MOUNT UNION - Eugene R. "Gene" Goshorn, of Shirley Township announced his candidacy Wednesday for Huntingdon County Commissioner on the Democratic ticket.
"I have positive memories of my early life in Huntingdon County. I see the county now in 'can do' thinking and positive-minded people who are willing to work together to solve the problems facing our country," Goshorn said in a release.
He points out that Huntingdon County will face increased financial pressure resulting from the new state government's vow to not increase state taxes. This will mean that Huntingdon County likely will not be able to count on Harrisburg for any additional aid and will even face aid cuts.
"County government will have to work harder with community resources to support growth in the local ecomony," Goshorn said, adding that it will be important to support good morale among county employees. "Even more important than before, our county commissioners will have to put politics aside and work constructively and cooperatively together for the county's overall benefit.
A member of the Democratic County Committee, Goshorn lives with his wife, the former Alberta Haught, of Huntingdon and Mount Union, in Overbrook Acres, about a mile from Gene's childhood home on West Vandevender Street in Mount Union. Gene is the father of three and granddaughter of three. His son David and daughter Sharon live in North Carolina; daughter Kelly lives in Arizona.
Retiring in 2002 from a position as senior trainmaster with New Jersey's commuter railroad operations, he finished a 25-year railroad career, that had begun in Blair County, when he took a job as yard clerk for Conrail.
For eleven years, he worked as a newspaper writer, covering village, town, school and county government operations in upstate New York.
A graduate of the former Captian Jack High School in Mount Union, he attended college at Penn State's Altoona campus and Syracuse University's University College.
Goshorn's resume also includes working as a car salesman, as an auditor for the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board and serving as a staff member with the Blair County chapter of Pennsylvania Association for the Blind.
