Marty Wilder  McKean County Commissioner

I was a journalist most of my life. For good or bad, it’s become part of who I am.

The job teaches you all things about government, for starters. You cover meetings but also have to pry answers out of recalcitrant politicians about things like, for instance, a tax increase. You then have to know about millage, public opinion, and people on a “fixed income.”

You also learn about the oil industry, how to make leek dip, criminals, the history of Bradford, and about a young man dying of cancer linked to asbestos. It teaches you a disturbing amount about human nature.

It’s a hard job, but it ends up teaching you things like integrity, honesty, and bravery. (And grammar, spelling and punctuation.)

Who knew it might also be perfect training to be a county commissioner?

I came to this place in time after retiring, a little early, as managing editor of The Bradford Era. I liked retirement! But then I got involved in a little group trying to “save” Bradford Hospital. It’s been several years.

We watched the sad dismantling of our maternity department, our operating room, our ICU. We were left with only 10 beds, an Emergency Department, and still remarkable outpatient services. We are glad to have what we still have … but it’s not enough.

We need a full-service hospital even if it’s a small one.

With little help or hope on the horizon, I decided maybe a political position would open some doors, provide some leverage, grant a reprieve to Bradford hospital.

Not only does a hospital add jobs to a community, it creates a tax base that helps the entire county. It’s a driver of economic development and helps local industry get and keep quality employees.

So here I am, on the other side of the press table and recently sworn in as a McKean County commissioner. I’ve learned that this is a big and complicated job with many working parts — a jail, a tax assessor, a recorder of deeds, an election office. And that’s just scratching the surface.

The card included with this post came from one of my supporters, who obviously has high hopes for my time in office. I’m not sure I can “save” anything — even a donkey — but I will try my best.

As a journalist, I had to be accountable for what a I wrote … but not for what I did. Now, I have people expecting me to perform, people I don’t want to disappoint.

And this comes at a time in America that can make of break rural areas. We have taken so many punches — loss of jobs, low wages, loss of population, loss of opportunity. Rural places need to be aggressive in reclaiming all we have lost over the last 20 years… and then some.

One other thing I’ve taken away from journalism is the ability to be transparent. I hope not to become one of those recalcitrant government officials who forget they are working for the people — not the other way around.

Come along for the ride. I will write as much as I can and help you understand the machinations that affect all our lives.

My biggest fear? Disappointing people. My biggest challenge? Trying not to swear.