MIFFLINTOWN - At a Tuesday meeting of the Juniata County Commissioners, Allen Weaver, director of emergency services, was publically recognized for his completion of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency's Advanced Certification.
Representative Fred Boylstein said PEMA requires that all emergency management coordinators earn two levels of certification under Pennsylvania law. Weaver underwent rigorous training to achieve basic certification. In addition to continued training, advanced certification required a complete review of the planning, training, operation and administration of emergency services in Juniata County, Boylstein said.
Commissioners Jeffrey Zimmerman and Teresa O'Neal recognized Weaver for his proactive approach and regular communication with county officials.
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Sentinel photo by JULIANNE?CAHILL
Juniata County Director of Emergency Services Allen Weaver, right, receives a plaque from PEMA representative Fred Boylstein in recognition of his Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s Advanced Certification.
"Allen is able to look ahead. He understands what the needs (of the county) are," O'Neal said.
Boylstein presented Weaver with a plaque recognizing his achievement.
Also during the meeting, O'Neal addressed a public comment from Ronald Shearer about the medical expenses she felt were overcharged to Juniata County.
O'Neal said typically in correctional facilities, internal medical costs acquired by inmates are absorbed by a daily boarding cost. Since the agreement with Mifflin County made Juniata County responsible for all medical costs, O'Neal said she urged her fellow commissioners to negotiate with Mifflin County to ensure that only external medical costs would be charged.
O'Neal said her fellow commissioners assured her that internal costs would not be charged above and beyond the daily boarding rate.
"I have absolutely no complaints against the Mifflin County Board of Commissioners," she said, adding that Mifflin County Correctional Facility Warden Bernard Zook and staff have been fantastic to work with.
"This was not an issue with them," she clarified, "this is an internal issue in Juniata County."
Before ending the meeting, Zimmerman read a poem entitled "Names", written by Billy Collins, in memory of the victims of Sept. 11, 2001 and in recognition of their survivors.
In other business, the commissioners:
Reviewed field assessment totals as submitted by Chief Assessor Jeff Haines.
Adopted Resolution 2012-3 showing support for House Bill 135 and "Justive Reinvestment Funding" as recommended by Juniata County Commissioner Teresa O'Neal.
"This is the vehicle needed to make sure funding is provided to the county and to local law enforcement," O'Neal explained.
Approved the Purchase of Service Agreement between Juniata County Children and Youth Services, the Juniata County Probation Department and the Bair Foundation of Pennsylvania Inc., as submitted by Helen Henry, Children and Youth director.
Approved checks Nos. 35,826 to 35,865 in the amount of $83,385.70.
Juniata County Commissioner Robert Reynolds was not present for the meeting.
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