COUNTY NEEDS REPRESENTATIVES
Commissioners seek people to 'stand up' for county
By Travis Moshier Endeavor News

The Potter County Commissioners are looking for industry and local government leaders interested in representing the county on a regional agency that decides how millions of dollars are spent each year for highways, job training, economic development and other projects.

They put out for and made appointments to the Northcentral Pa. Regional Planning and Development Commission during Thursday's business meeting.

Board Chairman Doug Morley was appointed to the executive at Northcentral, where Morley has been playing an influential role for several years. Commissioner Paul Heimel was appointed to the commission's full board.

Commissioner Susan Kefover, who was absent due to illness, was appointed to the Workforce Investment Board, administered by Northcentral, and Helene Nawrocki of the Potter County Education Council was appointed to serve for Education/Workforce Development.

Morley said there is a vacancy for a public official representative. The representative could be from any township or borough within the county. He said there is also a vacancy for an industrial representative to succeed Ken Leiberman, who represented Potter County in recent years.

The two representatives would have to commit to attending the meetings, which are held monthly in Ridgway, and put in the time so that their voices and opinions are heard, Morley said.

"Everything I hear is that it is very important for a county to stand up for itself when competing for limited resources," Heimel said, in reference to Northcentral's operations.

In another matter, the commissioners amended the county's contract with Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC, the single county auditors. Changes in accounting rules will require the firm to expand its scope of review for the county's 2007 finances, resulting in additional costs to the county estimated between $6,800 and $10,200, Morley explained.

The contract with Z-A was also extended through 2011, with 2008's costs remaining in line with the amended 2007 contract and a three-percent increase for the next three years.

In a related vote, the commissioners agreed to contract with a consulting firm, Susquehanna Group Advisors, to provide technical accounting assistance and advice in streamlining and realigning county financial management practices.

The board also approved the purchase of two computers and accessories for the commissioners' office.

Heimel explained that officials are looking into upgrading the county's technology policies by purchasing computers in bulk, setting up an intranet and upgrading the county's public website.

A Veterans Administration outreach fair at the Coudersport American Legion brought in 19 new enrollments.

Joe Becker, the county's director of veterans affairs, said the new numbers could influence the possibility of opening a VA facility closer to Potter County than Bath, N.Y.

The board appointed Karl Lang of Coudersport and Dale Erway of Genesee to the Potter County Hospital Authority; Phil Lehman of Ulysses to the Potter County Conservation District and named former commissioner Roy Thompson as chair of the county's Farmland Preservation Board.

The board also appointed former commissioner Catherine Bowers to the Potter County Human Services advisory board, per the recommendation of Human Service Administrator Jim Kockler. Commissioner Kefover was also appointed to the advisory board as well as the Human Service's aging advisory board.

Heimel announced that the board had a meeting with the five school superintendents in the county. Each has offered the use of schools for commissioners' town meetings, which could start as early as April.

The superintendents were also receptive to a long-range plan of aligning curriculum and guidance activities the economic and job development goals of the county. Heimel said that the goals are still being formed.

"The door has been opened for the communication between the county and schools," Heimel said.

The county budget, which was set by the former commissioners and reopened by the current commissioners, was scheduled to close Friday, Feb. 1, and made available for public review before formal adoption later this month. Morley explained that there were minimal changes.

Heimel pointed out that there was no change in taxes.