Potter County Today

A meeting of the Potter County Human Services (PCHS) Advisory Board scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 15, has been cancelled due to adverse driving conditions. The next meeting will be held in January. Details will be announced. PCHS operates programs for victims of alcoholism and other drug abuse, older citizens, the mentally ill, children who are at risk, and the intellectually disabled. Advisory board members are appointed by the Potter County Board of Commissioners. Anyone interested in being considered for appointment to the board should contact the Commissioners Office at 274-8290, extension 207.

Voter turnout in Potter County was 59 percent for the Nov. 6, 2018, General Election, according to Sandy Lewis, director of elections. Following are unofficial returns with all 33 of the precincts reporting:

U.S. Senator: Bob Casey Jr. (D) 1,542, Lou Barletta (R) 4,551, Neal Gale (Green) 38, Dale R. Kerns Jr. (Lib.) 61.

Governor/Lt. Governor: Tom Wolf and John Fetterman (D) 1,450; Scott Wagner & Jeff Bartow (R) 4,723; Paul Glover and Jocolyn Bowser-Bostick (Green) 42; Ken V. Krawchuk and Kathleen S. Smith (Lib.) 66.

Representative in Congress (Pa. 12^th District): Marc Friedenberg (D) 1,414; Tom Marino (R) 4,841

Representative in Pa. General Assembly (67^th District): Maryanne Cole (D) 974, Martin T. Causer (R) 4,853.

Representative in Pa. General Assembly (68^th District): Carrie Heath (D) 122, Clint Owlett (R) 332.

All returns are unofficial until they are certified through the official count of the Potter County Canvassing and Computing Board.

Potter, McKean and Cameron counties continue work on a joint “comprehensive plan,” the document that guides decision-making on topics as varied as land use planning, transportation, economic development, protection of natural resources, education, public safety, housing and quality of life. More than 30 citizens attended two focus group meetings on the Potter County section of the plan at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport. In discussions moderated by Tracey Vernon (standing) from the consulting firm, Michael Baker International, they identified multiple issues of importance and/or concern and held a roundtable discussion on possible solutions and strategies.

The plan is mandated by the state and must be updated every 10 years. Each county covered by the Northern Pennsylvania Tri-County Comprehensive Plan will have a separate section that reflects local priorities. Commissioners from the three counties signed on to the project in an effort to save costs through shared resources. Total cost is $115,000, with $80,000 covered by federal funding and the remaining $34,500 shared equally among Cameron, Potter and McKean counties.

An initial report based on the consulting firm’s research was recently released. Profiles of the three counties were created to identify trends, assets, strengths, challenges and opportunities. Among the concerns are the impact of a declining population, combined with steady increases in median age. These pose major challenges that will impact the comprehensive planning process, in terms of needed services, changes in the job market, economics and other areas.

Input is being solicited from townships and boroughs, school districts, community organizations, businesses, education representatives and others. Planning Directors Will Hunt (Potter), Cliff Clark (Cameron) and Jeremy Morey (McKean) are the point people. Focus groups are currently meeting to provide input. Public meetings will be scheduled.

A new executive director will begin service to the Potter County Education Council on Oct. 29, bringing with her extensive experience as a professional educator. Dr. Michele Moore has served for more than 26 years in Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania.  She has been working within Mansfield University for 17 years in various positions.

Dr. Moore has worked extensively with university, community and school collaboration services.  In addition to teaching, she has worked as a practicum supervisor with Penn State University, from 1997-2001; the NCATE coordinator for Mansfield University, from 2010-2012; and the assessment coordinator for the Education and Special Education Department of Mansfield University. from 2014-2017. She earned a master’s degree in elementary education with reading specialist certification from Mansfield University. In 2003, she earned her doctorate in special education from  Pennsylvania State University. Most recently, she has been a researcher for a pilot study titled, “Co-Teaching Triads: Redesigning Practice in Teacher Preparation at Mansfield University.”

Potter County Education Council delivers cost-effective educational services to the residents of Potter and McKean counties. Collaboration with area institutions of learning, businesses, and industries help the Education Council in creating opportunities for residents to achieve their educational, job and life goals.

Potter County Historical Society has published a guide that offers six options for those who wish to explore the county’s roots. It’s designed as a tool to deepen local residents’ appreciation of their heritage and assist tourists who are looking for interesting adventures, according to society president David Castano. Copies of the 80-page booklet are available at the PCHS museum on North Main Street in Coudersport.

Six routes are laid out in the guide based on regions of Potter County. The booklet contains summaries of local industries, individuals and communities. Road maps with directions have been added to each section. Dozens of archival photos provide an important visual element to the engaging text. On the Northwestern Tour, drivers can see the site of a pallisaded Native American village dating back to the late Fifteenth Century. The Southeastern Tour recalls the rise and fall of the village of Cross Fork, which was teeming with a population of 2,500 or more residents plus twice that many itinerants during the lumber book of the early Twentieth Century. PCHS dedicated the booklet to the late Bob and Maxine Currin, each of whom was active with the society. They were known to take regular driving tours to explore Potter County history.

Hundreds of people are directly affected by programs offered by Potter County Human Services (PCHS), but few take the opportunity to provide input on how those services are delivered. An Advisory Board that’s in place to accommodate public comments and suggestions will hold its next meeting on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 5:30 pm in the PCHS building at Roulette. PCHS operates programs for victims of alcoholism and other drug abuse, older citizens, the mentally ill, children who are at risk, and the intellectually disabled. Advisory board members are appointed by the Potter County Board of Commissioners. Anyone interested in being considered for appointment to the board should contact the Commissioners Office at 274-8290, extension 207.