COUDERSPORT — A dedication will be held in Coudersport on Tuesday to honor a Potter County soldier who was killed in the line of duty during the Vietnam War.
Private Edwin F. Tubbs, known as Eddie by family and friends, lost his life less than five weeks after deployment to Vietnam with the 9th Infantry Division in December of 1968. He was the son of Russell Tubbs and Marie Tubbs-Baker.
Tubbs was fatally wounded near Dinh Tuong, South Vietnam while assisting a fellow soldier who had been injured on the battle field.
The bridge over the Allegheny River on Chestnut Street in downtown Coudersport, just two blocks from his childhood home, will be dedicated on Tuesday as the Private Edwin F. Tubbs Memorial Bridge, with attending dignitaries to include members of Tubbs’ family, State Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, and state Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway. Legislation was passed by the state house and senate to approve the dedication and approved by Gov. Tom Corbett.
Tubbs left behind a fiancée, Jane Marie Haviland of Emporium, and a brother, Robbie, who also served in Vietnam. Both have since passed. Among survivors today are his sister, Laura Tubbs Hemphill, stepfather, Robert Baker, and another brother, Russell “Junie” Tubbs.
Commissioners Susan Kefover and Paul Heimel recently attended a convention for the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP), where a number of pertinent issues were discussed. Part of the association’s platform for the coming year includes the push for state land tax equity, addressing funding issues involving the 911 system, attracting businesses and building the economies of communities in Pennsylvania and the future of the Impact Fees collected on unconventional wells and drilling operations.
The county budget will be available for review as of Dec. 4 at the commissioners office in the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport. While a tax increase of 0.5 mills is expected, the per capita tax will again be suspended. The half-mill change works out to approximately $11 per household per year.
A number of bids were entered by Kightlinger Motors and Stoltz of Coudersport for the county to purchase several vehicles for use by Potter County Human Services . Three vehicles are planned to be purchased: a four-door sedan, a van, and a handicapped accessible van. Decisions were tabled pending review by PCHS.
The next meeting of the Potter County Commissioners will be held on Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport. All county offices will be closed today and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving.
