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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Blair County's newly seated Republican commissioner Dave Kessling has been named to chair the board, restoring a tradition of assigning that role to the candidate with the most votes in the November election.
Kessling, who in November topped the ballot with 16,293 votes, became board chairman on Tuesday after receiving support from fellow Republican Amy Webster, who will serve as the board's vice chair, a role that Democratic Commissioner Laura Burke has held since January 2020.
While Webster topped the ballot in the November 2019 election, she didn't become chairman in January 2020 because Republican commissioner Bruce Erb retained that job with Burke's support. And with Erb's support at that time, Burke became the first Democrat to serve as the board's vice chairman and the role of board secretary went to Webster.
During Tuesday's commissioners' reorganization meeting, Burke spoke of her opposition to the pending decisions and said she was told they were based on tradition.
"Tradition is another way of saying (because) we've always done it that way," Burke said.
Kessling, who was sworn into office on Friday with Webster and Burke, acknowledged having some discussions prior to the meeting about the leadership roles. He also spoke of his willingness to chair the board.
"I have six years of experience (working) in three different counties, so I'm not coming into this brand new," Kessling said.
But he also acknowledged being "brand new as a commissioner" and said he expects to rely on Webster and Burke for help with adjusting to his new role.
Burke, after voting against motions in favor of Kessling as chairman and Webster as vice chairman, also voted against seating herself as the board secretary. But Kessling's and Webster's votes in favor assigned the role to Burke.
The newly reorganized board was unanimous in support of changing its traditional 10 a.m. meeting time to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting Jan. 9.
While the county retirement board will continue to meet at 9 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month, the county salary board -- made up of the commissioners and Controller A.C. Stickel -- voted to start convening at 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
By law, Kessling will chair the retirement board and the salary board. The law also designates Stickel to serve as retirement board secretary. While Stickel is eligible for a stipend to handle the board's responsibilities, he said he will continue his practice of declining it.
The newly reorganized board of commissioners also met Tuesday as the board of elections, which will be responsible this year for overseeing what could be a hotly contested presidential race that traditionally draws a high voter turnout.
By a unanimous vote, Burke will chair the elections board, Webster will serve as vice chairman and Kessling will serve as secretary.
Commissioners also revised their liaison roles with various county offices, departments, committees and affiliated agencies. The move allocated Erb's prior roles and in some cases, traded other responsibilities.
Webster, who has been liaison commissioner to the prison and its administration, said that responsibility is being assigned to Kessling, who used to work for the state Department of Corrections and at county prisons.
"Commissioner Kessling has knowledge that would be far more beneficial regarding prison, security and sheriff," Webster said.
In exchange, she said she will work with other departments where she can offer her experience or expertise.
The following assignments were approved:
Kessling -- Blair County Airport Authority, Blair County Convention Center and Sports Facilities Authority, Courthouse Historical Preservation Advisory Board, District Attorney and Victim Witness offices, Explore Altoona, Geographic Information Systems office, Information Technology office, Metropolitan Planning Organization, county prison, public safety and 911 Center, public works -- facilities, safety committee, security committee, sheriffs office, Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission, Veterans Affairs.
Webster -- Blair County Conservation District Board, Blair County Planning Commission, Blair Drug and Alcohol Partnerships, Cooperative Extension office, County of Blair Housing and Redevelopment Authority, court-related offices of Cost and Fines, Juvenile Probation, Adult Probation, Domestic Relations, Custody, Court Administration and the magisterial district judges' offices, finance, Fort Roberdeau, Metropolitan Planning Organization, parks and recreation advisory board, prothonotary, public defender office, public works -- highway, records management, register of wills and recorder of deeds.
Burke -- Assessment office, Blair County Community Action, Blair County Leadership Coalition, Blair Health Choices, Blair Senior Services, Children, Youth & Families, controller's office, coroner's office, elections office, human resources, Metropolitan Planning Organization, social services office, Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission, tax claim and treasurer's office.
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.