LOCK HAVEN - The Clinton County commissioners had a lot of good things to say about the county's school retirees at Thursday's meeting of the board.
That's because in the past year, those retirees managed to volunteer a huge number of hours to local services - So much so, that had they been paid, they would have received $958,668.
The members of the local chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees presented a mock check representing that cash and 44,000 hours of volunteer service, to highlight the group's commitment to continuing support of charitable activities after retirement.
The check was presented by PASR members Judy Glossner, a retired second grade teacher at Mill Hall Elementary School, and June Strouse, who was employed as a library assistant in the Porter Township Elementary School.
Like many other PASR members, Glossner devotes many hours visiting her local church members who are unable to attend Sunday sessions. Strouse has continued at the Porter Township school as a volunteer director of the library program.
Commissioner Pete Smeltz thanked the group for its important activity and said volunteerism plays a critical role in local society. Commissioner Joel Long said school retirees played a central role in the Tiger Den Playground project, from raising funds to pounding nails. Commissioner Jeff Snyder also offered his thanks and said he'd like a list of the organizations that benefit.
The PASR members said volunteers average about 308.4 hours a year statewide, and that school retirees - including teachers, administrators, experts, cafeteria workers and others - offer an astounding number of hours each year at volunteer programs, better than two and one-half times the state average for all professions.
The commissioners, in other matters:
The board approved a "locked-in" rate over two years for natural gas services from UGI Energy Services Inc. The commissioners said the move will save the county $28,000 over the period of the contract in comparison to the current contract.
The board approved advertising in the 2013 Clinton County Community Profile, which is funded by advertising and the Clinton County Economic Partnership. The board members approved the listing in the directory at a cost of $1,149.
The board approved a paperwork change in the Whiskey Run water supply project, representing the creation of a subcontract at no additional cost to the county or Suburban Water Authority.
Commissioner Snyder sought to dispel rumors that agencies listed for annual allocations would be required to schedule a meeting and justify their allocations this year. Snyder said the policies concerning allocations haven't change, although agencies and their representatives are always welcome to attend county meetings to explain their services.
Cindy Love, the new director of Clinton County Community Connections, offered the board an invitation to visit the facility, and explained a bit about the services provided by that agency.
The board noted that a survey will be conducted on the properties in Renovo designated as the site of a new Renovo Area Magisterial District office. The board is looking at a beginning construction date in late August or early September.
The commissioners reappointed Susan Hanna and James Maguire and appointed Dan Welch to the Clinton County Loan Administration Board, all to one-year terms.
