LEWISTOWN - The Mifflin County Commissioners on Thursday approved a request from the sheriff's department to apply for a grant that would modernize the process of issuing licenses to carry firearms.
Lisa Stalnaker, grant writer for the county, said during a workshop meeting on Jan. 14 that the grant would be in the amount of $15,000, which would be used to fund a new state-mandated program. If approved, the grant would come from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Stalnaker said.
"This application is pursuant to Pennsylvania Act 66 of 2005 to support a system that standardizes and modernizes the process of issuing licenses to carry firearms," Stalnaker explained.
In implementing the project, the sheriff's department would adhere to Pennsylvania State Police policy, procedure and specifications for all firearm record form rules as they apply to the applications and identification cards, she said.
"The primary goal of the sheriff's department is to participate in a statewide system that will provide a uniform method of collecting the firearm application, submitting that information to state police, obtaining confirmation of a successful transaction with police and issuing an identification card for individuals seeking a license to carry a firearm," Stalnaker stated.
In other business, the commissioners approved a sub-recipient agreement between the county and the Newton-Wayne Joint Municipal Authority for administration of a $100,000 Community Development Block Grant the authority received in 2008. The agreement outlines the responsibilities of the county and the authority in administering the grant, which will be used for the authority's wastewater pumping station project.
In other action Thursday, the commissioners:
Rescinded action on the resignation of Kevin Swisher from Caseworker I position in the Children & Youth office, effective Jan. 8.
Approved the transfer of Terri Rupert from corrections officer to deputy in the sheriff's office, effective Jan. 18.
Approved the hiring of Ellen Amspacker for the position of second deputy in the register and recorder's office, effective Jan. 25.
Approved the certification for authorized use of 911 funds under the Public Safety Telephone Act and authorize Mifflin County Emergency Management Director Phil Lucas to submit for funding for fiscal year 2011. Lucas, on hand at Thursday's meeting, explained that this is an annual process for funding that comes from the $1 charge on telephone bills.
Approved appointments/reappointments of the following individuals to the Local Emergency Planning Committee for one-year terms: Robert Barlett, Brian Williams, Judi Smith, Deb Bargo and Craig Wheeler of Lewistown; Scott Mauery of Yeagertown; and Christopher Gerwick of Reedsville.
Approved appointments/reappointments of the following individuals to the Local Emergency Planning Committee for two-year terms: James Carter, Ryan Barlett, Robert Schell, Rhoda Yoder, Lisa Swisher and Howard Jackson of Lewistown; Robert Keller Jr. and Don Hartzler of Belleville; and Dale Stehley of Burnham.
Approved the Mifflin County Office of Public Safety to apply for a Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant in the amount of $37,751 to be used for planning and training for first responders to emergency situations.
Approved the hiring of Ronald E. Fisher for the position of deputy sheriff, effective Feb. 1.
Approved the transfer of Christine DeArment from part-time clerk in the veterans affairs office to full-time data entry clerk in the tax claim office, effective Feb. 3.
