Commissioners reflect on adapting amid pandemic

Board members address challenges at chamber breakfast

The COVID-19 pandemic has had its impact on just about everything -- including county government.

The Blair County commissioners on Thursday touched on several pandemic topics during a Zoom presentation to the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Club.

Despite the many negatives, the pandemic has created some positives for the commissioners.

"We found new ways of doing business," Commissioner Amy Webster said. "The register and recorder's office and prothonotary expanded ways they did filing, they kept their services available and opened up other ways of doing it.

"Some departments expanded their capability to do work in the field. It led us to create safer ways to do things. The courts used technology for many proceedings. There was no need to transport people to the courthouse; that led to a safer situation in the courthouse. With video conferencing, we were more efficient in terms of what we were doing."

Commissioner Laura Burke said they've seen a lot of ingenuity from county departments.

"We used technology we hadn't used before. We all had to use creativity and resourcefulness to keep things moving," Burke said. "We created an employee newsletter; I have had so much positive feedback for that. We have been able to identify some of our weaknesses and focus on where we need to improve."

Of course, COVID-19 also caused its share of problems.

Webster said she didn't believe business restrictions should have ever been put in place in the private sector.

"To force businesses to close has been devastating. Let the market decide. We've seen market demand has driven creativity in developing new products and getting them to the consumer. I would like to see all restrictions lifted and let the consumers make their decision on what they are comfortable doing," Webster said. "All three of us have been advocating for the removal of restrictions but the governor and secretary of health don't seem to be listening. We will continue to seek freedom for our businesses."

Commissioner Bruce Erb and Webster said the presidential election was impacted by COVID-19.

"The number of people who wanted to vote by mail skyrocketed and our expenses went up the same way. We had 19,000 applications for mail-in ballots, but the majority of voting was in person. We had to find other venues for voting. Our elections director did an incredible job," Erb said.

Webster said frequent changes from the Department of State confused the election process and procedures.

"It created additional costs and time-consuming ways to deal with things," she said. "We took every precaution we could to make sure the integrity of the election was protected. There were too many opportunities for fraud created by Act 77," adding that the commissioners would like the state Legislature to review the process and implement safety guidelines.

"The drop-off boxes were an open invitation for fraud," Webster said.

For the first time, the county had to lay off some employees.

"We have called back everyone who had been furloughed in late May or early June," Burke said. "No one is furloughed at this point. I would be highly surprised if we had to do another furlough."

Heading into the new year, the Altoona-Blair County Airport is in good shape, Webster said.

"The airport is in a much improved situation with completion of new hangars and an essential air service provider. We are forging ahead with new projects, which will lead to key infrastructure improvements at the airport," Webster said.

Webster said a decision will need to be made regarding the Blair County Prison.

"At some point, we have to decide whether to build a new building or renovate the old one. I have identified some grants and loans that could help us move forward. Hopefully, we can address the issues in the coming year," she said.

The commissioners agreed they have a good working relationship.

"We occasionally disagree," Erb said. "COVID made a lot of difference. We only had about ten weeks together, then COVID hit and we went to remote meetings. They are shorter and more focused. I think we have melded great with all the obstacles we faced."

"We disagree on various issues," Webster said. "We do not always vote the same way."

But at the same time, Webster said, the commissioners "take each other's perspective into consideration" and have the same goals in mind.

"We are focused on reducing spending," she said. "My mantra is to keep taxes down. We are all focused on finding opportunities to attract more business and employers to the county."

Burke said a lot has been accomplished by "trial and fire."

"There has been a lot thrown at us, but we've got things done successfully. The vast majority of times, we agree. After we talk things through, we find a compromise we are happy with," Burke said, noting, "at times, each of us has cast a dissenting vote."