RIDGWAY – Elk County Commissioner Christine Gavazzi announced
Tuesday that she will not seek re-election after her term expires
next year.

Gavazzi made the announcement during the regular meeting of the
commissioners.

“My husband Walter has been retired for several years and life
is always changing,” Gavazzi said. “It’s much more complicated than
it use to be.”

Gavazzi said she made the announcement now to give people who
might be interested in running for the office a chance to do some
research and to come in and talk to the commissioners about what
the position entails and what the daily duties are.

In addition to Gavazzi, the three-member board is comprised of
commissioners June Sorg and Dan Freeburg.

According to Gavazzi, she has been “blessed” with working with a
couple of good boards, starting in 1992 with Joe Koch and now with
Freeburg.

“I am very proud of what we have accomplished,” Gavazzi said.
“You can really accomplish a lot, but you have to work together
because fighting doesn’t get anything done.”

Gavazzi said her proudest achievement in the past 14 years has
been how the county’s buildings and property has been improved.

“When we came on board, the buildings were not in the best of
condition,” Gavazzi said. “They needed a lot of work. They’re not
our property, it belongs to the people. We feel right now the
buildings are in very good condition.”

The courthouse is currently in the middle of a boiler
replacement. Gavazzi feels that with just regular maintenance, the
county’s buildings should last for a very long time.

Meanwhile, Gavazzi also recognized the county’s employees.

“I have had the privilege of working with dedicated employees,”
Gavazzi said. “One person can’t do anything alone; it takes a team
of people. I will miss working with you people. But, life changes
and you have to adapt.”

For his part, Freeburg told Gavazzi “We certainly owe you a debt
of gratitude. When you do anything, you do it 100 percent.”

Officials said petitions for candidates for Gavazzi’s seat are
due in February at the Elk County Elections Office.