Logan Township fills vacant supervisor position
Former supervisor Albright chosen to replace recently deceased member
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The Logan Township supervisors Thursday chose former supervisor Art Albright to replace recently deceased supervisor Patrick Jones from among six candidates who applied for the seat.
Four of those candidates made their pitches to the board Tuesday, after which members contacted Manager Tim Brown with their preferences.
When they served on the board together in the latter half of the 1990s, Albright made a comment that still resonates with board Chairman Jim Patterson about how to conduct township business, in connection with an issue on which they had opposing views.
"You didn't know where I was coming from," Patterson said. "I said 'I disagree.'"
Albright then said, "'Why not agree to disagree?'" Patterson recalled.
It has proven to be a good approach to municipal governance, according to Patterson.
Actually, "I said 'agree to disagree agreeably,'" Albright said, chuckling.
"I think you're a good fit," Patterson said.
One of Albright's key contributions during his previous time on the board was in helping the township's five fire companies to obtain five new fire trucks, Patterson said.
Albright, 70, also took the lead in the township's effort that resulted in it obtaining its first police dog, Dakota, Patterson said.
That led to some pain, however, when Albright reached down to pet the dog, and the dog bit his hand.
It was his own fault, Albright said.
The dog had just shed his "work uniform," according to Albright.
"He was still in that work mode," Albright said. "Shame on me."
Supervisor Ron Heller was in the police department at the time.
Albright "helped take care" of the department, Heller said.
The new and former supervisor taught for
32 years at Altoona Vo Tech, now the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center.
He taught various woodworking disciplines -- building construction in two separate stints, basic woodworking, cabinetmaking and carpentry, Albright said.
Albright will serve until the end of 2027.
He can run next year for the remainder of Jones' term -- which would give Albright an additional four years if he should win.
He's not sure yet whether he'll run, however.
"I want to get my feet wet," he said.
He wants to see if he enjoys it as much as he did the first time, during which things were "hectic," he said.
His daughter-in-law anticipates he'll be game: she's already threatening to have campaign buttons made, he said.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.