The consolidation of Cameron County municipalities into one
government won’t go before the voters until November’s general
election, county officials said Monday.

However, that hasn’t stopped a large contingent of people from
running for county commissioner seats – a position that would be
abolished within a couple of years if the consolidation were to
occur.

“Speaking for myself, I’m disappointed it’s not on the May
ballot,” Commissioner Tony Moscato said. “But, the voters need to
be able to get their arms around this and have more
information.”

The consolidation question – which has never been done before in
Pennsylvania by a county – was originally slated to be put before
voters in the upcoming May primary election; that has since been
nixed to give officials and residents more time to sort through the
details.

If enacted, the county’s municipalities would meld into one
under a Home Rule Charter. The new government – which would
eliminate several county and municipal offices and be run by a
nine-member governmental body – would likely come into existence in
January of 2010.

“It’s a long process and is sort of on the back burner right
now,” Moscato said. “But, I can say pretty confidently that the
voters of Cameron County that I’ve spoken with definitely do want
the opportunity to vote on this. I feel confident it will be on the
ballot in November. That’s what we’re shooting for.”

That hasn’t stopped 10 people from running for commissioner in
the May primary. Only one of those people, Glen Fiebig, is a
current commissioner. Moscato announced earlier that he would not
be seeking another term, while Commissioner Pat Rodgers said he
wouldn’t be seeking another term for personal reasons.

Both were surprised by the number of people running for the
board, of which the winners would only likely serve a two-year term
before the consolidation would kick in.

“I am surprised,” Moscato said. “I think perhaps it’s true with
most rural counties. A lot of people have an impression that we
just show up to a couple of meetings a month and get paid. There’s
a little more to it than that.

“If nothing else, through this whole process (consolidation), I
hope people get a better idea of how county government works. It
has evolved a lot in the 16 years I’ve been involved.”

Moscato said the consolidation issue didn’t play a part in his
decision to not run for re-election.

“I know in my heart the time is right. I’ve learned a lot, met a
lot of wonderful people. Who knows, if the consolidation issue
doesn’t work out, in 8 or 12 years you might see my name on the
ballot again. I won’t rule out being out of politics forever.”

Rodgers also said the consolidation had nothing to do with not
running again, adding “I feel strongly, as does Tony, that should
this (consolidation) pass in November, I will be there to help in
any way I can. If we want change in Cameron County, this is the
only way to do it within a short period of time.

“We are going to have to do something. The cost of county
government has increased immensely just in the 3 1/2 years I’ve
been commissioner. There is just so much you can do with a clear
conscience in raising people’s taxes. It eventually all comes back
to the property owner.”

Rodgers said the commissioners often hear about why they don’t
do certain things to bring change. “With the county code you’re
restricted. The easiest way is to do a Home Rule Charter. Our
consultant (Alan Kugler of Pennsylvania Futures) has worked through
this and given us a real hometown form of government we can all
live with.”

As it stands, the county of roughly 5,600 residents has 32
elected officials. According to Rodgers, under the consolidation
plan, that figure would be brought down to nine people and a hired
executive director. Five county row officers would also be elected
under the proposed charter, including a coroner, district attorney,
sheriff, treasurer and another person to handle the duties of a
prothonotary, clerk of courts and register of wills.

“Nobody wants to see anybody out of a job. But, think about the
savings that could occur in a reduction of personnel.”

Rodgers said during the two-year transition period, a transition
team would work to establish various departments. There would also
be county-wide refuse pickup and road crews, while such areas as
Emporium would likely become a “service area” for police. Those in
a service area would pay for a particular service, in this case, a
police presence.

Moscato said the “financials” are the “real tell of the whole
thing … how much everybody is going to save.” He said as the
November election moves closer, more meetings will be held on the
subject.

“For a small county, we need to think of ourselves as
neighbors,” Rodgers said. “We are all in this together. If we can
do it on a county-wide level and be able to provide the services
and save money, everybody will benefit.”