Trending
LOCK HAVEN -- Jeff Snyder is looking to secure a spot in the November election for his third term as Clinton County Commissioner.
Snyder, who is still serving his second term, has held a seat on the board since 2016.
Snyder is chair of the Clinton County Building and Grounds Committee and vice-chair of the Clinton County Commissioners. He also serves on a number of boards and authorities: Aging Advisory Council, Children & Youth Liaison, Court Security Advisory Board, STEP, Safety Committee, SEDA-COG, Tourist Promotion Agency, Local Emergency Planning Committee, Advocates for a Drug Free Tomorrow, Board of Assessment Appeals, Election Board, Joinder Board, Prison Board, Renovo Community Trade Association, SEDA-COG Gas Cooperative, PA State Land Tax Fairness Coalition, Fireman's Association, Revolving Loan Board, Clinton County Justice Advisory Board, Re-Entry Housing Planning Committee and the Victims of Crime Act Funding Committee.
He is a member of the Lock Haven Elks Lodge #182, La Fayette Lodge #0199, a life member of the Woolrich Volunteer Fire Company, St. Luke's United Church of Christ in Flemington, serving as Finance Chairman, and the Lock Haven Kiwanis Cub, serving as club president in 2019.
Snyder has been a resident of Clinton County since 1962. He graduated from Lock Haven High School in 1974 and from Lock Haven University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He previously owned and operated the Chatham Run Feed Mill for 33 years and served on the Keystone Central School Board for 20 years.
The Express recently asked Snyder six questions regarding himself and issues the county is facing. These were his responses:
Q: Why have you chosen to run for a seat on the board of commissioners?
Snyder: I am running for re-election because I live here. I have raised a family here. My grandchildren live and attend school here. I love Clinton County and everything that it has to offer. I am currently serving the county as a full -time commissioner. I am a great problem solver and willing to work with anyone who is willing to work with me for the betterment of Clinton County.
Q: Our rural county is facing significant challenges: Population decline, reduction of services, worker shortages. How would you try to tackle each of these issues as a commissioner?
Snyder: As our population declines our area is experiencing a smaller work force, a shrinking tax base to help fund services and fewer families. Our children need a quality education to help them become the workforce of the future as our seniors retire. Many of our young people leave to seek employment elsewhere which adds to our population decline.
The county needs to implement a task force to investigate what employee skill sets are required by area manufacturers and businesses. Working together with area schools and the university, we need to provide diversified quality education for our young people to include STEM, Computer Technology, service jobs and vocational training in order to fill local jobs for which employers cannot currently find workers. We also need to actively re-train older workers with new skills. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals, once in the workforce, have dropped out and are now not seeking jobs. We need to reach out to those individuals and create incentives to have them rejoin the workforce and make Clinton County an attractive place to work, live, raise families and recreate here.
The Economic Partnership is working hard to attract new industries to the area but many require a trained workforce. The Tourism and Recreation Board is bringing in tourists to enjoy our parks, trails and abundant outdoor activities which create jobs.
Q: The county also is losing life-saving emergency medical services due to a lack of qualified EMTs, along with some financial strain among ambulance and EMS services. What ideas do you have to alleviate this critical issue?
Snyder: The commissioners have had several meetings with the EMS task Force. The main problem that has been identified is the lack of personnel. Just like most service organizations people are not getting involved in fire companies and EMS services like they have in the past. So, after much discussion, the only viable solution that we think will ensure that trained medical personnel will be available when an emergency response is needed is to have that position be compensated. The municipalities have the ability to support this effort and we need to have discussions with municipal leaders to explain their role in this critical issue and the need for them to join together to solve it.
Q: Will you support continued development of recreation trails, including the Bald Eagle Valley Trail, if elected?
Snyder: Yes, in 2019, I created the Clinton County Recreation Advisory Committee to deal with county wide recreational issues. In addition to the Bald Eagle Valley Trail, we are also working on walking trails, ATV trails, the Mill Hall pool and waterway trails. We are sponsoring the Canoe/Kayak National Competition here on the river in Woodward Township in August.
Q: What qualities do you possess that you believe make you the most qualified for the position?
Snyder: I am the most experienced of any of the candidates. I have established a solid base of networking that if I don't know the answer, I know who to call. I have a positive attitude, I am a good problem solver and I know how to get the job done. I have an open door. My cell phone number is on my card. You can reach me and I always return phone calls.
Q: Why should voters consider you when they visit the polls on May 16?
Snyder: Clinton County Government offers many services to its citizens. I have worked hard to make those services as cost effective and efficient as possible. There are many positive things happening in Clinton County. I have had a hand in quite a few of those things that have a positive impact. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of Clinton County and humbly ask for your continued support and vote on May 16.