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Blair leaders discuss new voting systems

Group meets in Altoona Area Public Library

Bruce Erb, Blair County commissioner, said Thursday night that Pennsylvania is mov­ing “slower than molasses in January” to have new voting systems in place in time for the 2020 presidential election and that has become a concern to county officials.

Replacing the present voting machines in more than 90 Blair County precincts is expected to cost more than $1 million and the county is under a deadline to select a new system by the end of the year, Erb stated during a commissioners’ meeting held at the Altoona Area Public Library.

The county board has set aside $1.5 million in its most-recent bond issue for voting machines, but, as of now, the county has no firm figures to go by and the cost could end up being a great deal more, it was speculated.

Commissioner Terry Tomassetti pointed out another problem that could occur, and could cause a “nightmare,” asking if

a majority of the Pennsylvania counties select the same system, can the manufacturer produce the machines that are needed in time for the presidential primary?

The state wants to have three or four certified systems from which the county commissioners in each of the state’s 67 counties can choose, but, so far, only one system has been certified.

Erb talked about the concern of voters throughout the state for the integrity of the state’s voting system, but outlined for those in attendance how the pressure was building to get it right.

The federal government has mandated that whatever new system is selected, whether a digital recording or optical scan system, it must be able to record the votes on paper as well.

Erb said the federal government so far has agreed to provide only $114 million to help Pennsylvania counties install the new systems. Blair County’s share of that fund will be only $116,000, it was explained.

The discussion about the voting machines came up during the fourth of a series of eight meetings the commissioners are planning to hold this year, one in each of the county libraries.

Meetings so far have been held in Claysburg, Hollidaysburg, Bellwood and Altoona.

While attendance at these unusual evening meetings has been low (only 10 people showed up Thursday), the discussions were lively, and, as Erb, board chairman, pointed out, they are part of the commissioners’ effort to bring transparency to county government.

Commissioner Ted Beam was absent Thursday due to a death in his family, but the other two commissioners explained how county government was different from state and federal governments (the legislative and executive branches of county government are encompassed within the Board of Commissioners).

The discussion about the election machines got underway when George Thompson of Altoona asked the two commissioners about gerrymandering, an issue the Pennsylvania General Assembly is wrestling with at the moment.

Blight and affordable housing within the city and the county were discussed by Erb, who said the Board of Commissioners will consider the creation of a land bank with the city and school districts to provide more affordable housing, and to make sure dilapidated, abandoned or tax-delinquent homes owned by the county, are sold to responsible owners.

He also mentioned how the Blair County Community Action Agency has financial aid available to make homes more affordable for families who may have trouble paying the closing costs when buying a home or when attempting to repair a home.

Ron Green who lives in the Juniata section of Altoona was critical of the city’s code enforcement department because of its lack of inspections and enforcement of codes for rental properties.

Tomassetti said that particular problem was not one the county board board can address, but was an issue for city council.

Cory Abram of Altoona brought up the county’s recent reassessment.

Tomassetti said now that the reassessment has been completed, the new figures showed that the most over-assessed municipalities under the former assessment system (based on 1958 figures) were Roaring Spring and Altoona and the Altoona Area School District.

The most under-assessed communities were Catharine Township and Williamsburg.

The county’s top administrator, Helen Schmitt, explained how the county pays for the maintenance of its 70 bridges and 11 miles of highway, and discussed plans to improve County Road 101, which runs through Claysburg.

While the evening meetings have initially attracted small crowds, Tomassetti said he is hoping to continue them every year as a way to bring the “difficult issues

of county government” to the people.

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