Potter County Today

It will soon be time to spring into action at the Potter County Community Garden. Applications for garden plots will continue to be accepted until all spaces have been claimed. Three new plots have been added, bringing the total to 31 garden beds, with four being raised for handicapped or disability access. Located at 7 Water Street in Coudersport, the Community Garden will open its gates again on April 20 for individuals and groups to use a free garden plot, regardless of income.

Individual and group applications are available at Hershey’s Market, Kaytee’s, Coudersport Public Library, Coudersport Senior Center, UPMC Wellness Center, Coudersport Pediatrics, and the Penn State Extension office in the Gunzburger Building. Interested parties can also email pccg2022@gmail.com to request an application. For more information, see the Facebook page, Potter County Community Garden; or call 814-274-8540, ext. 100. The Community Garden is a cooperative effort between the Potter County Commissioners, UPMC Cole, Penn State Extension, and Potter County Conservation District. Its mission is to:

• empower the community to plant, grow and harvest their own produce.
• provide education on the value of gardening.
• promote community interaction & unity.
• offer solutions to food insecurity where groceries and healthy eating can be limited.

Programs administered by Potter County Human Services (PCHS) affect hundreds of lives across the county. PCHS offers opportunities for public input on its many programs through dedicated advisory boards. Clients and their family members or caregivers, as well as community representatives, are encouraged to participate. All board meetings are open to the public. PCHS operates programs for victims of alcoholism and other drug abuse, older citizens, the mentally ill, children who are at risk, the intellectually disabled and those who are homeless or otherwise disadvantaged. Volunteer advisory board members are appointed by the Potter County Board of Commissioners. Anyone interested in being considered for appointment to any of the boards should contact the Commissioners Office at 274-8290, extension 207.

One group of volunteers holds quarterly meetings to provide input on the overall operations of PCHS. Directors of the county agency depend on the Potter County Human Services Advisory Board in determining program priorities and other policies and practices. This year’s meetings will be held at 2 pm Jan. 25, April 25, July 25 and Oct. 24 at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport.

An Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Advisory Board serves in a consulting role to PCHS in the delivery of prevention and treatment programs. The field has been changing dramatically in recent times with a growing methamphetamine epidemic, the abuse of prescription drugs, and heroin addiction. Alcohol and tobacco, among other drugs, also take a toll among county residents. AOTD meetings will be held at noon on the second Friday of each month. To participate, call PCHS at 814-544-7315 for further information.

An Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board offers input to administrators of programs and services for older county residents, ranging from senior centers and home-delivered meals to in-home care and assistance with Medicare. To participate, call PCHS at 814-544-7315.

Potter County has signed up for another year of service from a notification system that provides the public with important alerts and time-sensitive messages on tornadoes, floods, or other emergencies. At last week’s business meeting, Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Barry Hayman and Paul Heimel renewed a contract with OnSolve, the company that provides the “CodeRED Reverse-911 System.”

CodeRED sends early warnings using phone calls, email, social media sites and text messaging. Residents of Potter County are encouraged to visit pottercountypa.net and click on the CodeRED logo to enroll their contact information. There is no fee. Additional information is also available at 274-8900, extension 501.

Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Paul Heimel and Robert Rossman continue to seek volunteers willing to serve on any of several county authorities, commissions and advisory boards. In an effort to broaden diversity, geographic representation and background knowledge, the Board of Commissioners periodically issues call for volunteers. Goal is to build a roster of qualified individuals who have a willingness to serve. As vacancies arise or incumbents’ terms expire, the commissioners will rely on that these rosters to determine potential appointees for agencies such as:

Potter County Planning Commission. Administers subdivision and land use/development regulations; countywide comprehensive planning; regional advocacy on transportation funding priorities and other initiatives; GIS services; reliable resource/liaison for township and borough governments.

Potter County Redevelopment Authority. Economic development; support services for business and industry; administration of federal/state grants and loans for economic development.

Potter County Housing Authority. Administration of programs meeting needs for safe, healthy and affordable housing.

Potter County Human Services. Multiple advisory boards to guide administrators on meeting local social service needs.

Potter County Solid Waste Authority. Operation of transfer station/recycling center in Gold; administration of state-approved solid waste management/flow ordinance.

Potter County Hospital Authority. Public agency assisting UPMC Cole in acquisition of funds for capital improvements and implementation of long-term planning objectives.

Farmland Preservation Board. Responsible for purchase of development rights to preserve agricultural land.

Local Emergency Planning Committee. Coordinates activities of firefighters, emergency medical services, fire police and related responders; liaison with Potter County Department of Emergency Services for training, funding opportunities, drills/exercises to test preparedness.

Those wishing to be considered for appointment should contact Danielle Gietler, executive secretary to the Potter County Commissioners, at 814-274-8290, ext. 207 or dgietler@pottercountypa.net.

Jay Dick, a senior director with Americans for the Arts (AFA), joined Thursday night’s session remotely. In the foreground are members of Potter County’s delegation attending an AFA training session in Denver, from left, Paul Heimel, Arthur Metzger and Tim Walck. Also speaking to the group was Sarah Merritt, representing the Pa. Council on the Arts.

Resurrection of the Potter County Arts Council was among the goals established during a brainstorming session Thursday evening at the Gunzburger Building. It was the first local gathering following Potter County’s selection as one of six locations in the nation for a yearlong pilot project to create a vibrant arts culture that can support community and economic development. The “Creative Counties Placemaking Challenge: Arts & Culture as an Economic Driver” initiative is a project of the Americans for the Arts (AFA). Potter County’s project involves the use of schools, libraries, artisans, local leaders, businesses, galleries/museums and volunteers.

About 25 invited guests participated in Thursday’s roundtable, representing businesses, libraries, schools, tourist marketing, historic preservation, county government, arts/culture centers and multiple forms of the arts — music, theater, fiber arts, artisan crafts and others. The group reviewed a draft strategic plan that was developed after Potter County’s delegation of Paul Heimel, Arthur Metzger and Tim Walck attended an AFA workshop in Denver. Among its elements:

Potter County’s overarching goals

• to reverse population loss and rising median age;
• to make Potter County more appealing to those who live here, those who are looking to relocate to a rural community, and those who left Potter County and might consider returning;
• to use the arts as part of a broader strategy for community and economic development.

So what’s next?

• Assembling a steering committee to draft and implement a work plan. Contact potential partners and advisors to apprise them of the mission.
• Resurrect the Potter County Arts Council.
• Survey local school students and young adults to learn more of their expectations or preferences to make local communities more appealing.
• Investigate potential sources of funding and technical assistance/consulting.
• Continue to collaborate with the Americans for the Arts and project partners to fully maximize Potter County’s engagement.
• Continue research into best practices/successful rural models.
• Develop communication tools to apprise and engage potential partners and volunteers.

Each of the other five national pilot projects is working on other strategies that could also benefit Potter County. These include:

• Greenbriar County, W. Va., using the arts to promote rehabilitation, healing and recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
• Puna Community, Hawaii, employing the arts to address poverty and strengthen a sense of community and appreciation for the local culture and environment.
• LaCrosse County, Wisc., integrating the arts with other activities to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on rural communities.
• Perry County, Ohio, using the arts to deepen appreciation for, and protection of, outdoor recreation and the environment.
• Van Buren County, Mich., addressing mental illness and physical well-being with the arts, involving the court system, local governments and other partners.