By LAURA JAMESON

ljameson@lockhaven.com

LOCK HAVEN –After almost a year of searching, the City of Lock Haven has a new City Planner.

Abigail Roberts was hired and will begin work on June 10, City Manager Gregory Wilson said during Monday night’s city council meeting.

Roberts is a student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and will graduate with a degree in Community Planning and Development, Wilson said.

Former City Planner Leonora M. Hannagan who has been helping with the positions duties while they searched for a permanent hire will help train Rodgers, he said.

“She has experience with both the county and the regional planning offices (in Indiana) while she was down there,” he said.

She will also receive three years of training for the Community Development Block Grant which is required, he said.

“She brings some new ways of looking at things to some degree and new talents we haven’t used,” he continued. “She has some skills she has learned that will help us look at development in a different way than we have in the past.”

“We look forward to Abbey coming,” he said.

Roberts will be replacing former planner Maria Boulieau who resigned last July after taking a position as Clinton County’s voter registrar.

The city also hired a Director of Community Life.

Kasey Campbell, the current Downtown Lock Haven Inc. Manager, will begin working for the city on Monday, April 22.

Campbell will replace recreation director Jack Bailey who will be retiring at the end of the year after 45 years of service to the city.

Campbell will not only be in charge of the city’s summer recreation program as Bailey has.

She will also oversee and coordinate the summer concert series and the summer movie series as well as other events the city sponsors or participates in.

“We will work with Downtown Lock Haven as they transition to a new manager and as always we will work with Downtown Lock Haven to make sure that they’re as successful an organization as they deserve to be,” Wilson said.

Downtown Lock Haven Inc. President Robert Rolley said a special board meeting is planned today to begin the search for a new manager.

“We’re committed to moving forward and the full board is aware of this,” he said. “Change is good… this will strengthen our bond I think.”

OPEN CONTAINER

Council approved changes to the city’s open container law during its second reading through a 6-1 vote.

The changes were made due to requests from multiple local organizations over the years as well as Mayor William Baney to allow open containers of alcohol in public areas for certain events.

The changes include additions to as well as removal of certain wording in the ordinance, the biggest being to sections one and two.

The first section originally dealt with possession of an open container of alcohol whether on your person in a vehicle or in a vehicle in general.

The second section focused on if a person was consuming alcohol directly in a vehicle.

Section two was changed to focus on vehicles, whether a person is possessing or consuming of alcohol in a vehicle.

Section one now focuses on possessing or consuming alcohol in a public space.

Applicants will first need written permission from both the chief of police and the director of public works before it’s brought before council.

Even if council approves the request, the applicant must also show proof they received a special occasion permit or off premises catering permit from the state Liquor Control Board before they’re given full permission.

Councilman Steve Stevenson voiced his disagreement with the changes.

“I don’t think we can just pick and choose” who gets approval and who doesn’t, Stevenson said. “I can just see it spinning out of control.”