1. Provide a brief professional and personal background
In the early 1980’s, I had two years of sales experience and one-year as the computer operator while working for Clearfield Hardware.
When the hardware store owner announced that they were closing, I applied and accepted a positon with Central Pennsylvania Community Action Inc., as a clerk typist.
I quickly worked my way through the ranks, to intake worker, assistant weatherization director, computer department manager, to manager of planning.
Over my 22 years of tenure, I acquired many certifications from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Human Services.
In 2008, I made a shift in my career, and started working for the county as the community development specialist. My duties included working with local municipalities, writing grants and administering the Community Development Block Grant.
After two years, the commissioners charged me with coordinating the County Human Services Plan. I have grown in this position and gained knowledge of the how the county departments are structured and what their needs are.
In addition, I have assisted many county municipalities and organizations in developing housing, infrastructure, blight management and human services programs.
I have the ability to work well with a team, and also as a team leader, as many of these projects are successfully completed alongside municipal leaders.
I am a life-long resident of Clearfield County, having grown up in Clearfield Borough and graduated from the Clearfield Area High School in 1981.
My husband Kenneth Kovalick Jr. and I purchased his grandparents’ home in Lecontes Mills. We share 35 years of marriage, have three adult daughters and two beautiful grandsons.
2. Why did you choose to run for the office Clearfield County Commissioner?
Simply put, “I Love This County” and I want to make it a safe, healthy and thriving county for everyone! If not me, who?
3. What qualifies you to serve in the capacity of Clearfield County Commissioner?
I know the lay of our county and the persona of its beautiful communities. My past work experience with human services, community development, criminal justice advisory board and grant writing have all given me the insight and experience to serve people.
Furthermore, I understand the commitment it takes to be a successful leader and have dedicated and continue to dedicate much time to the growth of Clearfield County.
I serve on the commonwealth’s Community Development and Housing Advisory Board and the board of directors for the Clearfield County Housing Authority, the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging and the Clearfield Revitalization Corp.
Lastly, I have cultivated trusting relationships with state and federal government agencies including; Pennsylvania Departments of Community and Economic Development, Conservation & Natural Resources, Health & Human Services, Environmental Protection and Agriculture, and federal departments including the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture and Justice.
4. Do you feel that the county is transparent enough? If not, what needs to change?
Yes. The county offers transparency of the commissioners’ meetings in two ways. First, the public is always welcome to attend commissioners’ meetings. Secondly, all meeting minutes can be found on the county’s Web site at www.clearfieldco.org.
Other methods of transparency are public meeting notices for programs and services that are publicized through all sources of media to make citizens aware of the happenings in the county.
If and when I am elected to serve as your county commissioner, I will review transparency, and if need be, at that time I will address any issues found.
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 outlying are of the county?
Listening and reaching out to people are not hard things. For me, it comes naturally. Walking along the street on my way into the office, if pass someone, I speak to them.
Communication is one of the most important skills a leader can have. The ability to listen, truly listen to someone’s concerns, and then respond appropriately, is a positive attribute for leaders.
Relationships are formed out of trust, honor and respect for one another. As an elected official, I will be a full-time commissioner, and I will communicate with all groups and citizens of the county. I will serve the people of this county with an open door. As I see it, the Commissioner’s Office is an office of and for the people.
As for reaching out to the outlying areas, I do not plan on sitting behind a desk 24/7. I will be out in the communities, working with county leaders and staff, attending gatherings, meetings, seminars and conferences. I am an approachable person, so if I do not reach out to you, and you need me, let me know.
6. If elected, what measures would you take to ensure the efficient operation of Clearfield County?
To me, it is important to know how each department of our county is operating. One of the first measures I will implement is one-on-one department head meetings, along with meetings of our elected officials.
As mentioned before, communication is key and important. I want to hear from our leaders and managers, understand the challenges they are facing and assist them with resolving immediate issues. I will be in the field with county staff to understand what they are facing and to ensure efficient operations.
7. If elected, what measures would you take to generate economic development opportunities for Clearfield County?
I have a great deal of respect for the individuals who are working day-in and day-out to help generate more economic development for the county.
Once again, my approach will be hands-on with our economic and industrial development folks; this will help to give a better understanding the trials they face.
Our small businesses must not and cannot be overlooked. I favor fostering small businesses into our county. I have seen first-hand in our surrounding counties, how a small business of five employees has grown into a thriving business over a few short years and now has 25 employees.
I calculate that as four small business creating 20 jobs, then prospering into the creation of 100 jobs!
Workforce development is needed for trades that are here in our county as well as neighboring counties. It is my understanding from our economic development leaders that we have jobs. We lack workforce and we must create affordable training options for our people.
Lastly, we have to reinvest in our communities to make them vibrant. A report for the Workforce Solutions for North Central PA has confirmed that indeed blight has an effect on the creation of economic development.
Companies that are relocating are carefully taking into accord what a community has to offer their employees, such as housing, recreation and education.
8. How would you fight the drug epidemic currently facing the county? How would you reduce costs, specifically in relations to the operations of the count jail?
Some say that drugs have been around since the 1970’s and that this epidemic is nothing new. I beg to differ. In my 56 years of life, I have never seen the effects of drugs hit this nation or our county so destructively.
I know that this epidemic is not going to go away for a long time, and I look to our professionals to address the needs of those individuals using drugs.
Addiction is an illness, and it is a long road to recovery. However, it possible to recover from addiction, and I have a great deal of respect for those who have reached sobriety.
For a long time, our Drug and Alcohol Commission could not meet the needs, due to lack of funding. Thankfully, today our government is addressing the funding issue, and there is a way out for those facing addiction.
To that, I support our D&A Commission of Clearfield and Jefferson Counties and encourage outreach.
The holistic approach, however, is addressing the challenges that our communities and families face. More prevention methods and best practices need to be implemented with our children and families.
The county jail faces many challenges today. We have overcrowding, rising medical costs, lack of workforce and an aging facility.
Some of the best practices across the commonwealth for overcrowding jails include: house arrest, work release, drug court and mental health court.
I am not opposed to researching these practices with our criminal justice leaders to see if any of them would be viable solutions for our situation.
As for our workforce, the county has to implement a job fair to invite professional and competent corrections officers into our county. As a last resort, I would entertain a feasibility study to explore these challenges.
9. If elected, what would be your top priority as Clearfield County Commissioner?
My priority would be bringing this county back together. Over the last 10 years, I feel that vital communications between the commissioners’ office and its departments are not being carried out.
As elected officials and public workers, we are servants of the people. We should be able to give them the best!
Likewise, every borough, city, township and village is a part of Clearfield County. If we all work together, we can soar into the future with growth and development.
I have not met a community that was not worthy of my attention during my tenure here at Clearfield County. If I can help one, I can help all.
10. What are the greatest challenges facing Clearfield County? If elected, what measures would you propose to resolve them?
Challenge 1 is the creation of decent-paying jobs with benefits that will help our families and offer a place for our youth to come back to.
The resolution is working side-by-side with economic development folks, marketing our beautiful county to manufacturers. We have to work on creating a friendly and equipped location for small business.
Challenge 2 is addressing blight.
The resolution is that as a county, we can work with our communities to address this issue and assist them with tools and funding options to assist with making our communities and neighborhood vibrant. There are many best practices on this issue that can easily be implanted here in our county.