RIDGWAY — Seth Higgins has announced his intention to run for Elk County commissioner.
He is seeking the Republican nomination in the May primary election.
“People from rural communities, such as our own Elk County, often feel forgotten or ignored. I too share this feeling. After graduating from the St. Marys Public High School, I enlisted in the Air Force and my service took me across the world,” Higgins said. “When I separated from active duty, I earned my bachelor’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh and I am completing my master’s degree at Brown University in Rhode Island.
“My experiences proved that our sense of being forgotten is not a feeling, it is a fact. Few people in positions of authority keep places like Elk County in mind. It is time that we, as a community, put an end to this and make ourselves and our stories heard.”
He said there are policy implications to being forgotten.
“For example, Elk County is one of two counties in Pennsylvania without access to 2-1-1, a service provided by the non-profit United Way. Approximately 97% of Pennsylvanians have access to this service. Elk County is part of the forgotten 3%.
“To understand why this is important, 2-1-1 is a phone number that connects individuals in need to existing resources to solve non-emergency situations,” he continued. “For instance, it can help an elderly resident work with their heating company to pay a bill before service gets shut off in the winter, or help someone struggling with addiction find treatment options. Elk County has a large elderly population and has been battling the opioid epidemic for years. If anyone needs this service, it is us.”
In addition to planning to advocate for Elk County, Higgins wants to improve local governance. “The county’s website is outdated and cumbersome, although some of our neighbors, such as McKean County, have functional, user-friendly websites.” he said. “A professional web presence is needed to make Elk County attractive to potential residents and businesses.”
Higgins said, “ It was an honor to serve our nation in uniform, and it would be an honor to serve as your county commissioner.”
