For Immediate Release
April 14, 2010
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Op-Ed: State Senator Joe Scarnati

I am sure this piece will not be viewed favorably by the Commissioners in both Jefferson and Clearfield Counties.  Nevertheless, I have never been one to shy away from discussing what is right and what is in the best interest of the citizens I represent. It is very disappointing, and indicative of what is wrong with government, that Jefferson County is now the home to ninety-one fewer jobs than it was a few days ago.  I find it troubling that the Jefferson County Commissioners did very little to ensure the retention of employment opportunities of the residents in their own home county.

It was announced yesterday in the DuBois Courier that Service Access and Management Inc. is purchasing land in DuBois to build a new facility for their operations.  The commissioners have failed the citizens of Jefferson County by approving this organization's move.  As many of you know, Brockway has long been home to this respected organization that provides case management services and works with mental health/retardation programs.  Unfortunately, the decision to leave Brockway, a community that does not have any county or state jobs, was supported by our existing County Commissioners.

Let me be very clear, I will do whatever is necessary to aid economic expansion in all the communities in the 25th Senatorial District, including, of course, DuBois.  However, I am not in favor of the questionable use of tax dollars to move jobs out of one area of our district and into another.  Clearly, this is not job creation…it is the shifting of jobs and ultimately a disservice by the Jefferson County Commissioners to the residents they serve.

As our country and our state continue to fight an economic downturn not seen since the Great Depression, it is necessary that all branches of government work diligently to retain and expand job opportunities.  No one sector of government can cave to the demands of hardship; rather we must all work closely with existing businesses to ensure their success in their respective counties.  Regrettably, the citizens in Jefferson County do not currently have County Commissioners willing to assist and defend their employment opportunities in the communities they represent.

I respectfully request that the Commissioners in Jefferson County re-evaluate their decision to relocate this organization.  In the meantime, I ask that the citizens in Jefferson County contact their commissioners to get specific answers as to the reasoning behind this disappointing decision.