Residents have right to vote

To the editor:

One of the questions concerning the consolidation effort has been, "How will this help the residents in the entire county by having a single government working out of the courthouse?"

First, it unites our thinking and concern for the entire community of Cameron County and its people. Secondly, it has representation for all areas at this location.

For a county with a dwindling population of 5,500 people, the need for several duplicating layers of services/ governments no longer exists.

The nine elected members of the new, single consolidated government will have the County/2nd Class Township advantage in the Home Rule Charter, and be overseeing this unified county community.

Town names will remain the same for mail and 911/Emergency Management locations, but the pride is in the people and beauty of our county.

Taxes will be reduced, road maintenance and other services will continue as usual, and you'll still pay for refuse pickup separately.

Besides the savings on the elimination of the tax collection commission (approximately $100,000 annually), residents will have the advantage of the unified approach in seeking grants for county projects (sewage treatment plant, Driftwood-Sinnemahoning area, approx. $6 million), and have the skills of the dedicated people who care about the entire county working together for the betterment of this new Cameron County.

This CAN happen, and we all need to be a part of this new chapter in state governmental history.

Who is going to be the elected official who refuses the people the right to vote?

Pat Rodgers Commissioner Cameron County