Potter County Commissioners Schedule Town Meetings

The Potter County Commissioners will hold another series of public “town meetings” in communities throughout the county in the coming weeks.

Commissioners Doug Morley, Susan Kefover and Paul Heimel will begin the evening visits in Austin and Northern Potter next week. Complete schedule is as follows (all meetings at 7 pm):

–Wednesday, Nov. 3, Austin Area School.

–Thursday, Nov. 4, Northern Potter High School.

–Monday, Nov. 8, Roulette Firehall.

–Wednesday, Nov. 10, Galeton Area School.

–Monday, Nov. 15, Oswayo Valley High School.

–Tuesday, Nov. 16, Coudersport Area Elementary School.

Communication between county officials, community leaders and local citizens is especially important in this era of limited financial resources, the commissioners said in announcing the meeting schedule.

“It’s important that we have a clear understanding of the issues our constituents are facing,” said Morley, the board’s chairman. “More specifically, we need to get a better sense of the needs and the priorities of each of our communities. We are in a critical position to interact with regional, state and federal agencies to advocate for local community needs.”

Local communities also face new challenges and opportunities as a result of the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry. These issues will also be discussed.

Format will be informal. Following brief presentations from each of the commissioners, the floor will be open to questions and a roundtable discussion of issues affecting the county and/or local communities.

Although the meetings are open to all, the commissioners are especially encouraging attendance by residents of the school district where each meeting is being held.