Hemminger

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County commissioners cast a 2-to-1 vote Tuesday in the firing of Chief Clerk/County Administrator Nicole Hemminger, an action that ignited debate and warnings about the future of county government.

“No three individuals alone can run the entire county without help,” Commissioner Laura Burke said Tuesday in the meeting, where she voted against firing Hemminger and fellow commissioners Dave Kessling and Amy Webster voted in favor.

“Instead of utilizing staff to their full potential, the other commissioners have decided to cut experienced staff out of all communications and ignore the wealth of experience, historical knowledge and the valuable advice they could supply,” Burke said, in reading a written statement. “I believe that continuing down this path will lead to further instability and decreased efficiency in providing services to the public and opening the county up to increased liability.”

Kessling and Webster said they believed their votes are helping to create a new culture in county government, to the benefit of the county and to county employees.

“I believe our current board is on a path to create additional efficiencies and positive goals for the county as a whole,” Webster said.

Kessling said he agreed that Hemminger’s knowledge of county government is a loss. But it was taken into account in making the decision, he said, then referencing his prior employment at state and county prisons.

“As I sit in front of you, I’ve managed, personally, over 500 employees and I’ve managed tactical teams,” Kessling said. “So I’m quite aware of what leadership is, what it looks like and the importance it has.”

Kessling also spoke of his prior employment as a deputy sheriff in Blair County.

“Ever since that time … and during my (commissioner) campaign, what I’ve heard from former employees and current employees is a need for change in culture,” Kessling said. “So I think we are making the right steps, that we’re doing the right things.”

Burke, in announcing her intention to vote against firing Hemminger, referenced Hemminger’s active role with the Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool, which provides liability insurance to the county.

“Nicole won multiple statewide awards for risk management during her tenure and was instrumental in reducing liability and cost for the taxpayers,” Burke said. “I believe her termination is a loss for the county as a whole and I will be voting against it.”

Hemminger started working for the county in early 2017 when hired as the assistant to Chief Clerk/County Administrator Helen Schmitt, who retired at the end of 2019.

Retired Commissioner Bruce Erb, who worked seven years with Hemminger until December, when he completed his second term in office, told the Mirror Tuesday that Hemminger was “a dedicated public servant with a great work ethic.”

Erb praised Hemminger for developing a thorough understanding of the County Code and how county government works. The retired commissioner also described Hemminger’s expertise in risk management, financial and budget administration and organizational efficiency as invaluable.

“Her termination is regrettable and a loss for the citizens of Blair County,” Erb said.

Based on the vote cast Tuesday, Hemminger’s termination was effective July 2, the day after commissioners convened two executive sessions with individual employees concerning personnel-related actions. Under the state’s Sunshine Law, governing bodies can meet in executive sessions to address personnel disciplinary actions, with related votes to be cast at public meetings.

As for who handles Hemminger’s work, Kessling spoke of the current commissioners board as having become more involved in the decision-making process. He also said Tuesday that assistant county administrator Allison Sekevich had agreed to serve as interim county administrator and that county Finance Director Lindsay Dempsie is taking on the role of acting chief clerk. The county typically provides a 5% pay increase for employees who temporarily handle additional responsibilities, but that vote has not yet occurred.

Kessling also said Tuesday that he and Webster realized that the decision they were making to terminate Hemminger’s employment would not be easy, nor was it taken lightly.

“But we’re in a position to make those hard decisions and we’re not going to back away from hard decisions,” the commissioner said. “If this is a decision we have to make for this county to move forward, then that’s what we’re going to do.”

Burke later told the Mirror that she’s detecting a distinct lack of consistency in the words and actions of her colleagues.

“And it’s hindering any progress we can make toward our shared goals of improving morale, changing culture and increasing the quality of communication,” she said.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.