Former McKean County Sheriff Donald Morey heard 20-plus years’
of thanks over a couple of hours at the annual Lincoln Day dinner
Saturday night at The Bradford Club.

Morey introduced his family members attending the dinner, adding
some of them had driven more than 200 miles to be there with him as
he was honored by local and elected officials, co-workers and
friends.

U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., was on hand to congratulate
Morey, saying McKean County “is a better county, a better place,”
because of Morey’s service.

“You are a shining example of how (an elected official) should
serve,” Peterson told Morey.

Port Allegany Borough Manager Dick Kallenborn spoke about what
the McKean County Jail was like at the time Morey took over more
than 20 years ago. Kallenborn said that inmates at that time had
the freedom to leave the jail, get “a pizza and a six-pack of
beer,” and take it back to the jail.

“This is true,” Kallenborn laughed. “This is not an
exaggeration.” He said the 100-year-old jail had obvious security
and maintenance problems, and there was no McKean County Emergency
Dispatch Center (911).

Morey -ðwho was retiring from the Pennsylvania State Police
force when Kallenborn and a handful of other local officials asked
him to run for sheriff – was responsible for changing all that,
Kallenborn said.

Kallenborn said that he and many other McKean County citizens
felt it was a bad move to “separate the high sheriff from the
running of the jail.” Kallenborn added he hoped the powers that be
would reconsider that decision, otherwise the county would “pay a
tremendous price.”

Local attorney Daniel Hartle spoke on behalf of the McKean
County Bar Association, saying in dealing with the association,
Morey was “always professional.”

“I hope you and Pat (Morey’s wife) have a long and fruitful life
from here on out,” Hartle said.

Morey’s brother, Ron Morey, told a story that took place in 1958
near Coudersport -ða story about young men and fast cars -ðthat
spoke to their relationship and Ron Morey’s fondness for his
brother.

“There’s a lot in life that never gets said,” Ron Morey said.
“My brother is someone I looked up to a lot, and I don’t think he
ever really knew it. But I still do.”

Current McKean County Sheriff Brad Mason also took a turn at the
podium, congratulating Morey on his retirement.

“If there is anything you ever need, I hope you will just ask,”
Mason told Morey.

Mason went on to say the first day of county court after he took
over the sheriff’s duties, the county judge presiding that day
asked for the sheriff and Mason looked at the table where Morey
would normally be and all around before realizing the judge was
talking to him (Mason).

“You’ll always be the sheriff in my eyes,” Mason said. “And when
I see you, I will address you as such.”

Jury Commissioner and vice president of the local Republican
Committee Betty Comes told Morey he is “someone I (Comes) was
always proud to be associated with and someone who was always a
pleasure to be around.”

Letters of appreciation were also presented to Morey by
representatives of U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., U.S. Sen. Rick
Santorum, R-Pa., and state Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway. State
Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, and state Rep. Kathy Rapp,
R-Warren, also presented a joint letter of thanks to Morey.

The local GOP Committee also presented Morey with a Case knife,
adding another gift was forthcoming.