Three-Way Race For Potter County Republican Chair
In a development that’s unprecedented in modern history, three candidates have emerged to compete for the position of Potter County Republican Chairman. Director of Elections Sandra Lewis certified that Jason Chitester of Coudersport, Marcia Lagrua-Jones of Eulalia Township, and Carl Long of Allegany Township will have their names appear on the ballot in the May 18 primary election. Registered Republicans will choose the chairman, who will serve a two-year term. Incumbent D. Bruce Cahilly chose not to seek re-election. There is no salary. The Potter County Democratic Committee selects its chair through a vote of the committee membership.
Director Lewis also reported that there was little interest in seats on the county’s two political committees up for election on May 18. No candidates filed petitions for the 66 Republican committeeman and committeewoman positions. About a half-dozen Democrats filed to appear on local ballots — all unopposed — for the 66 Democratic County Committee seats.
Only registered Republicans and Democrats are eligible to vote on May 18. Deadline to register to vote, report change of address or change party affiliation is April 19.
Remember that Daylight Saving Time arrives at 2:00 am Sunday. Most people turn ahead their clocks one hour before they retire for the night on Saturday. Congress extended the Daylight Saving Time period, both in the spring and in the fall, as a means of saving energy by allowing an additional hour of daylight later in the day for many activities. We’ll get the hour back on Sunday, Nov. 7. Opinions differ on the advisability of changing clocks and there are some drawbacks. Potter County Emergency Management Agency says the twice-yearly ritual is a good reminder to change smoke detector batteries.
At least two companies are planning to build dozens of industrial wind turbines in northern Potter County. Plans are in various stages of development affecting Ulysses, Hector, Allegany, Homer, Sweden, Hebron and Eulalia townships. County officials advise citizens who are seeking specific information on wind energy facilities in their municipalities to check with their local township officials.
Several area school superintendents and other educators from Potter and McKean counties will be traveling to North Texas later this year to investigate job training and education programs that have been successful in the Barnett Shale natural gas region. Galeton Area School District Superintendent David Wishard has spearheaded the plan and Northcentral Pa. Regional Planning and Development Commission is providing funds that will cover most of the expenses. Helene Nawrocki, executive director of the Potter County Education Council, announced the plan during Tuesday’s meeting of the Potter County Natural Gas Task Force. She and Bob Veilleux, who is a liaison with the Education Council and Penn State Cooperative Extension, will join the area superintendents on the trip.
Water issues were on the agenda of Tuesday night’s Potter County Natural Gas Task Force. Three members of the organization’s Water Quality Study Committee addressed the group, emphasizing the need for citizens — especially those who own wells and springs — to be vigilant as well-drilling increases.
John McLaughlin announced that another round of training for volunteer water monitors in the Pine Creek Watershed will be held from 7-9 pm on Tuesday, March 23, at the North Campus of Pennsylvania College of Technology near Wellsboro. Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group is holding the session. More information is available at 570-724-1801, extension 118.
Another committee member, Jim Clark of Penn State Cooperative Extension, encouraged the public to visit the Cooperative Extension website for information on water testing, landowners’ rights and the laws affecting drilling companies. Clark also said his agency is seeking private landowners who live in close proximity to natural gas drilling to participate in a study of the industry’s possible impact on water supplies. He can be contacted by email at
Exhibitor space has sold out and people are registered from nine states for the three-county Natural Gas Expo, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, March 17-18, at the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle. Helene Nawrocki, executive director of the Potter County Education Council, reported at Tuesday’s Potter County Natural Gas Task Force meeting that interest in the event has come from far and wide. “In terms of gas production, the eyes of the country are on this area,” she noted. There were 70 exhibitor spaces available and more than 100 applications to fill them.