Clinton County Commissioner Candidates Answer Questions: Doug Byerly

The candidates respond:

The Record/therecord-online recently submitted a series of questions to the five candidates who will be on the May 16 ballot for Clinton County Commissioner. Four of the candidates chose to respond. We thank them for their responses and hope their answers help you make an informed decision when you vote on Tuesday. Their answers may be found at therecord-online.

Doug Byerly (R)

Please tell us something of yourself and your reasons for seeking election:

As a resident of Clinton County since 1999 and a 2-term member of Lock Haven City Council, I have been involved with local government for going on eight years and have also been involved with a number of other organizations, such as Leadership Clinton County to promote our County and region.  With the experience that I have gained, I am looking forward to the opportunity to be involved at the County level to work to make this level of government more responsive to County municipalities and citizen needs.

 

I am fortunate to have a good level of experience in local government, higher level education and experience in working with a variety of public and private organizations which have provided me with the background necessary to move into the County level of leadership.  Passion for my adopted home area of Lock Haven and Clinton County for the past 22+ years fuels my desire to find ways to enhance all our County has to offer to make it an even better place to live, work and recreate.

Bechtel Corporation (Renovo Energy Center) recently ended its quest for a natural gas to electricity plant in Renovo. What can county government do to find a meaningful employer for the proposed site?

This particular decision is very disappointing as I have always felt that this project had a lot of positive opportunity for western Clinton County and all of our region. With the recent announcement of the decision to pull this project, I believe the County through the CCEP (Clinton County Economic Partnership) must actively pursue other opportunities for both the Renovo Rail site and also the W. T. Storey building (separately owned property) in this industrial park. It might be time to take look at a recreational related industry (camping/RV site, etc) to foster and enhance this aspect of outdoor recreation in partnership with the PA Wilds.

A group calling itself Operation Cleanup in Renovo wants community support for its effort. Should county government play any role in that effort?

I believe the County can assist groups such as this one with positive support by providing options for funding via the Office of Planning and/or via private firms that can provide funding/development options. While perhaps not being involved specifically with such an organization, County leaders can and should provide guidance while still allowing them to operate with a positive level of individual structure.

Belles Springs golf course has been a successful enterprise run by the County Recreation Authority. Might the county and its taxpayers be better served if the course were converted to private enterprise and a return to the tax rolls? Why or why not?

I have thought about this option in the past and had a chance to talk with Belle Springs Head Golf Professional/Director of Operations Judd Caruso about this type of option.  Following this conversation, I changed my thought process and instead would like to see the County-CCEP lead a project for development of a hotel facility near the golf course/Clinton County Fairgrounds.  This project will be a public/private developer project and will enhance what both facilities have to offer, including positive options for the Clinton County Speedway which has really advanced in its popularity under current promotor, Jason McCahon.  This type of public/private partnership is a way to approach this type of economic development as it allows properties and facilities to remain on the tax rolls.

A Centre County entrepreneur wants to locate a hydrogen producing plant in West Keating Township. The Clean Air Council has already raised concerns about the proposal. Should this plant be encouraged or discouraged by county government?

The KeyState Project has great long-term potential for our region and specifically western Clinton County.  I have been fortunate to talk with one of the leaders for this company, Perry Babb through a common connection.  This is a ‘clean’ energy project which has a solar field as part of the overall plan and focuses on hydrogen energy development. The long-term employment potential of 100-150 permanent jobs and 500+ construction jobs, has tremendous positive potential and needs to be promoted and assisted through to completion by our County leaders.

Clinton County has operated under the same form of government since the Civil War era. Might the time be at hand to look at some kind of home rule reform to modernize the system? Or are you satisfied with the set-up at present?

I’m always open to looking at ways to modernize and provide governmental services in a more cost-effective manner.  In general, I feel the current system functions fairly well but am open to exploring if other options such as a 4-day (10 hours per day) work week, fully remote work options or other arrangements might provide better service to our citizens while also providing some cost savings.

How would you rate county government’s working relationship with its elected state representatives, Rep. Stephanie Borowicz and state Sen. Cris Dush? Is the dialogue adequate to the needs of county residents?

While I respect both Rep. Borowicz and Senator Dush and have talked with them/their offices on a number of occasions, I am overall disappointed in what I see as ‘returns’ to our County/Region from their efforts.  Two examples are the recent decision of UPMC to essentially close the Lock Haven Hospital facility and the integration of LHU into the Commonwealth University of PA.  I’m not sure that enough efforts were made prior to these changes at the state level and in essence through our County leaders.  Also, efforts for our area EMS services have remained fractured rather than being coordinated via our County leadership and in turn the Representatives and Senators offices.  More needs to be done to provide leadership at this level for these types of efforts.

Will you take a “no tax increase” pledge for the next four years if elected? If you do, how do you see the county surviving fiscally in this inflation-ridden era?

I believe while our County leaders have done a number of positive things over the past decade plus in regard to government organization, I do believe the County has options for cost stabilization/reduction.  Privatization or shared type services need to be examined to determine if these can provide cost savings.  Another area that can be re-examined is the reinstitution of the County Correctional Facility ‘work release’ program.  In general, I believe the job of government is not to provide actual jobs, but to provide services to our citizens and there are always options to provide these services in a more cost-effective way.  In addition, I believe there are options for the County to actually produce revenue with such projects such as cell phone tower usage/rental to private companies that need to be explored as well.  I will pledge to do what I can to have no tax increase during my time as Commissioner if fortunate to be elected.

Lock Haven University is half its former size. The Keystone Central School District is more than half its former size. Lock Haven has lost it hospital. Renovo recently lost its best economic hope with the end of the REC project planning. The county is shrinking and aging, population-wise. How do you see your role as a commissioner in changing this discouraging trend? Be specific as possible.

Population decline is something that is difficult to control but I do believe we need to be more proactive in marketing what our County has to offer, such as affordable housing, a variety of family sustaining jobs and a solid educational system including Lock Haven University & the KCSD.  This ties in directly to the issue about worker shortages and while our County leadership has been involved in some programs to promote and recruit people to come and work in our area, these type of programs and efforts need to be increased.