were Jim Jackson, Alicia Neeper, Javon Howell and Tyler Hensal.
The commissioners also passed a resolution proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Marsha Learish, executive director of the Crossroads, spoke to the commissioners about the Crossroads program and problems of domestic violence.
The commissioners are asking that anyone interested in filling a vacancy on the Curwensville Lake Authority please contact the commissioners’ office by Oct. 16.
