April Proclamations Shine Spotlight on Key Initiatives at Clinton County Commissioner’s Meeting

By Emily Wright

LOCK HAVEN— At the Clinton County Commissioners’ meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025, notable proclamations were read, recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Donate Life Month, and the week of April 13 through 19 was proclaimed National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

Commissioner Jeff Snyder introduced Proclamation No. 4 of 2025, designating April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. This proclamation highlighted the shared responsibility to prevent adverse childhood experiences and encouraged fostering positive experiences for children in Clinton County. It emphasized that nurturing relationships and providing stable environments are vital for children to thrive. The proclamation also pointed out that preventing child abuse and neglect could alleviate the long-term economic impact associated with child maltreatment.

The proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month called for community investment in abuse prevention initiatives, such as home visiting programs, family-strengthening policies, and economic support initiatives. By proclaiming April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month, the commissioners aim to raise awareness and support efforts to ensure that children in Clinton County grow up happy, healthy, and safe, with hope for their future.

Commissioner Angela Harding presented Proclamation No. 5, designating April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, putting a spotlight on the widespread issue of sexual assault and its impact on victims. The proclamation shared alarming statistics about the prevalence of sexual assault across different demographics, noting that someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. It stated that approximately one in six women, one in 33 men, and one in two transgender individuals will experience attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. Additionally, one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually assaulted before the age of 18, with ages 18 to 34 being the most at risk.

The proclamation also acknowledged that survivors often endure long-term effects such as PTSD and substance abuse, and that more than two-thirds of sexual assaults go unreported. It emphasized the importance of raising awareness, supporting survivors, and working together to end sexual violence in our community, and since 1979, Roads to Peace (Clinton County Women’s Center, Inc.) has been dedicated to doing just that. In the fiscal year 2023-2024 alone, the organization provided services and resources to 56 sexual assault survivors.

Two representatives from Roads to Peace, Rayne Burgin, Community Outreach and Education Coordinator, and Echo Rooker, Housing Advocate, attended the meeting Thursday morning, where they were recognized for their contributions and presented with the proclamation.

Burgin briefly addressed the board, expressing gratitude for the recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. She emphasized the critical role of local resources for survivors, acknowledging the confusion and overwhelm that follows sexual assault. Burgin invited anyone needing assistance to reach out to RTP for support. To contact Roads to Peace for assistance, resources, or general questions, call the helpline at (570) 748-9509. To learn more about the organization, visit www.roadstopeace.org/. Roads to Peace is located in downtown Lock Haven at 34 W. Main Street.

Commissioner Snyder presented Proclamation No. 6, declaring April 2025 as Donate Life Month. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the critical need for organ, eye, and tissue donations while encouraging residents to register as organ donors. The proclamation stressed that more than 104,000 people in the U.S. are currently awaiting life-saving organ transplants—equivalent to the seating capacity of Beaver Stadium during a Penn State football game. Every 10 minutes, another individual is added to the transplant waiting list, and tragically, an average of 17 people die each day while waiting for a donor organ.

The proclamation underscored that a single donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and improve the lives of more than 75 others through tissue and cornea donations. It encouraged residents to learn about the donation process, consider registering as a donor, and take action to offer not only the gift of hope but also life to others. Individuals can register as a donor and learn more about how organ donation works online by visiting www.donors1.org or in person at PennDOT’s Photo License Centers when renewing or receiving a driver’s license or photo ID.

Two representatives from the Gift of Life Donor Program attended the meeting: Diana Nyman and Heidi Weeder, RN, CCRN, EMT, and Senior Clinician in the Intensive Care Unit at UPMC Williamsport (UPMC North Central PA). In October 2024, Weeder was recognized as one of the Gift of Life Donor Program’s most dedicated “Advocates in Action” for her exceptional advocacy and unwavering commitment to organ donors and their families.

Diana Nyman, a representative from the Gift of Life Donor Program, spoke at the meeting following the reading of the Donate Life Month proclamation, providing insights into organ donation and addressing common misconceptions.

“I’d like to address some of the facts and truths about organ donation,” Nyman said. “It’s a fact that anyone, regardless of age or medical history, can sign up to be a donor. The transplant team determines at an individual’s time of death whether donation is possible, and even having had an illness earlier in life, you may still be able to donate your organs or tissues,” she clarified.

Nyman highlighted other important points and dispelled misconceptions, such as the existence of an age limit for donation. “There is no age limit, and the oldest donor in the U.S. was 98 when they were able to donate a part of their liver. What matters is the health and condition of your organs when you die,” she said.

Nyman noted that most major religions support organ donation, considering it “the final act of love and generosity towards others.” She also debunked a common myth about when or how soon after being pronounced dead a person is determined to be a good candidate for donation, stating, “When you are sick or injured and admitted to a hospital, the one and only priority is to save your life, and donation doesn’t become a possibility until all life-saving measures have failed.”

In closing, Nyman highlighted the availability of local resources for those interested in donating. “In this area, we do have resources for the evaluation, pre-, and post-a donation process to save people from traveling out of the area. The only time they would need to travel is for the actual surgery,” she said. “So please give that gift of hope to so many.”

Next, Proclamation No. 7 of 2025 recognized National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, observed from April 13 to April 19, honoring dedicated emergency dispatch professionals across the U.S. and at the Clinton County 911 center. It highlighted the vital role of 911 dispatchers, who serve as a vital link between citizens in crisis and emergency responders. As a 911 dispatcher, day-to-day tasks and responsibilities include providing information, ensuring the safety of police, fire, and EMS personnel, and offering calm reassurance to callers during emergencies, to name just a few.  

The proclamation commends local telecommunicators for their compassion, professionalism, and tireless service to Clinton County residents. By declaring the week of April 13 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, the commissioners sought to recognize and appreciate these often unseen first responders who play a crucial role in public safety and emergency response.

Lori Rhoads, Quality Assurance Supervisor for the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services, attended the meeting and discussed the often thankless nature of dispatchers’ work. “I would like to thank the commissioners for recognizing us for what we do. I’m going to speak on behalf of my co-workers, that we feel it’s a thankless job,” she said. Rhoads emphasized that dispatchers must be at their best for every call, whether it’s the first or the 50th of the day, and that it’s rare for them to receive a ‘thank you’ for their efforts, but as she puts it, “It’s just part of the job.”  

“I have a whole new respect for first responders since I’ve been in this position,” Rhoads expressed. “I didn’t realize the things that they dealt with.” 

Rhoads also mentioned the staffing situation at the 911 center, which is housed in the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services building. They currently have 10 full-time and four part-time dispatchers and plan to hire three more to reach full staffing. She also highlighted staff on the administrative side, which includes four certified dispatchers who can step in at the 911 center when needed: Jonathon Plessinger, Director of Emergency Services; Joshua McGill, 911 Operations/Training Coordinator; and Hannah Park, 911 Computer-Aided Dispatch Supervisor/Risk Management Coordinator.

Rhoads expressed appreciation for the recognition and acknowledged the support of local fire chiefs who were present at the meeting. In attendance were Tony Walker, Chief of Mill Hall Fire Department, and Jim Watson, Chief of Beech Creek-Blanchard Fire Company Station 9. “They’re here today just to support us, and it means the world that they came here to recognize us,” Rhoads said. 

Commissioner Harding expressed gratitude for the work of the emergency personnel present at the meeting, stating, “I think I speak for all of us; we do appreciate the work that you do every single day, and we know that it can be difficult, and sometimes you’re faced with situations where things are happening on the other end of the phone, and you do your best to try to help those maneuver through it. So thank you.”

In closing, Chris Rupert, one of the county’s 911 dispatchers who attended the meeting, took the opportunity to express his appreciation for the proclamation. “I just want to thank the Board of Commissioners as well for the proclamation and recognition of Public Safety Telecommunicators,” he said. “The team that we have in Clinton County is great, and I’m glad to be part of the team.”  

The next meeting of the Clinton County Commissioners will be held on Monday, April 21, at 9:00 a.m. Meetings are held in person at the Piper Building in the 2nd-floor conference room, located at 2 Piper Way in Lock Haven. Meetings are also available via livestream on the “Clinton County Government” Facebook page.