Mifflin County prepares for Nov. 3 election

LEWISTOWN -- Election Day, set for Tuesday, Nov. 3, might seem like it's far off in the future, but Mifflin County Director of Elections Paula Hoffman warns the proverbial clock is ticking.

"We're accepting applications for mail-in ballots," said Hoffman, providing an update to the Mifflin County Commissioners during their monthly meeting on Thursday in the Mifflin County Courthouse in Lewistown.

"We have approximately 2,100 applications," Hoffman added. "The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is the 26th of October. Hopefully by the last week of September, first week of October, all the mail-in ballots will be sent out."

Hoffman stressed there haven't been any changes to the mail-in ballot process. "So, if you've done it before, continue the same," Hoffman said. "But please get them back to us as soon as possible. We don't want people to miss the deadline."

Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day, so voters are encouraged to return them as soon as possible. The last day to register to vote or change registration information is Oct. 19 and both Oct. 19 and 27, the elections office will be open until 5 p.m. to accommodate last-minute voters.

"Currently we do have over the counter voting, but people need to realize it is a mail-in ballot," Hoffman explained. "The mail-in ballot application must be filled out, given to someone in the elections office. We process it, “hand you a ballot and you can vote and return it to us."

Hoffman said that process is not immediate. "It does take time to process them. It could take up to a half hour," she shared. "So be prepared to wait if you’re going to do this."

The elections office will hold over the counter voting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily from Oct. 12 through Oct. 27. "If you don’t want to mail your ballot back in, we will have a drop box inside the courthouse downstairs," Hoffman added.

Additionally, voters can go to the voter registration office and turn in their mail-in ballot if they wish to do so.

Babe Ruth All-Stars honored

The commissioners lauded the Mifflin County Babe Ruth 15-and 16-year-old All-Stars who recently earned a trip to the Babe Ruth World Series in Branson, Mo.

Mifflin County Commissioner Kevin Kodish said, "... The accomplishments of these young athletes demonstrate not only exceptional baseball ability, but also the value of hard work, perseverance, teamwork, discipline and the support of families, coaches, teammates and the communities they represented.

"... The Mifflin County Commissioners recognize that accomplishments such as these bring great credit and distinction to the Mifflin County Bay Ruth League, Mifflin and Snyder counties and the entire Central Pennsylvania community," Kodish added.

Mifflin County Manager Denny Yetter appreciated all the support through the postseason but especially when it came time for raising money to go to the World Series.

"The one thing that I do want to mention though is how proud I am of Mifflin and Snyder counties," Yetter said. "In 10 days between the Mid-Atlantics (regionals) and the World Series we raised through tireless efforts of the mothers and their fathers and the kids … $62,000 to help the team travel to Missouri, which offset much of the cost of attending the World Series.

"For a community the size of Mifflin County and Snyder County to come up with that kind of money, that sort of period is amazing," Yetter added. "So, we just want to thank everybody from Mifflin County and Snyder County for everything they did for us to make it possible that we could go out."

Contracts and agreements

Commissioners approved:

· Proposal from Berkshire Systems Group Inc. for fire alarm system upgrades at the Mifflin County Courthouse in Lewistown at a cost of $37,965;

· Agreement with Pennoni Associates Inc. for lead supervisor initial training at a cost of $9,600;

· Ratification of Highway Safety Project Grant Agreement between PennDOT and Mifflin County for highway safety-related activities at a cost of $44,238.63;

· Reassignment of Main Street Matters Program Grant from Downtown Lewistown Inc. to Mifflin County at a cost of $623,263;

· Agreement between Mifflin County and Burnham Borough to use the 2025 Act 13 Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund for improvements to the Veterans Memorial Circle at a cost of $10,090;

· Subrecipient agreement with Burnham Borough for a $400,000.00 interest-free loan, repayable to Mifflin County by Dec. 31, 2027, for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks Improvement Project.

· Agreement with Fairfield Computer Services Inc. for setup and maintenance of online dog licensing system to be used by the treasurer's office at a cost of $1,680.00 annually.

· Harris Local Government Software Maintenance Agreement for the Veterans Affairs Office for 2027 at a cost of $617.76;

· Agreement with Keefe Commissary Network LLC to provide inmate commissary items and services;

· Reappointments to the Mifflin County Industrial Development Authority Board for four-year terms: John Anthony Willard, of Lewistown; Michael Buffington, of Lewistown; and Duane McMullen, of Lewistown.

Personnel matters

Commissioners approved:

· Hiring of Ethan Dixon as part-time corrections officer, effective Sept. 14;

· Rehiring of Emily Solt-Marks as an LPN at Mifflin County Correctional Facility in Lewistown, effective Sept. 14;

· Transfer of Gene Bowersox from deputy chief assessor to director of tax services/chief assessor, effective Oct. 8;

· Retirement of Merry Bratton from director of tax services/chief assessor, effective Oct. 8;

· Resignation of Noe Montesinos from full-time corrections officer, effective Sept. 24;

· Resignation of Cassandra Trego from Children and Youth Caseworker II, effective Oct. 7.

Next meeting

The commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Mifflin County Courthouse.