SMETHPORT – Penny Eddy, who has retired as executive director of
the McKean County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, leaves
behind a list of impressive achievements, spanning her 35 years
with the agencies.
Eddy joined the authorities on April 9, 1973. A short time
later, she was named deputy director. On Nov. 17, 1980, she became
the executive director.
Her accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. Eddy has received
citations from U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., Pennsylvania Gov. Ed
Rendell, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway,
state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, and the McKean County
Commissioners.
A strong advocate for rural Pennsylvania, Eddy has played key
roles in assisting the county in numerous projects, from the
Federal Correctional Institution-McKean to the dam at Hamlin Lake
in Smethport to the Eldred Dike Flood Control.
Under her leadership, the McKean County Housing Authority was
recognized as a “High Performer” by the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development.
In his citation, Peterson wrote, “Your expertise with the
housing authority has provided many area people with affordable
housing. You are leaving a legacy of commitment to the people of
the county and I thank you for setting such a tremendous example
for others to follow.”
Then, on a personal note, Peterson wrote, “You made a difference
over the years. Hundreds have good jobs because of your strong
leadership.”
Eddy said, “In the 1980’s, our office worked very hard to secure
the federal prison, the former Allegheny Particleboard and MDF
plants.”
Those three facilities alone accounted for more than 700
jobs.
Meanwhile, Rendell’s citation reads in part: “You have been a
leader, an innovator, and a friend to many and have never been
ordinary. For everything you have given to the state you love and
its people over the years, I thank you and honor you as one of
Pennsylvania’s most outstanding public servants.”
From the state senate came the following: “During her tenure
Mrs. Eddy displayed exceptional ability, commitment and integrity
in carrying out her many duties and has earned her the respect and
admiration of her many friends and colleagues.”
County Commissioners Joe DeMott, Al Pingie and Judy Church also
offered their congratulations.
They said, “Your influence has far outreached the boundaries of
your position as executive director of the McKean County
Redevelopment and Housing Authorities. Your dedication and desire
to serve others has touched the lives of everyone throughout the
Commonwealth.
“In particular, your dedication to the citizens of McKean County
has been exemplified by your diligence and willingness to make our
county a better place to live.”
Eddy is a member and former co-chair of The Governor’s Rural
Development Council and a director of The Guidance Center. She has
been a member of the Community Development and Housing
Practitioners Advisory Committee, a former director and former
training committee member of the Pennsylvania Association of
Housing and Redevelopment Agencies, and the Federal Home Loan Bank
of Pittsburgh Affordable Housing Advisory Council.
The redevelopment authority has administered the local funding
of the Community Development Block Grants, a program that HUD
initiated in 1974 to provide communities with resources to address
a wide variety of unique needs. Many local volunteer departments
have benefited from this funding by purchasing not only fire trucks
but other equipment such as turnout gear and generators for
emergency purposes.
“I truly believe that the firemen are the unsung heroes of our
communities,” Eddy said.
Numerous communities and organizations in the county have used
their CDBG money for improvement projects.
What will she miss the most as she begins a new chapter in her
life?
“More than anything, I’ll miss helping people,” Eddy said. “I’ll
also miss the staff and the authorities’ directors, who in my
opinion, are the best board ever appointed to any county
authority.”
Though Eddy has officially retired as executive director of the
authorities and the Partnership in Housing, she hasn’t completely
cut her ties with the agencies since she has a one-year contract as
a consultant.
She said, “This will give me an opportunity to continue working
on projects already started.”
Eddy and her husband, Jim, live in Ormsby. The have a daughter,
Jennifer.
