NEWS

Grateful for the opportunity, but no easy task.

That sums up the way Pennsylvania College of Technology baseball coach Chris Howard views his team’s upcoming United East postseason playoffs.

“We will have to play our best baseball regardless of who we play. Harrisburg, Abington and  Lancaster Bible are all very good programs. It will be a well-earned championship for whoever wins,” Howard said.

Summer Story Hour and SummerQuest registration is open! Please register your child via the Google Form links below or come into the S.W. Smith Memorial Public Library at 201 E Maple Street in Port Allegany for assistance. Registration ends June 3, 2023.

Summer Learning Program Dates: June 14-July 19

Summer Story Hour (birth to graduated Kindergarten 2023):

Wednesdays at 10am, must be accompanied by an adult

https://forms.gle/eL5S6t9QYAqoB1QJ9

SummerQuest: (graduated First Grade 2023-age 12):

Wednesdays at 2pm

https://forms.gle/ZineN6oxSdUMQru4A

Watch the library’s Facebook page, Instagram page, and website for information on more free summer learning programs for teens and adults!

swsmithlibrary.org

Senator Cris Dush 

On May 4, I had the opportunity to spend the day visiting both Potter and McKean counties.

My first stop was a tour of Morgan Advanced Materials (AMT) in Coudersport which featured an informative PowerPoint presentation on the company’s unique history and present-day facility locations.

Originally established as Pure Carbon in 1959, Morgan AMT currently has facilities operating in Saint Mary’s, Pennsylvania, Dunn, North Carolina and Atlacomulco, Mexico.

With more than 500 employees, Morgan AMT offers very competitive wages, such as a starting salary of $22.17 per hour at the Saint Mary’s plant after a probationary period is completed.

Our tour of the Coudersport facility continued with several impressive demonstrations from electrical discharge machining, pressure less sintering, and the use of two different carbons to make products lighter.

We also observed the process of producing armor products, including a side ceramic bullet proof vest. Other impressive demonstrations included a 1,380 ton press, an armored truck and trailer for product delivery, and the engineering of robots to move parts from molding turntables to the CNC lathe.

It was truly our pleasure to see such innovation and technology right here in God’s Country. These life-saving products are not just amazing in how they are made, but the purposes they are being made for.

We are extremally proud to have Morgan AMT operating in the 25th District as a significant contributor to our local economy.

Long-time business-leader and volunteer Jack Emrick was recognized this week by the Allegany County Board of Legislators for his contributions to the community.

Emrick was joined by his wife Donna, brother Bill Emrick, and District III legislators Adam Cyr (Bolivar), Dwight Fanton (Willing), and Debra Root (Scio), and presented with Board Resolution 161-23, which detailed his numerous efforts and accomplishments in both Steuben and Allegany counties.

He is committed to the goals of the YMCA of the Southern Tier, and currently serves on its Association Executive Committee, as Director of the Association Board, and is Chair of the Wellsville YMCA Advisory Committee. Emrick also serves on the UR Jones Memorial Hospital Campaign Executive Committee, which leads fundraising efforts for the hospital’s renovation and expansion project.

He has been a long and active member of both the Scio Methodist Church and the KonXions Methodist Church, with duties including Chair of the Administrative Council, auditing, and as a member of the Finance Committees. When called upon, he serves as substitute pastor.

His prominence in the local business community has led to membership and leadership posts in the Hornell Chamber of Commerce, Hornell Area United Businesses, Hornell Rotary Club, and the Arkport Exchange Club. In Scio, he committed himself to work on the Fairlawn Cemetery Board, Library Board, and as a t-ball and little league coach.

Emrick thanked his wife Donna for her support over their 40 years of marriage, and left those in attendance with a parting thought. “Have you ever impacted someone’s life so much that 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 years after you’re gone, they will love you as much then, if not more, than the day you died? If you have, then I think you’ve achieved the ultimate accomplishment life can offer.”

“I just hope that with the life I’ve led, and from my involvement in these clubs and organizations, that somewhere, someday, somebody will remember me and say ‘He made a difference in my life.’”

The 2023 Port Allegany Wine Walk raised $7750 which has been donated to local youth sports programs.  This year’s Wine Walk featured ten wineries hosted by ten businesses including The Allegheny Cellars Winery at Baxter Hardware, Triple Nickel Distillery at Kallenborn’s Pine Valley; Brokenstraw Valley Winery at Mid-Town Motel; Laurel Mountain Winery at Trail’s End Realty; Twisted Vine Winery at Olson-Tenglund, Inc; Bear Creek Wines at A Stitch in Time; Uncle D’s Sassy Glass Winery at Neighborhood School of Dance; Sugar Bush Winery at Karen’s  Styling Salon; Little Mountain Winery at GLC; and The Winery at Wilcox at Port Notary Service with Shirley Johnson and Kim Nelson, Realtor.  Registration for the event was held at the Port Allegany Moose Lodge 460.   

The Wine Walk was sponsored by Olson-Tenglund, Inc, Ardagh Group, St. Gabriels Catholic Women’s Club, Pitbull Construction, Carlson Dental Associates, Mountain Laurel Federal Credit Union, Shop ‘n Save, Fink Law Office, Port Allegany Pharmacy, Baxter, P.H.E. LLC; Switzer Funeral Home, Schott Associates Eye Care, Port Allegany Chiropractic, County Lines, Bayline Insurance Agency, McCourt Label and the Port Allegany Lions Club. 

Proceeds went to (pictured left to right) Youth Basketball representative Kerry Hawver; Youth Soccer representatives Aaron Clark and Nicole Parish; Youth Football representative Jeremy Morey; Baseball and Softball representative Ashlee Fillhart; and Youth Cheerleader representative Dixie Gay.  Also pictured are organizers of the Wine Walk, George and Susan Riley.  A check was also presented to Junior Wrestling representative Brandon Bliss who was unavailable for the photo. 

In the past five years, the Wine Walk has contributed almost $20,000 to local organizations including $4,000 to the Star Hose Fire Company #1; $2,200 to the Community Pool/Recreation Authority even though there was no walk that year due to COVID; $6,000 to PAAS; $6,500 to the S. W. Smith Library and the $7,750 given to Youth Sports this year.  

Registration now open for July 27 Dinner & Awards to be held in Punxsutawney

The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. (PA Wilds Center) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Champions of the PA Wilds Awards.  The 2023 Champions are –

• Artisan of the Year: Sue Morris
• Best Brand Ambassador: New Trail Brewing Company
• Business of the Year: Highland Chocolates
• Conservation Stewardship: Kelly Williams
• Event of the Year: Potter-Tioga Maple Weekend
• Great Design: Clearly Ahead Development’s River’s Landing Event Center
• Great Places: Cook Forest Sensory Trail
• Inspiring Youth (Individual): Alex Luckenbill
• Inspiring Youth (Organization): Allegheny Mountain Chapter, Trout Unlimited
• Outstanding Leader: Erick Coolidge – Tioga County Commissioner
• PA Wilds Planning Team Member of the Year: Dan Glotz – Warren County Planner

The winners will be honored at the 2023 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards, to be held on Thursday, July 27.

The Champion of the Pennsylvania Wilds Awards celebrate individuals, organizations, communities and businesses that are making significant contributions to grow and sustainably develop the outdoor recreation economy and nature tourism in the Pennsylvania Wilds. There are nine award categories open for public nominations. Nominations for 2023 awards were due by April 3.

My name is Kevin Siska and I am a Republican candidate for Potter County Sheriff.  I have been in various facets of law enforcement for 28 years. I worked in a maximum security, state prison in Alaska. Later, while employed by the Juneau Police Dept. in Juneau, AK, I held positions as a Sergeant in Patrol, Investigations, and Administration. I served as a supervisor in Patrol and Investigations.

I am currently a Deputy with the Potter County Sheriff’s Department and have been employed in that capacity for seven years. 

I am the only candidate with law enforcement experience.  Along with that experience, I have the knowledge and training to make the transition to Sheriff seamless.  While working for the Juneau Police Department we took great pride in working well with other agencies and being responsive to the area residents.  I was taught to treat people fairly and with respect. I have always lived by those standards and will continue to do so as your sheriff.

I am currently a Certified Deputy with the Pennsylvania Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training Board. From the time I am sworn in as Sheriff, I will be able to not only tend to the administrative duties of the Sheriff but be able to assist with all the other duties handled by the deputies.  When in a department that has only four full time sworn positions at full staffing levels, being able to assist with daily duties is beneficial.  Currently the Department is operating with only 2 full time and 1 part time positions filled.  It then becomes a necessity not a luxury for the Sheriff to be able to assist with daily tasks.

If elected, I look forward to continuing my service to the residents of Potter County as the new Sheriff.  I have the necessary qualifications and experience to perform all the duties of Sheriff immediately upon taking office. It will be my privilege and honor to continue to serve the people of Potter County as the new Sheriff.    

Please remember to vote for Kevin M. Siska on May 16^th. As a Republican candidate, I am asking those who are Democrats and do not have a Democratic candidate on the ballot to please examine my qualifications and write me in on the Democratic Ballot.  Thank you for all your continuing support.  Remember to vote on Tuesday, May 16^th!

Paid For By The Candidate

Endorsed by Kathy S. Schroeder, Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts Experience Matters

Thank you to all of those who signed my petition and have taken the time to speak with me, it means the absolute world to me.  I will be listed as 2 on the ballot but hope to be number 1 in your hearts.  It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your Deputy Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts over the past five years.   

During my years of service, I have had the opportunity to be trained on the job by our current Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts, Kathy Schroeder.  It takes years to learn the complex systems used in our office for civil, criminal and orphans’ court filings.  I know the systems, duties and responsibilities of the Prothonotary/Clerk of Court inside and out.

 I am very well versed in criminal and civil procedure, which is an absolute must for this position.  I also have a heart for public service and a deep love for this community.  The most important job we have is serving the public.  

 Over the years I have had the opportunity to get to know a lot of you personally and professionally.  I want to continue to serve the citizens of Potter County, without any disruption in service.  There will be no growing pains or learning curves, as I currently assist our Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts on a daily basis.

 I am running on the Republican ticket, but I would welcome and encourage democratic write-in votes.  I look forward to being your next Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts and would appreciate your support and vote in the upcoming primary election.  Vote experience, honesty and dedication.  Vote for Ashley Gledhill.

Paid For By The Candidate

ELECT FOR POTTER COUNTY SHERIFF

My name is Angela Milford, and I am a Republican candidate running for the position of Potter County Sheriff. I was born and raised and have worked in this area my entire life. I have worked for Potter County government for approx. 29 years in the jail. I was a Corrections Officer and was moved up into management of Deputy Warden and now Warden for approx. 14 years of that. I work very closely with the Sheriff’s Department and am very familiar with their role. I am being endorsed by the current Sheriff, Glenn Drake. He has expressed to me his desire and intention, should I be elected, to stay on with the department in a part-time capacity, which will assist me in my transition into this new job. The role of Sheriff has many different aspects with much of it being administrative and delegating other functions to deputies. I do some parts of the administrative tasks already in assistance to their department such as coordinating transports, going on transport, taking care of extradition requirements and many other tasks. I am confident I will be able to jump into this position and take it on. I do understand and know there will be training that I need to attend and look forward to learning. I believe I am the best candidate for this position as I am motivated by a desire to help people. I am firm but I am also fair. I hope you will vote for me as your next Sheriff. I would appreciate my democratic friends to write me in also. Thank you.
Paid for by the candidate.

James Fries, 52, of 224 West Corydon St., Bradford, passed away Sunday, May 7, 2023, at Olean General Hospital.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.  

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Current Work Spans From Burtville To Coudersport

Coudersport, PA – With work continuing on a Route 6 project in Potter County, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is providing an update. Work to remove guide rail and stabilize shoulders through the work zone has completed. The zone stretches from Port Allegany (McKean County line) to Coudersport.

Starting Tuesday, May 9, temporary traffic signals will be set to enforce an alternating traffic pattern at the bridge spanning Trout Brook. The bridge is about 5 miles west of Coudersport. Structure repairs will then commence, with an expected completion of July 1 for those repairs. Once structure repairs are complete, the temporary signals will be removed, and roadway flagging will be used for the rest of the project.

Later in May, roadwork activities will get underway, including roadway resurfacing, pipe replacements, inlets, guide rail improvements, box culvert repairs, outlet protection, pavement markings, and miscellaneous items.

PennDOT expects this work to be complete by the end of October. Roadwork across this section of Route 6 will improve the condition of the roadway and result in smoother, safer travel for area motorists. Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. of State College, PA, is the contractor for this $7.6 million job. PennDOT reminds drivers to use caution in work zones, obey posted speed limits, and always buckle up.

I would like to take this opportunity to announce my candidacy for Potter County Sheriff.  I lived in Potter County for several years after attending college and then moved to Alaska to pursue a career in law enforcement.  I started working as a Correctional Officer in a maximum-security prison in Juneau, AK for about 21 months.

In January of 1986, I was hired by the Juneau Police Department as a Patrol Officer.  Approximately 4 years later, I was assigned to the Investigations Unit for approximately 3 years.

I was promoted back to the Patrol Unit as a sergeant where I supervised a patrol team for approximately 6 years.  I was assigned back to the Investigations Unit, where I supervised major investigations for 5 years.  As the Investigations Sergeant, I also oversaw two drug enforcement officers assigned to the Southeast Alaska Drug Task Force.  During my time as a sergeant, I participated in numerous supervisory training classes.

My final assignment for the Department was in an administrative position where I restructured the Department’s training requirements and training schedule.

While employed by the Juneau Police Department, I had several ancillary duties. I was an Accident Reconstructionist for 16 years, and I was a member of the SWAT Team for 11 years.  I held certifications from the FBI, NRA and the State of Alaska as a firearms instructor, and I was a certified Emergency Vehicle Operations instructor.  I held an Advanced Police Officer certification from the State of Alaska and was awarded the Police Medal of Honor in 1993.

In the year 2000, I had the privilege of attending the Southwest Law Enforcement Institute’s, Law Enforcement Management College located in Plano, Texas.  I successfully completed and graduated from the intensive 2 month long college level management course geared specifically toward law enforcement management.

After nearly 22 years in Law enforcement, I retired and my wife, Lynetta and I returned to Potter County to raise our twin girls.

I have served Potter County as a Deputy Sheriff with the Potter County Sheriff’s Department since 2016. I am currently certified by the Pennsylvania Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training Board.  I am also certified by the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission as a Firearms Instructor.  I have a clear understanding of the duties of the Sheriff Department. I would be honored to serve the people of Potter County as your Sheriff.  Early in my career, I was taught to treat people fairly and with respect.  As your Sheriff, I will continue to do so.

The time I served in the corrections environment will aid me in this position as the Sheriff sits on the Potter County Jail Board.  My time as a Police Sergeant and management experience will benefit me in carrying out the duties of the Sheriff.

My family attends the Gold Church where I have served as Moderator, Trustee and Chairperson for the building committee while building our new church.  I am a coach for the Black Forest Youth Trap Team and have done so for the last several years.

Thank you for considering me for sheriff. I am the only candidate with 28 years experience in law enforcement, of which the last, almost 7 years have been with the Potter County Sheriff’s Department.  I am the only candidate that is currently certified with the State of Pennsylvania and will not have to attend a 19 week, residential academy to become a certified Sheriff. I look forward to continuing my service to the people of Potter County.  Please vote KEVIN SISKA for Potter County Sheriff in the Republican Primary Election on May 16^th. I would also welcome and encourage all write-in Democratic votes. Again, Thank You!

Paid For By The candidate

Potter County Commissioner Nancy J. Grupp has announced her intentions to run for re-election on the Republican ballot in the May 16 Primary Election.

During her first term in office she served as the chair of the Board of Commissioners, County Salary Board, and County Retirement Board. She has served in an unpaid capacity as Potter County Director of Emergency Services, saving the county thousands of dollars each year and is a member of the county’s Aging Advisory Board.

During her tenure, Commissioner Grupp has also spearheaded improvements in county operations, including technology upgrades and updates to personnel and human resources policies. She was also chosen by her peers to chair the executive board of the regional community and economic development agency, North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission.

Some of the current board’s accomplishments under her leadership have included:

— Creating programs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to support small businesses along with fire and ambulance services and other non-profits that were negatively impacted during the shutdown.

— Facilitating COVID relief grants to those significantly impacted in the hospitality industry, many of which would not have survived without those funds.

— Adoption of a countywide Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) ordinance, making available county tax breaks for businesses building or expanding operations to create jobs and support economic development.

— Improving services for Potter County veterans by expanding the Veterans Affairs Director position to full-time, giving military veterans much-needed assistance in accessing the benefits and services to which they are entitled.

— Supporting a collaborative effort to bring cost-free transportation to veterans who require rides to medical appointments.

— Repurposing federal grant revenue totaling more than $500,000 to support infrastructure projects in Genesee, Galeton and Ulysses to date.

Fiscal responsibility has been a high priority for the board under Commissioner Grupp’s leadership. While improving services in multiple ways, the board has not raised real estate taxes, which she considers a major accomplishment. Grupp is a lifelong resident of Potter County, has 30 years of experience working in the finance industry, and has served as a township auditor and secretary/treasurer, as well as president for the Potter County Township Officials Association.

She and her husband, Lynn, live in Coudersport.

Commissioner Grupp states, “Rather than engaging in extreme politics, if re- elected I pledge to continue to bring common sense leadership to Potter County. Thank you for your support.”

Paid For By The Candidate