Longtime treasurer honored for service

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LEWISTOWN - Retiring Treasurer Gerald R. Hepler was formally honored by the Mifflin County Commissioners on Thursday for his more than three decades of public service.

The commissioners issued a proclamation during their regular business meeting, describing Hepler as a "dedicated and exceptional treasurer for Mifflin County for 32 years," since he was elected to his first term in 1978.

"Gerald has been invaluable not only to the treasurer's office, but the commissioners' office as well. The residents of Mifflin County have benefited from (his) service," Commission Chairman Mark Sunderland said. "(He) has been described by his friends and coworkers as helpful, knowledgeable, hardworking, professional, diligent and as one who is a pleasure to work with."

On behalf of Hepler's friends, coworkers and the board, Sunderland wished Hepler "a happy and prosperous retirement, and plenty of time to pursue his passions in life."

Hepler responded by saying he feels it has been a privilege to work for the county.

"Eight terms (in office) is a long time. It's the people who work here that make a difference," Hepler said.

Treasurer-elect Janice Peachey, who will succeed Hepler in January, also offered praise for her soon-to-be-former boss.

"We're really going to miss him in our office. He's been a good boss and a good friend," Peachey said.

Also during Thursday's meeting, the board was approached by Community Partnerships RC&D Executive Director Sam Price with a request for use of the Mifflin County Historic Courthouse during the Third Annual Chip Drop scheduled for New Year's Eve. Price asked that the building be left open that night to accommodate indoor activities and to give area residents a place to get warm as they wait to usher in the new year.

The commissioners approved Price's request, noting the Chip Drop is a positive community event that has been well attended by the public.

"It's a great way to bring in the New Year - you couldn't have picked a better representative (for the county) in Hartley's Chips," Commissioner Otis Riden said.

"Yeah, but I still think the bag should (actually) be full of chips," Commissioner Bob Reck joked.

In other business, the board took the following actions:

Accepted a bid from Kish Bank to provide a tax revenue anticipation loan to the county at an interest rate of 1.17 percent. The loan is not to exceed $3.185 million, and would be used primarily as a line of credit to meet county expenses, if needed. Other banks bidding on the loan were Juniata Valley Bank at 1.79 percent, and Mifflin County Savings Bank at 1.85 percent;

Approved an agreement to apply for the annual Mifflin County Waste Management Planning Grant;

Approved the 2010 meeting schedule;

Approved the reappointment of Donald Kauffman, of McVeytown, to the Agriculture Land Preservation Board for another three-year term;

Approved the reappointment of Brenda Stayrook, of Lewistown, to the Juniata Valley Tri-County MH/MR Program Citizen Advisory Board for another three-year term;

Approved the reappointment of James Shilling, of Lewistown, to another one-year term on the SEDA-Council of Governments Board of Directors;

Approved the reappointment of Robert Long Jr., of Lewistown, to another three-year term on the Mifflin County Library Board;

Approved the appointment of John A. Brittain, of Lewistown, to a three-year term on the Mifflin County Library Board;

Approved the following appointments/reappointments to the Mifflin County Alert & Advisory Committee for one-year terms: Mike Moyle, of Yeagertown, Dan Aumiller, of Reedsville, Calvin Shirk, of McVeytown, Jason Wolfgang, of Milroy, and Philip Lucas, Brian Fleegal, Shari Spicher, James Carter Jr., Craig Weston, Bill Fike, Terry Beers, Scott Hasson, Rhoda Yoder and Pat Shoop, all of Lewistown;

Approved an application for county aid through the 2009 Liquid Fuels Allocation by Menno Township in the amount of $2,391.83;

Approved an application for the state Drug Court Patrols 2010 Grant in the amount of $10,000, and;

Accepted, with regret, the retirement of Bertha Harshbarger as a clerk in the Assessment Office, effective Dec. 31.