Potter County Today

More activities have fallen into place as Potter County gears up for an extended “America250” celebration, marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Two local organizations – the Potter County Historical Society (PCHS) and the Allegewi Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution – are spearheading the county’s activities. Many partners have already come aboard. Commissioner Paul Heimel is serving as the county’s liaison with the America250PA organization in Harrisburg.

DAR members began by placing displays in the PCHS Museum and the Eliot Ness Museum. In May, they will place wreaths at the sites of the 11 Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Potter County. Wreaths will remain in place through July 2026. DAR members are also holding two special events to which the public is invited. On July 3, 2025, they will hold a memorial service at the Lymansville Cemetery in honor of the Revolutionary War soldiers. DAR activities will culminate with a rededication of the David Zeisberger monument at the courthouse square July 3, 2026. Among other activities that are in the works:

Bells Across Pennsylvania: America250PA is accepting design submissions from artists for the ‘Bells Across Pennsylvania’ art series. Fiberglass bells will be transformed by local artists and sponsored by businesses or individuals. Goal is to place at least one bell in each county. Each commissioned bell will receive one honorarium regardless of group size. PCHS and the Potter County Creative Council (PC3) are coordinating local participation.

Liberty Tree: During the Revolutionary War, the Sons of Liberty often convened under the nation’s original Liberty Tree in Boston, to discuss their opposition to British rule in the colonies. This historic tree became a beacon of hope to colonists and a symbol of American freedom. Seeds from a scion of an original Liberty Tree have been grown into seedlings and are being planted across the Commonwealth. Goal is to have a certified Liberty Tree planted in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. PCHS, local Freemasons and the Pa. Bureau of Forestry are working on a plan to have a tree planted and commemorated at Denton Hill State Park.

Young Heroes Outreach Program: Developed to help students in grades 4-8 to learn and practice the civic leadership and skills that will help them develop into responsible, ethical citizens. This program is free-of-charge to schools. Participating teachers will receive support of an expert educator from the National Liberty Museum. School superintendents from across Potter County will be engaged with the local coordinators this summer to develop plans for the 2025-26 school year. PCHS will provide localized guides for each school. Pennsylvania Lumber Museum staff will also be engaged.

‘Pa. Proud’ Servicemember Spotlight: America250PA encourages nominations for its #PAProud Servicemember Spotlight Series to bring attention to their efforts and thank them for their service. Potter County America250 volunteers are working on localized “spotlights” to memorialize selected Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans.

Keystone Classroom Initiative: KCI is a storytelling and visitation program for grades K-4, children’s hospitals, and youth camps. Along with a historical re-enactor, storyteller, local celebrity, or mascot, America250PA will pay visits to educate children about our shared Pennsylvania story and share materials. School superintendents from across Potter County will engage with the local coordinators this summer to develop plans for the 2025-26 school year

Road to Pennsylvania – 2026: America250PA is promoting walking, running, biking or wheeling through races, organized walks/hikes or other events. In partnership with the DCNR and county partners, America250PA will also highlight and encourage visitation to state parks, county parks and local historic points of interests. PCHS is identifying trails with historical significance, with plans to engage scholastic cross-country teams, hiking clubs, running clubs and other potential partners.

America250 Apron Contest:  Potter County Fair Board is holding a patriotic apron contest in conjunction with the 2025 fair. Cash prizes will be award to top entries. More information is available from Judi Turton at 814-848-7204.

4-H was saluted during Thursday’s meeting of the Potter County Commissioners with not only a proclamation, but also with testimony from one of the teens who are currently benefitting from the youth development program. Spencer Gee, Penn State Extension educator who coordinates 4-H in Potter County, introduced her guest, Dana Williams, who’s actively involved with two local clubs. Gee expressed her appreciation for the county’s support, which includes an annual budget allotment and use of office space at the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building.

Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Robert Rossman and Paul Heimel formally proclaimed March 16-22 as Pennsylvania 4-H Week in Potter County. 4-H began in 1902 as an educational program for rural youth, focusing on practical, hands-on learning in areas such as farming and homemaking. It has evolved to encompass a broader range of youth development and leadership experiences. More than 77,000 youths ages 5-18 are currently engaged across Pennsylvania. Well over 1,000 Potter County young people have participated in activities such as animal science, health and wellness, leadership, public service, goal setting, public speaking and others. Gee also commended the adult leaders who have served as mentors and hands-on supporters of 4-H members. More information is available at 814-274-8540. (Shown from left are Commissioner Paul Heimel, Spencer Gee, Commissioner Robert Rossman and Dana Williams).

A moment of silence was observed at the F. W. Gunzburger County Office Building on Friday, memorializing U.S. Army Specialist Mike Franklin, who lost his life in the Global War on Terrorism 20 years ago, on March 7, 2005. A banner hangs on the wall next to the Main Street entrance. It was originally hung in downtown Harrisburg, through a partnership of a local civic organization and the American Gold Star Mothers. The banner was donated to the county by SPC Franklin’s parents, Tina and Bill Franklin, when they moved to Arizona.

The Coudersport soldier lost his life when an improvised explosive device detonated near his screening area in Ramadi, Iraq. SPC Franklin, who was a month shy of his 23rd birthday, was not scheduled to be on duty during that shift on 5. But he unselfishly agreed to stand in to help a friend. The checkpoint he was patrolling was established to trap guerrilla fighters through a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Similar operations were taking place in other towns in western Iraq, which were seeing heavy guerrilla fighting. A car had stalled and couldn’t be restarted. Just as Franklin and another soldier were about to begin searching the vehicle, the bomb was detonated by a remote-control device.

After her son’s death, Tina Franklin became involved with the work of Gold Star Mothers, an organization of those who have lost a son or daughter in battle. She has made multiple trips to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., to visit injured service members. Tina and Bill Franklin suggest that those wishing to honor military personnel who have fallen in war consider service to others through community organizations, churches or government agencies.

Progress continues on a plan to improve a county-owned lot in downtown Coudersport. It’s a project of the Revitalize Potter County Steering Committee, comprised of the county Planning/Community Development/GIS Department and the County Commissioners. The site is at the corner of East Second and North East streets. A $4,500 grant from the Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team paid for the services of a landscape architect/engineer, who conducted a feasibility study and developed a conceptual design (above). Potter County later received a $41,400 state grant to help cover costs for construction of a pedestrian walkway and parking area; installation of utilities and interpretive signs; handicapped accessibility, landscaping, benches, comfort facilities and other related site improvements.

Will Hunt, director of Planning/Community Development/GIS Services, provided an update on the project at the March 6 commissioners meeting. He said a bid package for the site work is now being advertised. Assuming that a contractor’s services are secured, construction could begin as soon as late spring. Site work is Phase One of a broader plan.

Phase Two, which currently has no timetable, call for erection of multiple, semi-permanent, short-term rental spaces. Retail space would complement the Potter County Farmers Market, with occupants potentially marketing agricultural goods, prepared food, locally crafted items or other products. The committee envisions the lot becoming a gathering place where live music and other entertainment or educational programs could be presented. Similar open-air markets could be developed in Galeton, Ulysses, Roulette and other Potter County towns. Community organizations, such as chambers of commerce, would be contacted to partner with the committee. Those holding festivals and other public attractions could offer previews, such as live music “teasers,” chainsaw carving demonstrations and other promotional activities, at the market. Visitors would be directed to businesses, attractions and events in the region.

Rentals would be available at low fees. The market village could serve as an incubator for new businesses. It would provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners to “pilot” their business idea, without running the large risk associated with a storefront. Once the business proves to be successful, the hope is it would move into an empty storefront to help revitalize the business district.

A public meeting of the Potter County Jail Board originally scheduled for Friday, March 7, has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. Pending any new date being set for the March meeting, the board’s next public meeting will be held at noon on Friday, April 4, at the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building Auditorium. Telephone access is available at 814-274-0844; PIN is #114477.

Those with questions or comments about the jail are reminded that they can submit them to the board through email sent to pcjailboard@pottercountypa.net. Jail Board members are Commissioner Paul Heimel (chair), Sheriff Kevin Siska (vice chair), Commissioner Nancy Grupp (secretary), Judge Stephen Minor, District Attorney Andy Watson, and Commissioner Robert Rossman. Chief Commissioners Clerk Jessica Giebel serves as administrator.

Public officials at the county, state and federal levels are pressing UPMC administrators to reverse their decision to discontinue childbirth services at UPMC Cole in Coudersport. Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Robert Rossman and Paul Heimel have been engaged in the mission ever since the news broke last week. They have researched the complex issues related to the growing number of “maternity deserts” in rural areas and enlisted support from U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick, U.S. Representative Glenn Thompson, Governor Josh Shapiro, State Senator Cris Dush and State Representative Martin Causer, among others. Commissioners from Cameron and McKean counties have also joined the mission. All agree on the need for both short-term and long-term public policy changes to ensure that quality health care services are available in the underserved communities of Pennsylvania. Last week, at the request of Rep. Causer, UPMC executives and administrators hosted a meeting to discuss both the discontinuation of childbirth services at UPMC Cole and the broader issues. Rep. Causer issued the following report:

State officials, along with commissioners from Potter, Cameron and McKean counties, and representatives of our federal lawmakers met with UPMC officials regarding their plans to drop labor and delivery services at UPMC Cole. Despite the strong case we laid out, and the deep concerns we shared about the risks to expectant mothers and their babies, UPMC will not reverse course on its decision.

Their actions cause a significant maternity care desert with no labor and delivery services in multiple counties in our region. UPMC insists the reason for the decision is its inability to recruit an OB/GYN physician to Coudersport, along with a shortage of labor and delivery Registered Nurses. UPMC is adamant this is not a financial decision; however, I question that premise because I have heard from area nurses that UPMC Cole pays some of the lowest rates in our region. We have so many exceptionally skilled and talented health care professionals in our region who should be compensated appropriately for their life-saving skills.

I specifically raised concerns about the risk this action poses for our expectant mothers and babies with long travel times to another facility, transportation accessibility challenges and the burden placed on our already fragile EMS system. In response, we were told UPMC was committed to providing 24/7 ambulance transportation for inter-facility transport of patients; personalized coordination of transportation services; and overnight accommodations for expectant mothers and family members, including fuel subsidies.

Legislators have focused a great deal of resources on rural health care over the last several years, but what has become clear to me is our supposedly not-for-profit huge health care companies are failing to live up to their commitment to providing affordable, accessible care in rural communities like ours. We deserve better.