TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Clinton County Veterans Affairs Director Todd Warner served as the keynote speaker for the 2023 Hometown Hero Banner Ceremony. Warner’s last day in the role will be June 26.

LOCK HAVEN — After just over four years spending his retirement assisting the veterans of Clinton County, Veterans Affairs Director Todd Warner will be leaving his position at the end of June.

At its voting session this week, the board of commissioners accepted Warner’s resignation, effective June 26. He will leave the VA office in the hands of incoming director, Jeff Croak, and Service Officer Harry Williams.

After accepting Warner’s resignation, the commissioners asked him to speak about his time with the county.

Warner thanked everyone within the county government for their dedication and willingness to assist his office in a quick, efficient and respectful manner.

Though he didn’t name each individual, he noted he would always remember them.

“The efficiency, the responsiveness, the professionalism that every one we have worked with is just fabulous,” he said.

He noted veterans in Clinton County receive over $13 million each year in benefits through the VA’s office.

“That number is only increasing because some other service organizations are maybe not as effective or as well staffed and can’t handle the volume of benefits we handle,” he said. “We have more people that live in Clinton County coming out of the woodwork, if you will, and transferring to our office.”

He further noted 42 percent of resident veterans have a VA service connected illness and/or injury and receive some level of compensation — whether on the lower end at about $180 a month or the highest at $5,000.

“No other county among the 67 in Pennsylvania has more than 39 percent of their veterans receive these benefits,” he said. “That’s not me or Jeff, that’s the sacrifice and service of the people in the county.”

He further said 86 percent, or just a bit over, of the resident veterans use the VA healthcare system for a medical need. Across the state, it’s typically 48.5 percent in other counties.

Reflecting on his time as director, Warner said he is thankful for the time spent here.

“I was blessed to find all of you by accident. It was a great day here for me in February 2022 when I got to stand here at this podium. And it’s a great day today,” he said.

He further noted he’ll still be around, attending events and volunteering for the VA’s office.

He said the county is in good hands with Croak and Williams.

“When I leave, this office will be better positioned than ever before,” he said. “The veterans in this county are blessed to have those guys leading the way forward for the VA office here and those (veterans) fully understand and know they’re blessed to have the county team.”

Commissioners Jeff Snyder and Angela Harding both offered Warner thanks.

“It’s been a great four years. We agree you’re leaving us in good hands. Thank you for putting Clinton County on the map, so to speak, and we’ll certainly get you on the volunteer list,” Snyder said.

Harding spoke on the amazing work Warner’s office has done.

“We really appreciate you having found us and spending some of your retirement with us,” she said.