Clinton County Commissioners Designate October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Approve Grants, and Highlight Community Initiatives

By Emily Wright

LOCK HAVEN— During their bi-weekly voting session on Thursday morning, the Clinton County Board of Commissioners addressed and approved several items. The board issued a proclamation recognizing October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and highlighted the services provided by Roads to Peace (Clinton County Women’s Center, Inc.). The board also approved the submission of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Application and authorized the chief clerk to submit grant applications electronically. To conclude the meeting, Commissioner Angela Harding announced that the Wayne Township Landfill is collecting donations for victims of Hurricane Helene and provided additional details for those interested in contributing.

At the start of the meeting, repository bids were opened. The only bid received was from B. Connecting LLC, owned by Bailey Shawley, M.Ed., for a Children and Youth Services professional specializing in emotional regulation practices. The bid proposed a rate of $50 per one-hour session for up to two attendees and $65 per one-hour family consultation for three or more family members. Commissioner Jeff Snyder moved to refer the bid to Children and Youth Services and their solicitor for review and recommendation, with Commissioner Harding seconding the motion.

Next, Commissioner Harding read Proclamation No. 15 of 2024, designating October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The proclamation highlighted the severity and prevalence of domestic violence and also included statistics compiled by Roads to Peace.

In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Roads to Peace assisted 340 men, women, and their dependent children, along with 18 individuals self-identifying as LGBTQ. During this period, the organization provided 929 hours of counseling, advocacy, and support to domestic violence victims and received 217 hotline calls. Additionally, Roads to Peace provided emergency shelter to 41 domestic violence survivors.

The proclamation urges all citizens to actively participate in scheduled events and programs coordinated by Roads to Peace to work towards eliminating domestic violence in Clinton County. 

Roads to Peace representatives Julie Peters, Marisol Bower, and Hannah Worden attended the meeting to accept the proclamation. Peters briefly addressed the board, expressing gratitude for the proclamation and emphasizing the importance of spreading awareness and supporting survivors of domestic abuse. 

“We’re very happy to be here even though it’s a very sad job that we do. It’s hard work, but we do it because it’s not right for anybody to have to live through abuse,” Peters said before mentioning that she brought purple pins for the commissioners in acknowledgment of Domestic Violence Month as well as brochures to help raise awareness and provide information about Roads to Peace. 

Commissioner Snyder presented Resolution No. 18 of 2024, which authorizes the submission of an application to the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for the fiscal year 2024 funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The resolution highlighted the importance and public interest of Clinton County receiving these funds from the Commonwealth through the CDBG program. It also noted that the commissioners engaged in a significant citizen participation process to prioritize projects and develop a community development plan. Furthermore, the resolution authorized the Clinton County Planning Department staff to prepare the necessary forms and documents to apply for the CDBG funds.

Next, the commissioners designated Chief Clerk Desiree Myers to electronically execute grant applications to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. This designation is to remain in effect until revoked by the Board of Commissioners. 

At the end of the meeting, Commissioner Harding announced that the Wayne Township Landfill (WTL) is currently collecting donations that they will deliver to victims of Hurricane Helene. “They are going to be filling up a trailer, and they’re hoping to spread the word here in Clinton County,” Harding said. 

The last day to donate will be Monday, October 7, 2024. All donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Wayne Township Landfill’s recycling facility, 337 Pine Mountain Road in McElhattan. 

Commissioner Harding gave examples of items that WTL is hoping to collect, which included bottled water, baby diapers and formula, cleaning supplies, hygiene products such as deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, feminine products, and canned, non-perishable foods and pet food. To see a full list of items needed, visit the WTL Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WayneTownshipLandfill/. 

Harding also acknowledged the Flaming Foliage Festival Committee members as they prepare for the 75th Flaming Foliage Festival next weekend, beginning on Friday, October 11, and continuing through Sunday, October 13. To see the latest updates and events scheduled for this year’s festival, visit the PA State Flaming Foliage Festival Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PAStateFlamingFoliageFestival. 

Last, Commissioner Harding expressed her condolences to the friends, family, board members, and co-workers of Mike Flanagan, Clinton County Economic Partnership CEO, following his passing. 

“For the past five years, Mike and I broadcasted Central Mountain girls basketball together on The Record Online, and before that, he was always a very dependable face on the sidelines of all of my son’s home football games,” she said. “We could always talk sports and community, and I considered him a friend. He was a dedicated and very loyal member of this community, and he will be missed.” 

The next meeting of the Clinton County Commissioners will be held on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. All meetings are held in person in the second-floor conference room of the Piper Building, located at 2 Piper Way in Lock Haven. They are also live-streamed on the Clinton County Government Facebook page.