COUDERSPORT — A ceremony is being organized in Coudersport to honor a fallen U.S. Navy pilot by naming a bridge in his honor.

Members of the Potter County Veterans Service Committee told the Potter County commissioners that a bridge dedication ceremony in honor of U.S. Navy Commander Philip F. Palmatier Jr. will be held Aug. 18 in Coudersport.

On Dec. 10, 1990, Palmatier was flying a TA-4 Skyhawk as part of a routine training mission about 85 miles northwest of Key West, Florida, when his plane collided with another TA-4. Both planes launched from the aircraft carrier USS Lexington. Palmatier, 40 at the time of his death, was serving as commanding officer of a training squadron from the Chase Field Naval Air Station in Texas at the time of the crash.

Palmatier was born in Nov. 4, 1950, to Alfreda and Philip Palmatier Sr. He graduated from Coudersport High School with honors and was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy.

The bridge carrying Coudersport’s Avenue A over the Allegheny River, in the neighborhood known locally as Rubbertown, will be dedicated in his honor following approval of legislation earlier this year.

Keynote speaker for the event will be Palmatier’s younger brother, Chris, who is also a Navy veteran. The ceremony is being organized by Coudersport’s American Legion Post 192 with assistance from the county Veterans Service Committee and the Potter County Honor Guard.

Last weekend’s Eliot Ness Fest was proclaimed a resounding success by organizers. The event drew large crowds, and many visitors reported that they enjoyed the festival and planned to return next year.

A new event is already being planned, in which the trial of infamous gangster Al Capone will be acted out, though in a shorter time period than the original. There will likely be multiple showings planned, as organizers believe the event will be popular. The script for the event is already being worked out, and more details will be released in the future. Some of the descendants of the so-called Untouchables are being assembled as well to take a role in future years’ festivals.

Commissioners approved Ordinance 1 of 2018, which will allow the county to borrow more than $3 million to upgrade the county’s 911 and emergency communication system. A bank proposal with favorable interest rate was approved at a prior meeting. The ordinance will be brought up for a final vote at the commissioners meeting to be held on Aug. 16.

Also approved was a bid for work on the ramp and stairway at the Potter County Jail, pending review to ensure the bid meets all specifications. Only one bid for the work was received from Miller and Richard Masonry. The stairs into the jail will be refurbished and an ADA-compliant ramp will be installed at a cost of $27,945.

Jeff Davidek of the C.S. McKee financial firm reported on the county’s retirement fund, saying that the plan continues to be fully funded, unlike pension plans in states and cities across the nation that will have to scramble in the future to provide benefits already promised to today’s workers.

Davidek discussed the potential impacts of tariffs on gross domestic product and economic growth, stating that the imposition of tariffs, at least in the way they are being discussed currently, would not have a disastrous negative impact on the economy, though they may hinder growth somewhat.

“We anticipate a little more challenging of a market going forward,” he said. “It’s a good time to be conservative and cautious.”

He noted bonds continue to perform poorly when compared to stocks, but they are likely to begin to tick up in a few years.

Commissioners acknowledged the termination of Jeremy Barnard from his position as a part-time corrections officer by Sheriff/Jail Warden Glenn Drake.

Also acknowledged were the hiring of Irene Douglass as part-time secretary/clerk in the Galeton magisterial district judge’s office by Judge Christopher Kalacinski, and Ashley Gledhill as a full-time deputy in the prothonotary/clerk of courts office by Prothonotary Kathy Schroeder.

The next meeting of the commissioners is set for 11 a.m. Aug. 16 at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport.