County commissioners blistered over American flag funding removal

LOCK HAVEN, PA – South Renovo resident and veteran Robert Cozzi went before the Clinton County Commissioners at their Thursday meeting and said he had a complaint. He then made an impassioned address about a change in longstanding county policy, allocating dollars for flag purchases at war memorials and bridges throughout the county. Cozzi said he has been involved in placement of the flags for 30 years but said he was shocked when he learned the county had not provided funding for flag purchases in this year’s budget.

He said he only learned of the lack of funding when he met with the county’s new Director of Veterans Affairs Todd Warner this spring. Cozzi said others had received a letter about the change in county policy but that he, who carries out the project in western Clinton County, had not been informed.

Cozzi thanked the Renovo American Legion for its help in providing funding so the flags could be placed for Memorial Day. He said the cost is between $2,500 and $3,000.

Cozzi said the budget decision was “not the responsible thing to do” and that, after 30 years, “all of a sudden the county wanted to save money.”

He called on the commissioners to reinstate funding in their budget, terming it “the American thing to do.”
The commissioners indicated they would address Cozzi’s concerns. Commissioner Jeff Snyder, chairing the meeting in the absence of board chairman Miles Kessinger said, “We’ll see what we can do…moving forward.” He said dealing with COVID had caused some of the difficulties and said the commissioners will revisit the matter with new county VA director Warner.

Both Snyder and commissioner Angela Harding pledged their support for veterans, Harding noting that the county spends some $12,800 towards veterans’ burial-related costs.

Snyder also reported that helicopter spraying for black fly suppression was to begin Thursday, the first spray downriver from Keating to Renovo. He also reported that mosquitos carrying the West Nile Virus had been found in Renovo and urged residents there to be vigilant, including removal of any stagnant water.