USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Picture of Lycoming County, Vol. 2 > Part 10
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CHANGES IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Apart from the adoption of the Strong-Mayor form of
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Main courtroom of former Lycoming County Courthouse, 1934
Lysock View upon completion
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Williamsport City Council in 1940's L to R: Samuel Wendle, Raymond Rall, S. J. Webster, Assessor Mayor Leo C. Williamson, A. L. Reimer, Assistant Assessor, Eugene Shaffer and Frank Henninger
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Lycoming County Commissioners, 1978 L to R: Paul K. Bloom, Robert W. Beiter and Henry F. Frey
government in Williamsport, the major governmental changes in the county occurred at the county level, particularly in the size of county government and in the reorganization of the local judicial system. A very minor change in borough government was the adoption of the title "mayor" for the chief borough official instead of the traditional title "burgess." This change was promulgated by state law in 1961.
The developments in modern county government first began to evolve as a result of the Institution District Act of 1937. This state law abolished the local township and borough poor districts and replaced them with county poor districts, making the county commissioners responsible for providing care to indigent persons and needy children. Prior to this law, boroughs, townships and cities provided their own care to such needy individuals, often in a haphazard and unsatis- factory fashion.
The Institution District Act empowered commissioners to levy taxes for expenses incurred by the county in aid of the needy and to issue bonds for funding the building of new facilities. The law made county commissioners custo- dians of those children and adults who, for whatever finan- cial or family reason, were unable to care for themselves. Thus, along with the prior constitutional responsibilities of the county government, this new responsibility has over the years come to consume a significant amount of the county's resources and jurisdiction. In recent years the state has added further responsibilities to county govern- ment, including care services to the aged, such as home- help; mental health/mental retardation programs; and job training and employment programs.
The structure of the Lycoming County government is nearly as it was in 1940, except for the substitution in 1947 of a county controller for auditors. Along with the expansion of county government has come the creation of several county authorities or boards which oversee the construction and operation of county facilities. These include the Airport Authority and the Recreation Authority. The Recreation Authority operates the White Deer Golf Course and is a joint Authority of the county and City of Williamsport.
With the passage of the 1937 Institution District Act, the county built its own poor home in Loyalsock Township, aided by WPA workers. The home opened in March, 1937, and was located on a farm where some of the home's food was produced. The home was named "Lysock View" and is today, as a result of expansion, the residence of several hundred patients, mostly elderly and physically disabled. The emphasis at Lysock View has changed from a work center to medical and nursing care for the needy.
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Whereas in 1937, Lysock View was the largest part of the 'county's welfare program, today it is a relatively small part of all the social and health services provided by county government. Most of these programs are funded or initiated by state or federal legislation for which the county serves as the dispensing agent. There are very few individuals or families that do not today benefit in one way or another from these county programs.
DISTRICT MAGISTRATES
The judicial and criminal investigative functions of county government are still among its most important. Along with changing the method of retaining incumbent common pleas judges, however, the revised Pennsylvania Constitution also significantly reorganized the local judicial system. The justices of the peace were eliminated and in their place were established larger magisterial districts according to population. Each district elects a single justice of the peace or district magistrate who serves as the judicial officer of the state with jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases of a minor nature originating within his district. The magistrates are elected for a six-year term and must undergo a specified course of training in legal and judicial matters. There are five magisterial districts in Lycoming County -- two in Williamsport and three in re- maining areas of the county.
The first of the new district magistrates were elected in November, 1969, and took office January 1, 1970. Another judicial reform was the abolition of the grand jury in Lycoming County. As of January 1, 1976, a prosecutor .can take a case to trial after the judge at the preliminary hearing has granted permission. The advantage of this reform is the time and money it saves, in that a grand jury is not needed to bring an indictment. Instead, the judge or magistrate at the preliminary hearing merely de- cides whether the evidence against the accused is sufficient to warrant a trial.
MAJOR POLITICAL CONTROVERSIES
Williamsport and Lycoming County have not been without their major political controversies. Two of the more heated ones occurred within the City of Williamsport and arose over voter displeasure with the activities of various arms of government. A major battle ensued in 1967 when the Williamsport Area School Board unveiled plans for a new high school estimated to cost $10 million. At about the same time the School Board was forced to propose an in- crease in the personal tax to finance a deficit in the school district budget of over $200,000. Not long there- after, the cost estimate for the new high school was
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increased to $14 million, setting off a wave of citizen protest in the Williamsport area and within the Williamsport City Council.
Meanwhile groundbreaking for the new high school took place on July 14, 1967. On July 20, 1967, the Williamsport City Council voted unanimously for a resolution asking the state legislature to pass a bill limiting school district spending on capital projects not authorized by public vote. Following this action, a citizens' group was formed calling itself "Citizens Responsibility Committee." The committee circu- lated a petition collecting 5,682 names opposed to the cost of the high school; the group filed suit in the County Court to enjoin the School Board from proceeding with its plan.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL
The citizens' group complaint to the court stated that the School Board was preparing to issue bonds worth $29 million, not including interest. This amount was to go toward con- struction of the high school, the purchase of 60 school buses, salaries for bus drivers, and the purchase of large amounts of land for the high school (148.09 acres alto- gether ). The group also complained that the bond issue would be the largest for any school district in the state and that as a result, taxes would rise beyond the ability of many people to pay them.
In its reply the school board and authority stated that the citizens' group had not accurately stated the case. The real cost of the high school, including interest, was set at $16.3 million, not $29 million. The School Board also said that it planned to buy 22 new buses, not 60. In so far as the land purchases were concerned, the School Board replied that only enough land was condemned to provide adequately for the high school facilities, including parking facilities and athletic areas. Objections to the land acquisitions were complicated by the fact that the property of one of the leaders of the citizens' group had been con- demned for access to Fourth Street from the high school drive.
Finally, in December, 1967, Judge Thomas Wood ruled in favor of the school district on both parts of the tax- payers' suit. In the Judge's opinion, the citizens' group had not demonstrated that the School Board and Authority had abused their discretion in either the cost of the pro- posed high school or in the acquisition of land. Despite the Judge's ruling, however, the construction of the high school was delayed still longer due to appeals by the citizens' group to the State Supreme Court and an attempt at appeal before the U. S. Supreme Court. Both attempts failed.
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Due to the long delays in getting construction underway, the cost of the high school building increased from $14 million to $15 million. It was not until January 3, 1972, that the new high school was finally occupied by teachers and students. Williamsport High School alumnus John Huffman designed this unique building, which consists of separate self-contained "little school" units for each of the three grades. These are connected to a central hub which then leads to separate facilities for physical and health education, the library, science laboratories, homemaking, special education, business education, the industrial and fine arts, and a 1,600-seat auditorium.
Finally, after many obstacles and road blocks, including the taxpayers' lawsuits and a strike by construction workers, the new Williamsport High School was dedicated in May, 1972, replacing a badly crowded and obsolete building, which was then sold to the Williamsport Area Community College for refurbishing as an academic center.
THE FLUORIDATION CONTROVERSY
At about the same time as the high school dispute, another controversy preoccupied Williamsport -- the fluoridation of the municipal water supply. Fluoridation was initiated in 1966, by order of the Williamsport City Council and the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority because of its proven benefits to children's teeth. This action sparked considerable resistance in the wider community and on the City Council, itself. Many citizens objected to fluorida- tion on the grounds that it violated freedom of choice.
By 1970, the anti-fluoridation group on the Water Authority had gained the upper hand and during a sudden vote on the matter, the Authority rescinded fluoridation by a majority of one vote. Many pro-fluoridation residents of Williamsport and other municipalities served by the city's water system were greatly upset by the Authority's action. Because the action violated the procedures of the Pennsylvania Depart- ment of Health which should have granted permission for the termination of fluoridation, it, too, objected.
In consequence, both the State Health Department and a group of seven local citizens sought a court injunction to prevent the Authority from ending fluoridation. Judge Thomas Wood ruled in favor of the Department of Health stating that it and not the Water Authority had ultimate jurisdiction over matters of community health, and that the Authority, there- by, had no legal right to end fluoridation unilaterally. The Judge thus permanently enjoined the Water Authority from removing fluoride from the drinking water, and the fluorida- tion of Williamsport's water supply continues to this day.
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The controversies over the high school and fluoridation, while eventually settled in the courts, were issues for voters long after the court had ruled on them. The failure of Judge Thomas Wood to gain retention is attributed partial- ly to his decisions in these two cases -- decisions which many voters disliked and cast their ballots against in 1973. This is one example of how politics affects government. While the courts are believed to be above politics, the rulings of judges very often have highly political consequences with- out ever intending to do so. Thus, government and politics are part of the same democratic process whether it takes place at the national, state or local level. The history of Lycoming County has in recent years offered ample illustra- tions of this democratic process at work.
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QUESTIONS CHAPTER 10
1. Describe membership trends in the major political parties of Lycoming County.
2. List state and national lawmakers that have represented Lycoming County since the early 1950's.
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3. Name judges that have served the county since the early 1950's.
4. What changes were brought about in Williamsport city government by adoption of the Strong-mayor form of government?
5. What new responsibilities were added to county govern- ment by the Institution District Act of 1937?
6. In what other ways has county government been expanded?
7. List some of the county's political controversies and scandals.
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Chapter TRENDS IN RELIGION 11 As in most areas of the country, religion in Lycoming County is a diverse phenomenon reflecting various cultural, ethnic and social backgrounds. The religious mark of the original Anglo-Saxon and Western European settlers of the county is still reflected in the Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, Episcopalian and Roman Catholic denominations. These were the first religious bodies established in Lycom- ing County, some dating well back into the 18th century. Another religious group stemming from European roots and established early in the county is the Salvation Army, long highly regarded for its work among the destitute.
Today, these same denominations remain at the heart of re- ligious belief and practice in Lycoming County, despite the growth of newer peculiarly American religious groups, such as the Assemblies of God, the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Christian Scientists, the Church of the Nazarene, the Disciples of Christ, the Jehovah's Witnesses, and others (including a number of independent fundamentalist congregations ).
Lycoming County also has several Eastern Orthodox congrega- tions. The Greek Orthodox have long held services at Christ Church in Williamsport. Recently the Orthodox Church in America began holding weekly services in the city. Though the county's Orthodox population is small, a number of local converts have helped to increase their numbers. The Jewish faith is represented in Lycoming County by two synagogues in Williamsport: the Congregation Ohev Sholom -- part of the Conservative branch of Judaism -- and the Temple Beth Ha Sholom -- a member of Judaism's Reformed branch.
EVENTFUL YEARS FOR THE CHURCHES
The years since 1940 have been eventful ones for the churches of Lycoming County. Along with several denomina- tional mergers, a few churches have closed, a few congrega- tions have merged, and a number of completely new congrega- tions have come to life.
Among those churches which merged were the Mulberry Street and Market Street Methodist churches in 1963; the formation of the Wesley Methodist Church resulted. The old Mulberry Street building was sold to Faith Tabernacle which occupied it until it burned in 1973. The new Methodist congregation worshiped in the old Market Street building until a new church building was erected several years later. Another merger brought into being the Church of The Savior on Grier Street in Williamsport. This congregation is composed of the former Salem and St. John's Evangelical Lutheran
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churches. The St. John's church building was retained for the new congregation; the Salem building is now occupied by the Salem Assembly of God Church. Then in 1976, Williamsport saw the merger of the churches of St. John's United Church of Christ and the Immanuel United Church of Christ. The new congregation is named New Covenant United Church of Christ and is located in the former Immanuel church building on East Third Street. The former St. John's building was sold to the American Rescue Workers as the location of their Williamsport headquarters.
The largest churches in the county to close since 1940 were the St. John's Episcopal Church in South Williamsport in 1952, and Bethany Presbyterian Church on Green Street, Williamsport, in about 1960. Both of these congregations had experienced a steady decrease in membership up to the dates of their closing.
DENOMINATIONS MERGE
The one denominational merger with the greatest impact in Lycoming County was that of the former Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church in 1968. The new denomination was named the United Methodist Church, and is the largest Protestant denomination in Lycoming County. In instances yoked parishes were formed under a single pastor,
some instances where former Methodist and E.U.B. churches existed within a few yards of each other (as for example in Salladasburg), the two congregations merged. In other as in Jersey Shore with the former Epworth Methodist and Trinity E.U.B. churches. Because the E.U.B. and Methodist churches were nearly identical in doctrine, polity and wor- ship, the merger was a relatively smooth one, despite the realignment of many rural charges within the county.
NEW CONGREGATIONS
Perhaps the greatest development in religion in Lycoming County since 1940 has been the formation of entirely new congregations. The Methodist and Presbyterian churches each opened a new church in the Faxon/Loyalsock Township region. The Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church on Sheri- dan Street and Clayton Avenue was organized in the mid-1940's and broke ground for its new church building in 1948.
The Northway United Presbyterian Church on Northway Road was organized in 1959 and broke ground soon afterwards. Both churches today are flourishing congregations. The other major denomination to start new congregations in the county is the Roman Catholic Church. Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Montoursville was originally a mission of the Church of The Resurrection in Muncy. The first service of Our Lady of Lourdes was held in 1941 in a house on
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CONTEMPORARY CHURCHES (clockwise) St. Luke Lutheran, Williamsport; Our Lady of Lourdes R.C., Montoursville; Northway U. Presbyterian, Loyalsock; St. Mark's Lutheran, Williamsport; Trinity Gospel Williamsport St. Boniface R.C., Williamsport.
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St. Boniface Church (1874-1972)
Former Saint Boniface Church
Our
Sesquicentennial year
Former Pine Street Church
Fairview Drive. The new church building on Walnut Street was dedicated in 1966, and is an interesting example of modern church architecture. Begun as a mission of Our Lady of Lourdes Church was St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church in Faxon on Northway Road, organized in 1942. Its new building was dedicated ten years later in 1952.
Apart from these few examples, many of the new congregations established in the county belong to denominations not exist- ing here prior to 1940. For example, the first Assembly of God Church in the county was originally a Pentecostal Church on Moore Avenue, Williamsport. It joined that de- nomination in 1947. Today there are three Assembly of God churches in the county. The first Church of the Nazarene to open in the county did so in 1950 in Williamsport; a second opened about 1956 in Jersey Shore. In 1955 the first Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Mormons, established a permanent congregation in the county; today there are two -- one in Williamsport, another in Hep- burnville.
- Another phenomenon has been the growth of independent congre- gations not affiliated with any of the major Christian de- nominations. The Emmanuel Baptist Church on Four Mile Drive, Tabernacle Baptist Church on West Third Street, Trinity Gospel Church on Elmira Street, the Church of Sal- vation on West Fourth Street, and Maranatha Bible Church near Linden are examples. Faith Tabernacle in Williamsport was founded before 1940 but has grown considerably since then; it purchased the former Elks Club building on West Fourth Street in 1971 to house its expanding ministry. The ministry of all these new churches is intensely evangelis- tic, with a great stress placed upon Sunday School, as attested by the buses many of them use for transporting children.
DIVERSIFICATION IN RELIGION
The single most predominant characteristic of religion in Lycoming County since 1940 has been its diversification. There are more varieties and types of religious groups existing here today than there were then, and this despite the moves by major denominations toward unity and common action. The historical roots of this trend toward diversi- fication lay in the American character but are not for analysis here. Rather, Lycoming County, like all other regions of the country, has been touched by the growing pluralism of religious groups and the enthusiastic pro- selytizing which marks so many of them. Accompanying this quality has been the individualism and suspicion of hier- archical structures notable especially among the indepen- dent churches.
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RURAL CHURCHES
Since Lycoming County is primarily rural in character, rural churches continue to play an important part in its religious life. Many of the rural churches established in pioneer days still survive as witnesses to the religious faith of the early settlers. These include churches of most all of the major denominations. Innumberable wooden frame and brick houses of worship dot the countryside, standing valiantly against all the perils and dangers threatening their exist- ence. Though many of them have fallen victim to declining membership and financial stress, others continue to survive, usually as part of a larger "charge" or "circuit" which the minister visits each Sunday, holding services in two or three churches successively. This, too, is a reminder of the days when the pioneer circuit riding preachers traveled many miles each Sunday to proclaim God's message. Thus, while today most worshipers go to the preacher, there re- main outposts of the church where the preacher still goes to the worshipers.
"ECUMENISM"
Despite the religious diversity of Lycoming County, some efforts are being made to de-emphasize differences between denominations and to foster cooperation and understanding between them. "Ecumenism" is the word which describes such efforts. For many years Protestant pastors of various denominations have organized into cooperative groups or "ministeriums." Such organizations exist in many boroughs of the county, as for example, Hughesville and Jersey Shore. These associations give ministers the opportunity to work together on matters of common interest. In some towns, Ro- man Catholic priests have joined the ministerium, providing an even broader ecumenical outlook.
THE UNITED CHURCHES OF LYCOMING COUNTY
In January, 1946, the Williamsport Council of Churches was formed. Originally involving only Protestant churches in Williamsport, the organization grew in membership over suc- ceeding years and the name was changed to the United Churches of Lycoming County. Currently, the United Churches has a membership of forty-five congregations throughout the county, including one Roman Catholic parish.
The United Churches was not formed as a mechanism for creat- ing one large church, but rather "to promote the cooperation of the churches, foster Christian movements and community betterment, and to advance the Kingdom of God throughout the world. "
Functions of the United Churches of Lycoming County have
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included providing worship services and counseling for local nursing homes and the county prison; a radio ministry over two local radio stations; a ministry to migrant workers in the county; money raising projects for Church World Service which funds famine and disaster relief in stricken parts of the world. The United Churches also sponsors "Trick-or- Treat for UNICEF" at Halloween. Thus, the United Churches of Lycoming County makes it possible for churches coopera- tively to provide services and programs they would be unable to provide alone.
The work of the United Churches of Lycoming County is extend- ed through its auxiliary group known as Church Women United in Lycoming County. This group is composed of a committee of women, each of whom represents one of the major Christian denominations in the county. The primary function of Church Women United is charitable rather than social. Three times a year -- in March, May and November -- Church Women United - holds special county-wide events when women from many church- es participate in such projects as filling Christmas stock- ings for residents of the institutions and nursing homes in the county or in raising money for local and world-wide human relief efforts. Another charitable religious group is B'nai B'rith, a Jewish organization which has a local chap- ter. This group is devoted to raising money for charitable causes of a local and world-wide concern.
OTHER ECUMENICAL GROUPS
Other ecumenical groups in the county include the local chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, an organization which seeks to foster understanding between these two major religious bodies in our country. Then there is the local Christian Women's Club, founded in 1968 and affliated with a larger national organization. The club meets for a luncheon in Williamsport once a month to hear a religious speaker, and for entertainment. The group is open to all women interested in Christian fellowship. The primary mission project of the national organization, which the local group supports, is to provide funds to keep village churches open in remote regions of the country.
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