County Commissioners: Back to Normal in PA? Who Knows When?

LOCK HAVEN – The coronavirus occupied much of a brief, virtual Clinton County Commissioners meeting on Thursday. Commissioner Jeff Snyder, who is president of the state county commissioners association, reported on a recent organization session with Gov. Tom Wolf and state Health Secretary Rachel Levine. He said the state officials were asked when counties in the current “yellow” designation might move to the much less restrictive “green” designation. The commissioners were told, he said, “We haven’t even started to talk about that yet.”

Meanwhile, Snyder advised, county residents need to continue social distancing and related practices, stating, “As long as we keep our case numbers down, eventually we’ll get back to normal. Be patient, we’ll get there.”

County officials offered a report on the recent limited reopening of county offices. Commissioner Angela Harding said the county is “open” and many dealings with the public continue to be transacted through email and phone calls. Direct contact, she said, is available by appointment only.

Two county courthouse row officers, Sheriff Kerry Stover and Prothonotary Cindy Love. said there has not been a significant increase in building visitors since its limited reopening on Monday of this week. They said members of the public are wearing masks and Stover said, “Things are going well.”

County voter registrar Maria Boileau provided an update on the approaching June 2 election. The county will be maintaining all 34 county polling places and poll workers are needed in some of those precincts. Those who may be able to help should call her office at 570-748-4019. She reminded that Monday, May 18 is the last day to register to vote and Tuesday, May 26 is the last date to apply for a mail-in ballot.