GantDaily asked questions of all of the candidates running for Clearfield County commissioner on the primary ballot. The answers of those who responded are listed below.
All of the candidates were asked to provide the same information and were given the same questions to answer.
Clearfield County’s incumbent commissioners are Mark B. McCracken and Rex D. Read, both Democrats, and Mike Lytle, Republican. Lytle is not running for re-election this year. All three seats will be filled following the November election.
The information for all candidates is listed below with information from incumbents first. The remainder of the candidates follow in alphabetical order.
Name: Mark B. McCracken (I)
Party Affiliation: Democratic Candidate for County Commissioner
Town of Residence: Clearfield (Lawrence Township)
Background: Lifelong resident of Clearfield County. Graduated from Clearfield Area High School in 1981. Attended ICM School of Business in Pittsburgh and completed Computer Programming and Technology program. Employed from 1983-1988 at the NARCO Engineering Center in Curwensville. Employed from 1988-2004 as MIS Director for Clearfield County Government. Served on the Clearfield Area School District, Board of Directors from 1993-2003. Currently resides in Lawrence Township with wife, Kelly, and daughter, Amanda.
Name: Rex D. Read (I)
Party Affiliation: Democratic
Town of Residence: Lawrence Township
Background: I am a 1971 graduate of Clearfield Area High School and a 1977 graduate of Penn State DuBois. I am an active member of the Pine Grove Bethel Presbyterian Church. My wife Claudia and I have been married 29 years and are the parents of two daughters Marjorie and Rebecca. I currently serve as vice-chairman of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, treasurer of the Clearfield/Jefferson Heroin Task Force and board member of the Clearfield County Conservation District.
Name: J. Barry Abbott Sr.
Party Affiliation: Republican
Town of Residence: DuBois
Background: Born March 26, 1951, in Philipsburg, I am the second son of the late William E. and Margaret Abbott. My wife, Karen, worked at the Clearfield Hospital as a registered nurse for 30 years and is currently employed as a registered nurse at the DuBois Regional Medical Center. My children include John Jr. and his wife, Tricia; twins, Paiton and Paige; son Colin; Ryan and his fiancée, Rachel McShane; Shannon and her husband, Kurt Kellgren; son Tyler; and one to be announced.
I graduated from Philipsburg-Osceola (’69 academic degree), Clarion University (’73 bachelor of science in education), Penn State University (’73 master’s degree in education administration), and St. Bonaventure (’78 elementary and secondary principalship).
I am an educator, a small business owner, and a member of the Treasure Lake Board of Directors. Also, I am a past president of the Moshannon Valley YMCA and former auditor of the PSADA state athletic directors association.
Name: Samuel F. Carr
Party Affiliation: Republican
Town of Residence: Morrisdale RD
Background: Born and raised on a farm in Graham Township, Clearfield County, where my wife, the former Gretchen Hauck, and I currently live. We have three grown children and three grandchildren. My education includes Morris Township High School, Penn State University and Purdue University. I spent 35 years in the equipment industry with 30 years in management positions. This included entry-level positions to a vice presidency. I am currently a township supervisor. My experience includes working within budget guidelines, accomplishing objectives and managing staffs. I have served on the boards of national organizations and I am currently a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
Name: Larry Lynn Garner
Party Affiliation: Republican
Town of Residence La Jose in Chest Township
Background: I attended Hollidaysburg Area High School and now work as a driver. My family includes my wife, Karen Lee Garner, and daughter, Victoria Lynn Garner.
Name: Sharon Josefik
Party Affiliation: Republican
Town of Residence: Cooper Township
Background: Sharon Josefik currently serves as chairman of the Cooper Township Municipal Authority, the Cooper Township Planning Commission and is the secretary and a member of the Central Counties Concerned Sportsmen’s Club. She is serving her third term on the Clearfield County Republican Committee.
Josefik participated in the Clearfield County Strategic Planning Commission Roundtable. She also served as a West Branch School Board member and on the Clearfield County Career and Technology Center board. She has served as executive secretary to the executive board of the Clearfield County Republican Headquarters and served as an appointee supervisor for Cooper Township. While with CCCS, she worked with many county and state agencies.
GantDaily Editor’s Note: Josefik returned her answers to GantDaily’s questions via fax May 8 at 3:56 p.m. Candidates who had not responded by May 4 were contacted. Josefik was not able to be reached.
Name: Joan Robinson McMillen
Party Affiliation: Republican
Town of Residence: Clearfield
Background: Joan Robinson McMillen, her husband, Kevin, and their 7- year-old son, Harrison, reside in Clearfield. Joan was born and raised in Clearfield and is the daughter of Belber and Jacqueline Robinson of State College, formerly of Clearfield. She is a 1975 graduate of Clearfield Area High School and a 1980 graduate of Susquehanna University where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in Sociology and Anthropology. Joan is currently the Marketing Coordinator for the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Inc.
Name: Bill Rishel
Party Affiliation: Republican
Town of Residence: Curwensville
Background: In 1962, I graduated from Clearfield Area High School. Like so many young people from that era, I had to leave the area to find a decent paying job. For 35 years, I worked in the Washington, D.C., area as a manager of the service departments of large automobile dealerships. I also owned and operated an auto body repair shop. While I had a good career, I always regretted the fact I couldn’t raise my family in Clearfield County. It was always a dream to be able to return home. In 2004, I retired from my career and relocated to Curwensville. Most of my family of four sisters and two brothers still live in the area. It’s good to be back home! Now I would like to use my business experience to help attract good paying jobs to Clearfield County so today’s high school graduates will not have to leave to find work.
Name: John A. Sobel
Party Affiliation: Republican
Town of Residence: Clearfield (Lawrence Township)
Background: I graduated in 1971 from Clearfield High School as valedictorian. I later graduated summa cum laude, phi beta kappa, from Vanderbilt University in 1975 and earned a law degree from the Dickinson School of Law in 1979. I have served as law clerk to the honorable judges John K. Reilly Jr. and John Cherry. My private practice in law began in 1980, and I have been a partner in the firm of Sobel and Collins since 1983. During my years of practice, I have served as solicitor for Children and Youth Services, public defender and solicitor for the register and recorder’s office under Michael Lytle. I have also represented 10 townships, boroughs and municipal authorities. My outside activities include service as a Clearfield Area School Board director, Clearfield YMCA director, Red Cross director and member of the Bilger’s Rocks Association. I worship at the Presbyterian Church of Clearfield where I have served as an elder. I reside in Clearfield and have one daughter, Johnna, age 14, at home.
GantDaily asked the same three questions of each candidate. Their answers, as submitted, appear below. There was no word limit on the submissions. The question is listed first, then the answer provided by each candidate. The candidates’ answers are listed in the same order as above.
QUESTION 1: What experience do you have that would make you a good candidate for county commissioner?
McCracken: My combination of experience working in county government for 16 years as MIS director and since 2004 serving as county commissioner give me an in depth knowledge of the daily operations of county government. I currently serve in the following boards, Central Pennsylvania Community Action, Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Clearfield County Economic Development Corp. and Clearfield County Recreation and Tourism Authority. I also serve on a statewide level with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania on the executive board and as Chairman of the Technology Committee.
Read: I have over 25 years of business experience and have successfully managed multi-million dollar retail operations. The last three years I have been a Clearfield County commissioner.
The position of commissioner is not unlike that of a business manager. Issues are constantly changing and one must have the ability to multi-task and prioritize issues to be able to keep things moving in a positive direction.
I have a successful track record of providing responsible fiscal and common sense leadership in both the private sector and as commissioner.
Abbott: First, I have seven bulleted items that outline where our county must be headed toward in order to be functional no only for today, but for the future as well.
• It is my goal to unify the county one community at a time and to break down barriers that have separated communities within our county for years. Bridging the mountains and valleys of our county will be a constant theme in my campaign for Clearfield County commissioner
• I want to be a visionary commissioner who has an eye for the future as well as tackling problems of the day.
• I want our infrastructure commodity ready
• I want our roads, I-80; railroad and rail sidings; and of significant importance, a link to I-99 and south, Corridor “O” accessible for commercial and tourism traffic
• I want each mayor, borough and township manager, general manager, and supervisor along with each citizen have a voice in the future direction Clearfield County is headed. Brainstorming sessions, creating positive programs and ideas for the future is of extreme importance.
• Our county must be attuned to the needs of our towns and villages water supply and make sure we have fast reacting response teams if an accident occurs.
• We need to make sure our two prominent hospitals stay open and serve the people of Clearfield County and are readily accessible. Our emergency response units, fire departments and police force need to be continually updated on the latest emergency management equipment and response gear.
• Say NO to landfills that want to come to our county
• Say YES to businesses wanting to expand or relocate to our county.
Carr: My management experience, which includes the managing of department personnel and working with peers and subordinates, as well as interfacing with personnel in other departments, companies and volunteer organizations.
My engineering experience with short- and long-term planning, and tracking projects from conception to completion, while monitoring budget requirements.
Garner: My experience includes merchandising, distribution, marketing, sales and account manager for Keystone Coca-Cola. I was self-employed as an independent contractor for seven years, and now I am currently employed by Ollinger Brothers Inc. in Altoona. I have a firm conservative viewpoint on government. I strongly believe that people need to be responsible for their own actions and that government interference in the private sector is intolerable.
Josefik: As the ex-director of a $15 million dollar authority, I manage and oversee the daily operations to maintain a fiscally secure company that serves approximately 1,400 residents and small businesses.
I work frequently with local, county, state and federal agencies to provide safe water and to find the best sources to upgrade our system in both water and sewer.
It’s an ongoing task to find funding to provide the best way to serve our customers’ needs and to keep up with all the new policies and guidelines that we must comply with.
As a member of the Cooper Township Planning Commission, I have had the opportunity to work with our county planning commission with land developers, engineers and property owners, planning and working on subdivisions in Cooper Township.
McMillen: As Clearfield County commissioner, I will bring the following experiences. I have business experience through my family’s business, Robinson’s Men Shop. I have experience in grant procurement and writing programs as I co-wrote the Adoption Program and assisted in procuring it’s licensing for the Children’s Aid Society in Clearfield. I have experience in the criminal justice field through my time as a Clearfield County probation officer. I will also bring experience with social services through my years as a care manager with the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Inc.
Government and budgeting are part of my duties during my current term on Clearfield Borough Council. I am presently chairperson of the Planning and Community Development Committee and on the Clearfield Riverwalk Steering Committee.
Most importantly, I have experience in marketing and fundraising with my current position as marketing coordinator of the Area Agency on Aging. During my time at the agency, I have tripled the profits of the Anne S. Thacik Charity Auction, the agency’s main fundraising event.
Rishel: I have over 35 successful years in business management. Within that period I owned and managed three successful businesses.
• With my business experience I understand the importance of maintaining a balanced budget and eliminating wasteful spending.
• Promptly address critical issues and work with others to find positive solutions that will bring prosperity to our county.
• Understanding the importance of good communication between government officials and agencies and the people and businesses that I will be representing.
As your commissioner, I will put the same efforts and used my vast areas of expertise to move Clearfield County Forward. I have been to all four corners of the county talking with citizens about their areas and as your commissioner I will return.
Sobel: I have held several part-time solicitorships for Clearfield County government since 1980. They have given me a familiarity with the local judiciary as well as several county departments that make up a large portion of the county’s budget.
As public defender, I was also responsible for preparing a sizeable budget and managing a county department with an average staff of four to six attorneys.
I have a great deal of direct experience from the aforesaid in dealing with the twin problems of illegal drugs and child abuse that plague Clearfield County’s children. Hopefully, I’ve learned some valuable lessons in how to deal with these problems.
As a solicitor for many municipalities, I believe I’ve developed an ability to reach out to all of our local governmental officials and work with them. This also causes me to be familiar with many areas of Clearfield County.
Finally, as a small business owner, I understand the need for a stable economy. My income rises or falls with the state of the county’s prosperity.
QUESTION 2: In what areas do you see Clearfield County as being most in need?
McCracken: Clearfield County has struggled over the last 20 years as we lost many industries and jobs. While there was some progress made in the ‘90s when the Wal-Mart Distribution Center and SCI Houtzdale came to the county, industries that would give Clearfield County an identity were missing.
Now, with the work that has been done to bring two ethanol refineries and an electric co-generation plant to the area we will be a leader in domestically produced alternative fuels and energy. The next challenge will be to capitalize on the enormous potential from other businesses directly associated with alternative fuels and bring them to Clearfield County.
Clearfield County is also dealing with increasing inmate population at the county jail. For the first time, we have to regularly house county inmates at out-of-county locations. The increase in inmate population is directly associated with the increase in drug-related crimes. The entire county, from law enforcement to the average citizen, will have to deal with all the complex issues surrounding drug use. People will need treatment and families will suffer because of drug addictions. The increase in drug related crimes has a huge monetary cost that impacts county government on many levels.
Read: There is a difference between the areas of greatest need for the county and the areas of greatest need that the commissioners have direct control and responsibility over within the county.
There is no doubt that job creation and retention are at the top of the county’s “needs” list. Economic development and jobs go hand-in-hand, and in recent decades the county has lost more than it has gained.
Did the Commissioners pass NAFTA? No. Did the commissioners let many high-paying jobs leave the county? No. Are we left to work with what is left? Yes.
Commissioners don’t create jobs. The private sector creates jobs. Commissioners can and must play a roll in economic development but not the driving roll. That belongs to the economic development experts and the private sector. Commissioners are a support mechanism for development not the engine. We must work with the development experts, who in turn work closely with the private sector, who, in turn, create the jobs. Commissioners must work with federal and state officials to pursue funding to help promote development.
The last three years, the commissioners have been successful in this type of support roll. With two ethanol plants and a power plant ready to pour over $500,000,000 into Clearfield County, we are on the verge of great things in the county.
This is all being accomplished because of the cooperation from and between all levels of government. Continued cooperation may be the most important need in the county.
Abbott: First, I have outlined in seven bulleted items where our county must be headed toward in order to be functional no only for today, but for the future as well.
• It is my goal to unify the county one community at a time and to break down barriers that have separated communities within our county for years. Bridging the mountains and valleys of our county will be a constant theme in my campaign for Clearfield County Commissioner
• I want to be a visionary commissioner who has an eye for the future as well as tackling problems of the day.
• I want our infrastructure commodity ready
• I want our roads, I-80; railroad and rail sidings; and of significant importance, a link to I-99 and south, Corridor “O” accessible for commercial and tourism traffic
• I want each mayor, borough and township manager, general manager, and supervisors, along with each citizen, have a voice in the future direction Clearfield County is headed. Brainstorming sessions, creating positive programs and ideas for the future is of extreme importance.
• Our county must be attuned to the needs of our towns and villages water supply and make sure we have fast reacting response teams if an accident occurs.
• We need to make sure our two prominent hospitals stay open and serve the people of Clearfield County and are readily accessible. Our emergency response units, fire departments and police force need to be continually updated on the latest emergency management equipment and response gear.
• Say NO to landfills that want to come to our county
• Say YES to businesses wanting to expand or relocate to our county.
Second, our county must be ready for growth. In order for our towns and villages to grow, we must respond to major issues that need addressed in a straight forward manner. We must realize that our boroughs are landlocked and that our municipalities’ tax base is getting older. Regional cooperation, merging, sharing of equipment, joint grant writing are just a few of my suggestions.
Finally, Clearfield County needs to set goals for economic growth and improve our family sustaining jobs.
My first goal is get the entire county involved in economic growth. Each mayor, township supervisor and general manager must take an active role in this development.
Our county needs to be attuned to the economic development and growth that our cities, towns, villages, and municipalities want and need. We in Clearfield County need to be ready to offer financing, tax management, training, and infrastructure to nurture companies and businesses that might want to relocate, expand, or build in our region. We need to have our major resource — the people — educated and trained to handle job growth and the job opportunities that come with growth.
We need to have our roads and our interstate prepared to carry our commodities. Our rail system and rail sidings need to be ready to haul, receive and deliver our goods. We need access to a north-south corridor for commercial and tourism traffic.
We need the assistance of all the leaders in Clearfield County to brainstorm, create positive programs and think toward the future of our county’s development. We need to take a proactive approach to our future development, not a reactive approach.
Economic zones or a “Regional Council” needs to be developed and/or expanded. An authority (“Regional Council”) needs to be advanced with the power to promote, develop, encourage and assist in acquiring, constructing, reconstructing, and equipping business sites.
We need to revise the laws that govern municipalities so they (the municipalities) have the ability to share resources with neighboring townships and communities
These archaic laws need revised to support cooperation and foster positive relationships among neighboring boroughs, townships, villages and private communities across our county.
Finally, I would work with state agencies to make sure we do not lose sight of what we have now. We need to better market ourselves and gain knowledge into exactly what Clearfield County must do to outshine the other 66 counties for tourism and business dollars. Joint cooperation equals joint benefits.
My mission would be to encourage community and county prosperity, opportunity and economic growth.
Carr: The areas that appear to require the most immediate attention is the method of handling major issues, whereby there appears to have been a lack of normal sequence of processing in decision-making. I believe there was a lack of attention to laws and requirements that apply to land use and land management enacted by other government bodies. It would appear that this information has not been provided to townships, municipalities and residents in a clear, understandable fashion. There is also a need for the pursuit of an economy stimulator.
Garner: Clearfield County is not alone in this comment. We need leadership that is not afraid to take a stance on an issue whether it is popular or not. There are two sides to every issue and to jump on the popular one is not leadership. Jobs are the most talked about concerns at every event I attended since announcing my candidacy for commissioner. But everyone is disallowing the consideration of the landfill issue as being detrimental development. I have attended one of these anti-landfill meetings at the Clearfield fire hall, and only about 130 citizens took the time to investigate what was being presented. There are 83,382 citizens in Clearfield County, and the anti-landfill people claim to be the majority. Another anti-landfill summit in Centre County that was advertised on the Internet, the newspapers and even television only managed to muster 35 citizens to attend out of a potential 219,140 concerned citizens (83,382 Clearfield County, 135,758 Centre County Citizens, 2000 Census). The subject of the landfills cannot be taken lightly but everyone must be informed about each individual circumstance. Not a bunch of bias propaganda. What might be beneficial for one area may be detrimental to another and to say all landfills are bad, or all are good would be irresponsible. Each individual municipality needs to investigate the harms versus the benefits.
While these so called environmentalists are concerned about landfills “garbage juice, dioxins (which are only given off by plastics when burned) and water pollution.” Have any of them stopped to think about the new proposed ethanol plant in Curwensville, which will store up to 2.5 million gallons of potentially explosive material, will produce so many different chemicals that have to be captured or strictly monitored by the DEP to protect human and animal life. Has anyone noticed this facility is going to be built less than 200 yards away from the Curwensville public school that contains our children, our future? Talk about a potential man-made disaster. Accidents do happen. I am not against bio-fuel production but with all our rural land in Clearfield County what political motivation put this potential bomb within a football fields distance of the Curwensville School. I feel the citizens have a right to know.
Josefik: Our larger towns/cities, such as DuBois, are in need of industry that will generate growth in our smaller municipalties. As Clearfield, DuBois, Curwensville, Osceola and Burnside expand with the needed economic development, our smaller municipalities will also grow. We need to work on economic growth outside the Circle of Clearfield Proper if we are to help the small municipalities to economically survive.
We need to work diligently to keep girant landfill companies from dumping out-of-state garbage in Clearfield County, making us the landfill capital of the world. We need to work on a long-term plan to hold everyone accountable to each states’ garbage. Clearfield County has worked very hard to promote tourism; landfills of this magnitude can distort all we have worked for.
I also feel we need a county commissioners extenuation office to be located in DuBois. For too many years, there has been a gap between Clearfield and DuBois, and this needs to change.
McMillen: First and foremost is high paying, high quality and family sustaining jobs.
We are blessed with land that is filled with biomass feed stock for ethanol plants. Cellulosic ethanol production can take advantage of wood chips and former mined land can be planted in switch grass. Curwensville is in the process of becoming home to a corn based ethanol plant. As commissioner, I will facilitate the expansion of alternative energy production.
The transportation industry is a natural for Clearfield County. DuBois is already moving on this idea with their “in-land port.” I will support the intermodal transportation links between truck, rail and air. We also need to support the DuBois-Jefferson County Airport and the Clearfield Airport. High-paying businesses will move into an area that has access to intermodal links.
We are the Gateway to the PA Wilds. We need to encourage small business to build around the PA Wilds. It’s all in the marketing and promotion of what we already have that will put Clearfield County’s PA Wilds on the map.
I will support the expansion of our educational facilities. Clearfield County has DuBois Penn State, Clearfield Lock Haven, Jeff Tech and the DuBois Business College. Look at any prosperous small town; they are centered around higher education facilities. Higher paying jobs are attracted to an educated work force. e need to encourage the integration of our KOZs and business to work in partnership with our local educational facilities. We are not selling buildings. We are selling partnerships in learning.
The future of Clearfield County is dependent upon growth, generating revenue and the leaders working together. I am not running to oversee a downward economic spiral resulting in higher taxes and less services. I am running to make a difference.
Rishel: I believe leadership is one of the most important issues for the future of Clearfield County.
• Good Paying Jobs! This issue has been a need for more years than I care to remember. This issue comes before all public officials. There are several good organizations investing talent, time and money trying to bring new jobs into our county. We all can do our part in helping to create new jobs.
• Partnership! There are many individuals and groups working hard to accomplish this objective. As county commissioner, I will partner and support those people and organizations committed to make Clearfield County more pro-business. A united Clearfield County will make us more attractive to new business and industry.
Sobel: I believe Clearfield County needs a stable economy. Clearfield County citizens should be able to feel that they have numerous opportunities for themselves and their families to make a good life for themselves and to be upwardly mobile. Moreover, a stable economy will cause our young people to stay and will attract others to Clearfield County.
A stagnant economy also breeds a culture of despair that encourages drug abuse and child abuse. These are two very serious issues that our county is struggling with.
Finally, our municipalities and many volunteer fire companies are fighting to meet their obligations in this time of rising costs and lowering income. The duties of government only increase as each year goes by.
QUESTION 3: What do you believe the role of a county commissioner is?
McCracken: There are many important responsibilities associated with being a county commissioner. You have to manage the daily operations of county government inside the courthouse. It is a unique management situation as you have three commissioners working together along with the other county-elected row officers who have the legal authority to manage their individual offices. You also have the president judge with the authority to run the court system. The commissioners must provide steady leadership over all the offices combined with the ability to compromise with each other and the other elected row officers.
Outside of the courthouse, you have to take on many roles. You have to work with government leaders at the municipal, state and federal level to support projects vital to the county. You also have to deal with issues important to the citizens. The term “open door policy” is mentioned a lot by commissioner candidates. It is important to have an open door policy and be available in the office to meet with citizens. But, an open door policy isn’t just people coming in; a county commissioner must be willing to get out of the office and meet the citizens in their communities. The position is a full-time job that requires many extra hours on evenings and weekends to get out and attend important meetings and community events.
Read: The main role of a commissioner is to provide funding to operate the county government. Commissioners must provide leadership and manage various departments that fall directly under their supervision. Among those departments are Elections, Veterans Affairs, Planning, Tax Assessment/Tax Claims, Emergency Management, 911 and Children Youth and Family Services. Commissioners must focus a significant amount of their time into employee relations. Commissioners are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all county buildings.
The commissioners must be able to work closely with commissioners from other counties. Clearfield County provides MH/MR services through a joint agreement with Jefferson County, co-owns a youth detention center along with four other counties and is a member county of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission along with five other counties. Commissioners must be able to look at the needs of the region, not just Clearfield County to work effectively with our partner counties.
The role of a commissioner is to provide responsible fiscal management and common-sense leadership to the County.
Abbott: First and foremost, a good county commissioner must serve the people. A Clearfield County commissioner must listen to their constituents as to the needs of the county. A county commissioner must attend to the needs of and service of county government; whether it is the operations budget, administrating to the county workforce, adopting ordinances, establishing and or discontinuing programs, hiring non-elected officials, setting salaries and wages, making appointments to boards.
A good Clearfield County commissioner must be fair, a good listener, a good front man and a good delegator. A good Clearfield County commissioner must administrate, not micro-manage, the county.
A good commissioner must leave the specific job tasks to the hired professionals within the framework of the county.
Carr: The role of a county commissioner is to make decision and process the normal business of the county while staying current with the events that affect the lifestyle of the county residents and providing those residents with that information. Ways need to be pursued where the quality of life can be improved for the residents of the county. Supporting any worthy endeavors of the county’s townships and boroughs.
Garner: The role of county commissioner is not to promise the voters everything they want to hear while campaigning. The people of Clearfield County need someone to lead the county toward a financially secure future. Promising entitlements, granting every whim and pay raise to the county employees, side-stepping issues and trying to be politically correct aren’t what the citizens of Clearfield deserve. Clearfield County needs someone in the commissioners’ office who is in touch with the working class citizens. Someone who understands what it feels like to work 70 or more hours a week and to come home and read how much money is being spent on feel-good programs. I feel that I am that man, I am a conservative, I have been paying taxes since I was 17 years old, and its time we, the blue-collar workers, get some much-needed representation. I’m not afraid to take a stance on what I believe in, but I’m not so bull-headed not to listen to opposing ideas. I believe by talking to the citizens of Clearfield that they want a person representing them that they can relate to and understands where they come from.
Josefik: I believe the role of county commissioner is to oversee the disbursement of funds. I also believe that a county commissioner must be a full-time commissioner that serves to promote all of Clearfield County. As a county commissioner, I will work to the best of my ability to promote the economic growth of our county by using all the necessary resources that are available.
McMillen: The county commissioner is the CEO of all the county’s functions.
As CEO, you are ultimately accountable for all departments of the county including a budget of over $15 million. The buck stops at the commissioners’ office.
The commissioners’ role is to develop a vision of what Clearfield County could look like in the future, and to build coalitions to implement the plan. I have a vision for:
• A county with an educated workforce
• A county that is a leader in alternative fuel production
• A county as “The Gateway to the PA Wilds”
• A county with infrastructure that can compete as a transportation and logistical hub
• A county making the transition to a knowledge based 21st century economy
Will our children be a low paid work force competing with China and India or a highly educated work force of scientist, engineers, and technicians working locally in the industries of the future?
I believe Clearfield County has a bright future if we seize the opportunities before us.
Rishel:
• Full-time leadership!
• As a full-time county commissioner, I will work with our 51 municipalities to help them grow their community. Modern infrastructure is important in attracting new business and industry.
• Promoting our natural resources such as tourism, hunting, fishing, hiking and camping will help leverage new investments and make Clearfield County even more attractive. I believe it is important to work with those individuals and groups that are working to implement meaningful business plans. Good things can be done with a common sense approach to county government and as your county commissioner, I will work hard everyday supporting and promoting the good people and organizations of Clearfield County.
Sobel: A commissioner has several roles to fill. First of all, he or she sets the county’s budget. This applies to all of the county offices, whether elected or not.
Secondly, a commissioner supervises and oversees the non-elective offices in order to make sure that they are serving the needs of Clearfield County.
Additionally, a commissioner serves as an advocate, salesperson or cheerleader for Clearfield County. It’s up to our commissioners to be consistently promoting our county to everyone and to every institution no matter how far away.
Finally, a commissioner is a representative of Clearfield County to the world. If others admire our commissioners, then others will admire Clearfield County.