Elliott Weiss, a retired Williamsport attorney, announced he is seeking the Democratic party nomination for Lycoming County commissioner in the May 21 primary.

The first responsibility of a county commissioner is to promote economic growth through fiscally responsible actions, he said.

“We have to do all we can to balance the budget without a tax increase,” Weiss said. “We have to grow our economy by attracting new businesses. We have to promote tourism throughout the county, not merely in Williamsport. We have to encourage local development of our agricultural resources.”

Dow Jones provides a service that matches businesses looking to move or open new locations with qualifying communities, Weiss said. Lycoming County used to be part of that initiative and needs to be part of it again, he said.

“In terms of tourist promotion, our interest currently is in the Williamsport area and I think we ought to expand that,” he said.

For example, the Pine Creek Trail is one of the best bicycling trails in the state, if not the nation, said Weiss, an avid bicyclist. Other areas throughout the county are rich in hunting, fishing and other recreational activities that can be better promoted to attract people, he said.

“These are areas we can expend funds to attract people,” he said.

Agriculture also deserves more attention as the second largest industry in the county, he added.

“It’s depreciated, we’ve ignored it,” Weiss said, “but it’s an important part of our lives.”

Weiss served on city council for six years, from 1990-96, and is a member of the Lycoming County Democratic Committee.

During his tenure, Weiss focused especially on the city’s first responders and public safety, and strived to be fiscally conservative, he said.

“First responders play an important part of life in Lycoming County and we have to be supportive of them,” he said.

Weiss, of Elliott B. Weiss and Associates, was an attorney in Williamsport for more than 40 years. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1976 and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and Middle District Bankruptcy Bar.

He also participated in the charter class for Leadership Pennsylvania.

He is a member of several nonprofit organizations, including Lodge 106 Free and Accepted Masons, the Williamsport Scottish Rite and Bottle Run Grange 1301.

Weiss serves as president of the Lycoming County Brotherhood Alliance and voluntarily has served on the boards of multiple organizations such as the American Red Cross, Hope Enterprises, Lycoming County Child Day Care Center and the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.