Micah Clausen Sworn In to Lock Haven City Council 

By Emily Wright

LOCK HAVEN — Micah Clausen stood before friends, family, and Lock Haven City Mayor Joel Long in the echoing chambers of City Hall on Friday, December 12, 2025, his voice steady as he recited an oath that marked a new chapter not just for himself, but for the city he calls home.

“I, Micah Clausen, do solemnly swear that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth, and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity,” Clausen pledged, repeating the words after Mayor Joel Long. The ceremony was held in advance of the traditional council member swearing-in—which typically takes place at the first city council meeting of the year in January—since Clausen will be out of town.

Clausen’s induction follows the November municipal election, in which he received 667 votes to win a four-year term on the Lock Haven City Council, taking over the seat soon to be vacated by Vice President Steve Stevenson. He joins re-elected council members Barbara Masorti, who received 835 votes, and Rick Conklin, who secured 631 votes, forming a trio set to help guide Lock Haven’s future.

A lifelong Clinton County resident, Clausen is deeply connected to the Lock Haven community through both family and business. He co-owns Advantage Sales Ltd., a wholesale and distribution company that’s headquartered on 3rd Avenue, specializing in party supplies, home decor, toys, and hardware, alongside his business partner—who he refers to as his “adopted brother”—Derrick Smith. Clausen’s uncle, Ken Clausen, was also in attendance to witness the ceremony on Friday, highlighting the strong family bonds and local ties that shaped the backdrop of the event. 

“My dad also operated the business in the city from the 1980s until he died,” Clausen reflected, sharing how he was raised in an entrepreneurial environment—a legacy he has carried on since his father passed away more than 28 years ago. In 2014, Clausen relocated Advantage Sales Ltd. to Lock Haven, where he continues to operate the business today.

Clausen’s educational background is also firmly rooted in the area, having studied business at the former Lock Haven University—a connection that further strengthens his ties to the area.

For Clausen, civic involvement has been a long-standing ambition—one that is now realized. “I’ve always had an interest in government,” Clausen said. “I want to take part and give back to the community.”  

Clausen brings an entrepreneurial perspective to the city council, focusing on the importance of innovation and efficiency in local government. “I like to see things run efficiently,” he said. “I’ve got an entrepreneurial mind that looks at things differently, and that’s why I ran— I noticed that it was missing, and I want to add that to the city council— the mastermind group that runs the city,” Clausen explained.

As he begins his first term, Clausen’s gratitude for community support is clear. “I’d like to say thank you to the people who voted for me— all 665— I don’t know that many people in the city, so I’m honored and humbled,” he said. “So many people who don’t even know me trusted me to do this, and I’m not going to let them down.”

But Clausen’s gratitude extends beyond his supporters. Unusually candid for a newly elected city official, he also tipped his hat to those who did not cast a ballot in his favor: “Also I’d like to extend a thank you to those that didn’t vote for me, because they’ve given me something that I love, and that’s a challenge; to earn their trust and vote in my next political run. The challenge is accepted, and I won’t let them down either.”

His business acumen and emphasis on transparency come at a pivotal moment for the City of Lock Haven, as it navigates the balance between preserving tradition and addressing new challenges and opportunities. With Clausen’s fresh perspective joining the experience of returning council members, residents are watching closely to see what changes and progress may unfold.

As the city moves into 2026, Clausen’s combination of gratitude and determination establishes a spirit of collaboration—and, perhaps, a healthy dose of constructive challenge—for the years ahead. As Clausen himself makes clear, his goal is not simply to win a seat on the city council, but to prove worthy of it and build trust among community members every day.

“I’m not going to let them down,” Clausen reemphasizes. With that promise, he steps into a new role, ready to serve Lock Haven and all its people.