Rodgers, Moscato still pushing for

Tony Moscato

Additional meetings will be scheduled in the coming weeks to educate the public on the sweeping home rule charter proposal, according to the Cameron County Board of Commissioners.

With two of the three commissioners opting not to seek re-election, the board would like to leave as its legacy the revolutionary change in local government. However, the consolidation plan faces an uphill battle.

One of the departing board members, Patrick Rodgers, is convinced a radical solution is

necessary to rescue Cameron C o u n t y from a worsening f i n a n c i a l plight.

"We are going to have to do something," R o d g e r s told the

Bradford Era. "The cost of county government has increased immensely and there is just so much you can do with a clear conscience in raising people's taxes."

The plan will go nowhere unless Cameron County voters approve it in November. However, each township board of supervisors and borough council in the county must first agree to place the question on the ballot.

"For a small county, we need to think of ourselves as neighbors," Rodgers said. "We are all in this together. If we can provide the services countywide and save money, everybody will benefit."

Pat Rodgers

Commissioner Tony Moscato said he was disappointed the ballot issue wasn't approved for the Primary Election this May. He agreed that citizens need to become better informed about the proposal before casting votes.

Moscato also pointed out that citizens may look more favorably on the plan once they've learned more about its economics.

If voters approve the plan and other elements fall into place, the new form of government could take effect as early as January 2010.

A nine-member governing body would be elected, consisting of one representative from each of seven voting districts and two at-large. The voting districts would be based on population.

An initial plan calls for Driftwood Borough, Grove Township and Gibson Township to form one district. Lumber and Portage townships would become a voting district. Emporium Borough and Shippen Township would be divided to create the other five districts. Starting salaries of governing body members would be $2,500 annually.

Five countywide offices would be filled by voters: district attorney, sheriff, treasurer, coroner and a combination prothonotary, clerk of courts, register of wills and recorder of deeds.

The following offices would be abolished: county commissioner, township supervisor, tax collector, borough council member, mayor, tax collector, county auditor, borough and township auditor and jury commissioner.

Members of the governing body would appoint a county manager, chief of police, director of public works, chief assessor, chief clerk and solicitor.