Clinton County Commissioners Discuss Personnel Matters, Recognize Sheriff Kerry Stover for Patriot Award, and Announce Property Tax Rent Rebate Program
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN – The Clinton County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning and discussed several personnel matters that included county employee appointments, reappointments, resignations, and promotions. Commissioner Harding delivered the Reports from Legislators’ offices and also acknowledged County Sheriff Kerry Stover for having received the Patriot Award on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Clinton County Sheriff Kerry Stover received the Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) at the Piper Building in the Commissioner’s conference room. The award recognizes supervisors who provide exceptional support to employees on active duty in the National Guard. Stover was nominated for the award by Deputy Tyler Butler, who is currently on active duty. The award was presented by ESGR Public Affairs Director William Burkhard, in the presence of local officials and the county commissioners, and he was commended for his dedication to supporting his employees who serve in the National Guard and Army Reserves. Sherriff Stover was unable to attend Thursday’s meeting of the county commissioners, but he provided his remarks in advance regarding a few of his deputies who have submitted resignations along with one newly hired deputy.
The board of commissioners approved the resignation of Deputy Luke Motter, effective February 8, 2024. Sheriff Stover’s remarks about Motter’s resignation were read by Chief Clerk Desiree Myers. “Deputy Luke Motter resigned last year to take a much higher-paying position with the school district. He was a very good deputy who came to us from another county with many years of experience. Due to some scheduling issues in 2024, Deputy Motter offered, and Sheriff Stover agreed, that he could stay on as a part-time deputy to assist when he could. Unfortunately, due to Deputy Motter’s new schedule with the school district, the opportunities to help with the office were extremely limited. Deputy Motter has now stepped aside from his part-time spot which will now open the part-time position and allow availability to hire a new part-time who will be available when needed. Thank you and good luck,” Sheriff Stover said.
The Commissioners approved the resignation of another deputy, Adam Ross, effective February 9, 2024. Myers again delivered Sheriff Stover’s remarks about this resignation, “Deputy Ross has submitted his resignation and accepted a position at UPMC Williamsport. Ross was a good deputy who came to the office with many years of experience. We wish him the best and good luck in his future,” he said.
The final resignation approved by the commissioners was for Roger Hoy, part-time security officer, effective February 8, 2024. “Roger Hoy worked in security and he has submitted his resignation from that position. The county is sorry to see Roger leave, as he did a great job at the Garden Building and we wish him the best of luck now and in the future,” Stover said.
The Commissioners approved a new hire, Jeremiah Manning, as part-time Deputy Sheriff effective February 5th, 2024, at an hourly rate of $16.25, not to exceed 1,000 hours annually. “Jeremiah Manning is a new hire as a part-time [deputy sheriff] soon to move into Deputy Ross’s full-time spot. Sheriff Stover looks forward to Deputy Manning joining the deputy ranks; he interviewed very well and is very interested in this line of work. Deputy Manning also serves our country as a member of the National Guard,” Stover said.
Logan Dawes, a student at Central Mountain High School, was approved by commissioners to be hired as a part-time administrative assistant at the Clinton County Conservation District during the meeting, and Commissioner Harding provided her comments. “I want to highlight the fact that Mr. Dawes is coming to the conservation district as a student from Central Mountain High School and he’s enrolled in the Diversified Occupations program, which means that Mr. Dawes is going to get some real-world experience while also finishing his high school diploma, and it’s a really amazing program,” Harding said. “I’m so happy that the conservation district was able to take advantage of it, and I encourage any employer in the community that has an opportunity for some part-time work to contact Daci Killinger at Keystone Central Career and Technical Education. Thank you.”
Approval was granted for the promotion of Lori Rhoads from 911 Dispatcher to 911 Quality Assurance Supervisor in the Department of Emergency Services, effective February 19, 2024, at an annual salary of $39,543.00. County Director of Emergency Services, Jonathan Plessinger, was present at the meeting and provided his comments about Rhoads’ promotion. “Lori Rhoads was with us part-time. She has now been promoted to a supervisor role which we have not had for a long time,” he said. “We have a full complement of staff on the administrative side of our department, so we’re very glad that she’s going to be an administrator,” Plessinger said. Commissioner Harding added to this, stating, “I think it’s important to note that Laurie was a longtime employee of the 911 Center prior to taking a different career path for a moment, and we’re really excited to have her back,” she said.
A property tax rent rebate program was a topic of discussion during the “Reports from Legislators’ Offices” portion of the meeting. Ernie Green, administrative assistant for Stephanie Borowicz’s office, had sent the commissioners an email to inform them that they’re currently working on assisting Clinton County residents with a property tax rebate program. The program was expanded this year, and the maximum rebate amount is $1,000.00 for qualifying individuals. Additionally, he mentioned a new organization called “PA Navigate”. “PA Navigate has a website where folks can look for resources if they have trouble finding them through 211 or other avenues in our community,” Harding said.
In closing, Commissioner Harding provided her comments about the Patriot Award given to Sheriff Kerry Stover on Wednesday, stating, “I think it’s prudent for us to mention during our public meeting here today and congratulate Sheriff Kerry Stover on receiving an award from the National Guard unit,” she said. “Deputy Tyler Butler nominated Sheriff Stover for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve award; it’s a Patriot Award for Sheriff Stover’s ability to not only hire active duty members but also work with them when they are called to duty for our country, so I just wanted to acknowledge and congratulate Sheriff Stover publicly here at our meeting on receiving that award yesterday.”
The next Commissioners meeting will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in person at the Piper Building’s 2nd-floor conference room and it will also be livestreamed on the Clinton County Government Facebook page.
