County reflects on past to highlight the future

Commissioners approve semiquincentennial resolution

LEWISTOWN -- The Mifflin County Commissioners drafted a resolution supporting the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial at Thursday morning's meeting.

The resolution states that Mifflin County will volunteer to develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

Jenna Stoner of the Visitor's Bureau commented on their plans for Mifflin County for the Semiquincentennial.

"Pennsylvania had an integral role in that event and the impact it has had on our nation's past, present, and future. Mifflin County has a rich history and roots that date back to 1776. And as the potential candidate for county representative and part of the Visitor's Bureau, our idea is to highlight an icon from our county to shine on," she said. "That would be our very own Dorcas Buchanan, known as Lewistown's first woman European settler. She settled here with her husband Arthur in 1754. She was known as a very successful and admired business owner before dying at the age of 93 in 1804. Dorcas was here in Lewistown before, during, and after the revolution."

The Visitor's Bureau wants to partner with the America250PA Commission to educate and celebrate the 250th commemoration in 2026.

"We haven't identified any specific plans of how we're going to educate our locals and visitors about our county icon Dorcas Buchanan, but we want to work closely with the Mifflin County Historical Society, as well as the Juniata County representative for America250, Jessica Guyer," Stoner said.

In other county news, the board took the following action:

• Approved request for exoneration of 2023 county portion per capita taxes: Union Township Tax Collector Herb Zook-34, Derry Township Tax Collector Bret Treaster-129, Wayne Township Tax Collector Mary Ellen Reed-30.

• Approved change order No. 3 for the HVAC Construction Project at the Prison with Benell, Inc. to replace piping in the basement – increase of $32,825;

• Approved change order No. 1 for the HVAC Construction Project at the Prison with M&R Contracting Inc. to provide and install 4 new pipe flashings and remove abandoned pipes and patch roof – increase of $792;

• Approved proposal from Crider Mitchell Construction, LLC for the Sidewalk Replacement at the Embassy Theatre – $5,113;

• Approved Subcontractor Agreement with United Way of Pennsylvania for the Diversion Demonstration Project for the period May 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023 – $15,179;

• Approved change order No. 1 with G&R Charles Excavating, LTD for the Juniata Terrace Stormwater project – decrease of $16,308;

• Approved Resolution No. 19 of 2023 authorizing the execution and entry into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with Armagh Township for the CDBG Program;

• Approved resignation of part-time Corrections Officer Graham Dicken effective May 6;

• Approved hiring of part-time Corrections Officers Wyatt Henry, and Kevin Neavling effective May 30;

• Approved promotion of Dillon Harlon from Children and Youth Caseworker III to Caseworker Supervisor effective June 5;

• Approved hiring of Emily Wert for part-time Corrections Officer effective June 12;

• Approved resignation of Children and Youth Fiscal Assistant Jill Conner effective June 30;

• Approved resignation of Children and Youth Supervisor Rylan Bargo effective July 7.