Clinton County Commissioners Meeting Features Primary Election Results, America250 PA Art Initiative, Pride Month, and More

Clinton County Commissioners Meeting Features Primary Election Results, America250 PA Art Initiative, Pride Month, and More 

By Emily Wright

LOCK HAVEN — The Clinton County Commissioners convened on Thursday, June 5, to address a broad agenda that included public art initiatives, upcoming county events, a recap of the results of the recent municipal primary election, and more. Commissioner Angela Harding also took time during the meeting to recognize the significance of Pride Month.

Repository Bids and Parcel Sales

Following the approval of minutes from the previous meeting, Commissioner Snyder presented repository bids for properties in Lock Haven and Renovo. Snyder read aloud the details of two bids: one for a property at 20 Whippoorwill Lane in Lock Haven, totaling $3,516.34, and another for a parcel on 8th Street in Renovo, valued at $515.00. The board voted unanimously to forward both bids to the county solicitor for review and recommendation.

Grant Realignment and Community Art Wall

Elizabeth Whitty, Community Development and Housing Coordinator, presented two significant updates during the meeting. First, she sought approval to amend the county’s 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application. “We applied for a water filtration plant generator replacement, and DCED found that ineligible, but we can change that to the homeowner-occupied housing rehab, and it would supplement our home grant application that we put in earlier, allowing us to help a few more people that are low to moderate income,” Whitty explained. “They’ll stay in their homes, and we’d address issues such as code deficiencies, ADA accessibility improvements, energy efficiency, that sort of thing.” The commissioners unanimously approved the change following a motion by Commissioner Jeff Snyder.

Whitty then provided updates on the America250 PA Clinton County Committee, reporting that municipalities in the county were emailed a resolution to adopt the four pillars of America250 PA’s theme, “EPIC”, which emphasizes Education, Preservation, Innovation, and Celebration. She highlighted that Chapman and Colebrook Townships have already officially joined the initiative. “I want to encourage people to go ahead and adopt this at their monthly meetings. By doing so, they each resolve to make the 250th anniversary of the United States epic by adopting the four pillars of EPIC,” she said. 

Additionally, Whitty announced a new art project inviting Clinton County artists to create a design for a three-foot tall, ready-to-paint fiberglass bell sculpture as part of the “Bells Across PA” art series, commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary. The completed bell will be displayed at the County Courthouse from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026, and will be featured in a 2026 Commemorative Map, with the chosen artist’s information published on both the America250PA and Clinton County websites and social media. Additionally, the selected artist will receive a $1,250 honorarium for their work. Whitty added that First Energy has generously sponsored one of these bells for the county to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

“We’re looking for designs that reflect some aspect of Clinton County’s history. We are excited to invite submissions, not just from professional artists but from everyone— from established pros to our up-and-coming talents. If you have an idea, we’d really like to see it. So please apply Clinton County, show us what you got!” Whitty said. 

County artists who are interested in applying can find the application on the Clinton County Government website at www.clintoncountypa.gov. To access it, click the “I Want To” tab at the top of the homepage, then select “Learn About AMERICA250PA” for additional details and to download the application. The final deadline for submissions is Tuesday, July 1, at 5:00 p.m. Whitty noted that, following the commissioners’ review, she hopes to announce the selected artist at their meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 10, at 10:00 a.m.

Whitty also took a moment to congratulate Bucktail High School ecology students for their efforts on the Hynerpeton state fossil project and highlighted their upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. “I wanted to congratulate them on recognition of all their hard work, and we look forward to seeing them present their proposal in front of the Senate when it comes up for a vote,” Whitty said. “We’d also like to wish them safe travels because later this month, at the invitation of Senator Fetterman, they are traveling to Washington, D.C.”

Trail Projects and Personnel Changes

The commissioners voted to move forward with a right-of-way agreement between the county and Greta and Kyle Maggs for phase III of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail project in Wayne Township, pending review and approval by the county solicitor.

During the “Personnel” section of the meeting, the board accepted the resignation of Matthew Croak, Community Planner and Zoning Officer, effective June 6, 2025. Extending appreciation for his dedication, Commissioner Snyder remarked, “We’d like to thank Matt for his years of service and wish him luck moving forward.”

Additionally, the commissioners appointed Hannah Englert as an unpaid summer intern to assist in the commissioners’ office, effective June 16, 2025.

Election Recap and Need for Poll Workers

Clinton County Voter Registrar Maria Boileau gave a summary of the Municipal Primary Election on May 20: “We had a 23.6% turnout, 5,282 votes— that included 4,050 in-person votes and 1,229 mail ballots cast. We want to thank the 169 poll workers for a job well done, and special thanks to all the county employees who helped with [this] election,” Boileau reported. 

Boileau also noted that the election results have been certified and are available on the “Voter Registration” page of the Clinton County website at www.clintoncountypa.gov/departments/voter-registration. 

Looking ahead, Boileau reminded the public about the upcoming municipal election this fall and emphasized the need for additional poll workers. “The municipal election is Tuesday, November 4, and the last day to register to vote or update your voter registration is October 20, and the last day to apply for a mail ballot is October 28. We are in need of poll workers, so if you’re interested in working at the polling places, we do need to fill some vacancies before November,” she said.

Anyone interested in serving as a poll worker is encouraged to contact the Clinton County Voter Registration/Elections Office at 570-893-4019 or by emailing voter@clintoncountypa.gov. 

Commissioners’ Reports

Commissioner Angela Harding made a few announcements at the end of the meeting, beginning with information about the upcoming Iron Man 70.3 triathlon in collaboration with Centre County, scheduled for Sunday, June 15. She provided details about the event’s biking route, emphasizing that it will travel along Route 64 through the Beech Creek area from Bald Eagle State Park to Mill Hall. Beech Creek Avenue will be closed during the race, and cyclists will proceed along Route 150 as they return to Centre County. 

“The reason I bring this up today is, one: we are very honored to be able to host this event in our community, and secondly, to ask our community members to be patient, be respectful and supportive of this race,” Harding said. “There probably is going to be some inconvenience on those roads that I mentioned, but this is a nationally credited [event] and we want our guests to feel welcome here in Clinton County.”

Pride Month Acknowledgment

Harding also delivered a passionate statement on the significance of Pride Month during the Commissioners’ Reports. She reflected on the events at the Stonewall Inn, where a routine police raid took place on June 28, 1969, and discussed the ongoing progress in LGBTQ rights. “This event in history is how June became Pride Month. The Stonewall Inn event led to the creation of activism groups and organizations to support the LGBTQ community,” she read from her prepared statement.

She continued, “Pride Month is a chance to bring awareness to the impact of lives in our community and across the nation who face bigotry, harassment, and judgment. More importantly, it’s a chance for all members of the LGBTQ community to connect and remember that they have support.”

Commissioner Harding shared several statistics related to the LGBTQ community, stating, “At least one LGBTQ person between the ages of 13 and 24 attempts suicide every 45 seconds in the United States of America. While I’ve been talking, approximately two people have attempted to take their lives because of how they are treated or perceived in the United States.” Harding added that in addition to attempted suicide, in 2024, there were “upwards of 48 crime murders” of LGBTQ Americans. 

Closing her statements, Harding emphasized tolerance, stating, “This Pride Month, please consider respect, consider life, consider privacy, and consider kindness. Happy Pride Month to those who celebrate, I am a proud ally.”

D-Day Tribute

Commissioner Jim Russo, adding to the Commissioners’ Reports, asked county residents to reflect on the anniversary of D-Day. He spoke briefly about the historical significance of June 6, which marks the 81st anniversary of the Normandy invasion during World War II. He provided somber details about the invasion, noting that by 11:00 a.m. on that day in 1944, there were 1,000 young Americans that lost their lives. He urged those listening to take a moment to remember “those young kids” who lost their lives on the beach that day. 

Russo also underscored that the following week, on June 14, the U.S. Army was established, and he highlighted his personal passion for the military and the freedom it affords us. His remarks were a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by military personnel, encouraging reflection on the significance of these historical events. 

Juneteenth and Meeting Schedule

County Chief Clerk Desiree Myers noted the observance of Juneteenth just before adjournment, stating, “The county is now observing Juneteenth as a holiday. So on [Thursday] June 19, county offices will be closed, therefore the next commissioner’s meeting will be June 26,” she said.

The next meeting of the Clinton County Commissioners is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the Piper Building, located at 2 Piper Way in Lock Haven, in the 2nd-floor conference room. Meetings are also available via live stream on the “Clinton County Government” Facebook page.