USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Picture of Lycoming County, Vol. 2 > Part 9
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The libraries in Muncy and Hughesville opened in 1937 and 1941 respectively. All the public libraries in the county are supported by state, county and local funds, though in recent years moves to establish groups of Library Friends have increased the prospect of private contributions.
THE FIRST COUNTY LIBRARY
Until 1946, the James V. Brown Library served only William- sport and environs. £ It was not until 1939, that the Lycoming
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County commissioners authorized money for a free county library. The first county library was not a building with shelves of books and librarians working behind counters. Instead, it was the original bookmobile to be used in Lycom- ing County. The person most responsible for its inception was Clarence H. McConnel, then Assistant County Superinten- dent of schools, later to become Superintendent in 1947.
Mr. McConnel was acutely aware of the deficiency of reading materials in rural schools. He believed a mobile library was the key to the solution. After several unsuccessful attempts at persuading the county commissioners to fund the project, he finally got them to agree to include it in the 1939 county budget. The county appropriated $3,000 and the state contributed $1,500, along with the loan of 2,000 books from the state library.
The bookmobile, or county library as it was called, was placed under the supervision of the James V. Brown Library Board, headed by Dr. O. R. Howard Thomson. The board pur- chased the bookmobile and hired a staff to operate it. The directors of the school districts in the county served by the library also contributed annually toward the operation of the library. There were 47 distribution stations through- out the county the first year that the bookmobile was in operation. All these stations were necessarily in remote areas of the county due to the limited funds available. For the first time, places such as English Center, Bodines and Elimsport, had a library service on a regular basis.
The name of the bookmobile, "Aladdin's Lamp, " was submitted during a countywide contest by two pupils in the Eight- square School in Moreland Township. Ever since that first year, the bookmobile has served the needs of students and adults in the county's remoter regions.
It was in 1946 that the mobile county library and the James V. Brown Library merged into one. From then on the Brown Library has been the center of the county library system. A new Bookmobile was purchased at the time of the merger to accomodate a larger, more diverse number of books to help satisfy an ever increasing demand.
In 1962, the first bookmobile provided by the state was put into service. Over the years the state government has con- tributed an increasing amount of support to the county li- brary, so that today nearly 43 percent of the library bud- get comes from state funds. A total of 48 percent is still provided by appropriations from the county and the city of Williamsport.
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James V. Brown Library
Bookmobile at Rose Valley School
THE JAMES V. BROWN LIBRARY
Ever since its founding, the James V. Brown Library has ex- panded its range of services to benefit more and more people. While most of the money comes from the government, the Friends of the Library also help in promoting the library and raising funds. The Friends were largely instrumental in raising $300,000 in 1972, the first fund drive ever held for the library. With the money raised, renovations were made and badly needed expansion was undertaken.
In 1961, the state legislature created the Pennsylvania Library Code which established library districts throughout the state, effective in 1969. This meant that smaller li- braries could now draw upon the resources of larger ones. The James V. Brown Library was designated the headquarters of the eleven-county northcentral Pennsylvania district. All other libraries in the district now look to Brown for technical and material assistance. Brown, in turn, looks to the state library in Harrisburg for assistance. Thus, what may seem like a relatively simple and straightforward operation is really quite complex with much diverse work going on behind the scenes.
The James V. Brown Library is more than just a place to take out books. It also has a well-stocked reference room with a full-time staff to answer questions and to offer assistance in matters of research. Recently the tracing of genealogical roots has become a popular hobby for many people. The Brown Library has built a collection of many resources, census records and other materials essential to genealogical study.
Many other services mentioned earlier are a routine part of Brown's program, all for the convenience and free use of the public. Like the hospitals and volunteer fire companies, the libraries of Lycoming County have grown from limited, sometimes non-existent entities since 1940. The general public has desired such facilities and the government has responded in the case of the libraries. In turn, the li- braries have helped create a more enlightened and informed public, which is the primary function of any library.
When the wealthy lumberman James V. Brown left his generous bequest for the founding of a library back in 1907, he could not have imagined the future extent and influence of that library within the county and beyond to eleven neighboring counties. Indeed, if he were to see the results of his gift today, his surprise would be mixed with much pride.
WATER COMPANIES
Another important service to county residents is provided by
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the water companies, which since the late 1800's, have pro- vided a convenient, safe and constant supply of water to many regions of the county. The major development among them since 1940 has been the move toward public ownership . Today the Jersey Shore Water Company is the only one in the county which is still privately owned. Its owners, however, did make overtures in 1978 to the Jersey Shore borough council, offering the water company for sale. Studies by the borough on the matter are currently underway. The Jersey Shore Water Company serves Jersey Shore, parts of several neighboring townships, and Salladasburg.
All other water systems in the county are municipally owned. The Montoursville water system, in operation since the late 1800's, is the only one in the county to have been publicly owned from its beginning.
The Williamsport water system, founded in 1856, was the first privately owned system in the county to be purchased by a municipality. It supplies water to more people than any other system in Lycoming County, serving customers in Williamsport, South Williamsport, Duboistown, Loyalsock Township and Old Lycoming Township.
THE WILLIAMSPORT WATER COMPANY
The purchase of the Williamsport Water Company by the city resulted from a suggestion made in the early 1940's by a Williamsport businessman, Thomas Rider, that the Community Trade Association (Chamber of Commerce ) appoint a committee to study the idea. This was done, and on December 20, 1944, the CTA committee recommended that the city purchase the water company. The committee suggested that city ownership of the company would save water patrons thousands of dollars in water bills because municipal facilities are not subject to income tax.
In 1946 the water company was purchased by the city for over $5,500,000 from its owner, John H. Ware, Jr. Bonds to purchase the company were issued carrying interest rates from 1 5/8 percent to two percent for a forty year period. At the same time, the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority was created to operate the water company.
Water services to western areas of Williamsport and Old Lycoming Township were installed in 1967 when approximately five miles of sixteen and twelve inch pipe were laid to these regions. Among the largest of Williamsport's reservoirs are the Mosquito Creek Reservoir, built between 1950 and 1951, and the Frank E. Heller Impoundment, constructed between 1972 and 1975. Each are 530,000,000 gallon impoundments of earth embankment construction, and are located in valleys on a wholly controlled 10,000 acre water shed situated
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between North White Deer Ridge and Bald Eagle Mountain in Lycoming County.
OTHER WATER COMPANIES
The other privately owned water companies to be purchased by municipalities were those in Muncy in 1966, and Hughesville and Montgomery in 1968. All of these facilities have been in existence since the late 1800's and early 1900's. A portion of Picture Rocks had been served by a private co- operatively owned water system up to 1977 but it was so badly damaged that year by the harsh winter that repairs to it proved too expensive and it was abandoned.
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QUESTIONS CHAPTER 9
1. List hospitals located in Lycoming County.
2. Contrast the county's hospital facilities in 1940 with the present.
3. How has the need for rural fire protection been met?
4. Describe the accomplishments of the West Branch Fire- men's Association.
5. Locate the oldest public library in the county.
6. List other public libraries in the county.
7. How does the James V. Brown Library serve areas outside Williamsport?
8. What major development has affected most of the water companies of the county since the 1940's?
9. The Williamsport Water System serves what communities?
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Chapter 10
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Wherever there is government, there is politics. One does not exist without the other. The difference between them is that government ideally operates on law, cooperation and jus- tice, whereas politics operates on competition, opinion and persuasion. Both government and politics have played an important part in Lycoming County's history, and many in- dividuals have distinguished themselves through them.
In Lycoming County there are two levels of government: county and municipal. The three types of municipal govern- ment are city, borough and township. Williamsport is the only city in the county. There are nine boroughs and 42 townships. The county government is primarily concerned with the administration of the courts, the assessment of property for local taxes, the registration of voters and conduct of elections, the operation of the county home, and the administration of numerous welfare and service agencies.
The municipal governments are primarily concerned with .providing necessary local services and the maintenance of order and safety in each community. Thus, depending on their size, municipal governments may provide street lighting, police protection (and in Williamsport, fire protection) and maintenance of municipal streets and roads. And while the non-elected government employees see to the day-to-day operation of government, it is the elected office holders who as representatives of the people, set the policies and establish the directions of government. some instances, as with most county offices, the elected
In positions are paid full-time jobs. In other instances, as with most township offices, elected positions are usually part-time and at commensurate pay. But regardless of whether they are full or part-time positions, it is through these elected offices, and hence through politics, that citizens and taxpayers can and do regularly influence the policies and operations of government.
POLITICS ARE NOT STATIC
Because the problems facing county and municipal govern- ments are ever changing, the political issues of local communities change also. This means that at various times taxes, streets and roads, sewage treatment, crime, housing and other issues may enter the political sphere. This also means that the work of government is never finished and that the political pressures upon elected officials are constant. Yet it is due to such political pressures that changes in government are initiated and government is kept responsive to the needs of the people. This is a vital factor in our democratic system at all levels of government.
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Political pressures and changes have been as real and ne- cessary in Lycoming County as anywhere else, and there have been many since 1940. The role of county government has ex- panded greatly since then. Responsibilities have been added in many new areas. Even though some offices, such as that of county school superintendent, have been abolished, many others have come into being. In municipal government during this period, Williamsport voters approved a change in the city's form of government, and in party politics, the senti- ment and affiliation of Lycoming County voters have taken on some new and interesting trends.
REPUBLICAN STRONGHOLD
Traditionally, Lycoming County has been a Republican strong- hold. Republican registrations have consistently outnumbered Democratic registrations by the thousands. In 1940, there were 5,500 more Republicans than Democrats in the county. By 1952 this gap had widened to 12,000. The political com- lexion of the county, however, has taken a new turn since then. The Republican registrations have steadily diminished to a lead over the Democrats of under 2,000 in 1977. And in Williamsport the Democrats actually captured the lead from the Republicans in 1977 by 300 registrations. Whether this trend is the result of a nation-wide movement toward the Democratic party or just a temporary readjustment, political affiliation in the county has certainly become more balanced.
Nevertheless, Republican strength over the years is undeni- able as seen in the results of presidential elections. Only twice since 1936 has Lycoming County given a majority to the Democratic presidential candidate. Franklin D. Roosevelt beat out Alfred M. Landon in 1936 and Lyndon B. Johnson de- feated Barry M. Goldwater in 1964. But of the six other times since 1936 that Democrats have won presidential elec- tions nationally, Lycoming County voters favored the Re- publican candidate each time.
The same Republican strength has been exhibited in local elections. Republican candidates have stood a better chance at being elected than their Democratic opponents just by virtue of Republican strength. On the other hand, Lycoming County voters do not just tow the party line. They
can and do exhibit a great deal of independence in choosing their elected officials. Even in a strongly Republican county such as this one, many Democrats have won elections to political office.
At the very peak of Republican strength during the early 1950's, the Democrats swept the county in the election of 1954. The Democratic candidate for Governor, George M. Leader, won in Lycoming County. Also, the Democrat and former Jersey Shore Burgess, Miles R. Derk, unseated his
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Republican opponent for the State Senate, John G. Snowden, who had served four terms and was seeking his fifth. Also, both seats from the county in the State Assembly were won by Democrats -- former prothonotary, Perry M. Paulhamus, and the former principal of the Sheridan School, Lawrence Swartz. This Democratic landslide though was short lived. Four years later, in 1958, the Republicans recaptured all these posts except for the Williamsport seat in the State Assembly held by Mr. Swartz. Dr. Derk was defeated for his reelection to the State Senate by Williamsport business- man, Z. H. Confair.
POLITICAL FIGURES
Lycoming County has known a host of other important politi- cal figures. Though not a resident of the county, Robert F. Rich of Woolrich served eight terms in Congress from this district and had a significant impact on Republican poli- tics in the county. After Mr. Rich, all U. S. Congressmen for this district have been from Lycoming County. Rich's immediate successor was Alvin R. Bush of Muncy who died in office, having served four terms. Then Herman T. Schneebeli of Williamsport served eight terms. In 1976, the first Democrat to win this congressional seat since 1940 was for- mer District Attorney Allen Ertel. Other important politi- cal figures in the county during this period included Charles S. Williams, a Republican, who became Judge in 1943 after serving as District Attorney. Judge Williams was re- elected in 1953, but lost a third term in 1963 to Democrat Thomas Wood of Muncy. The current President Judge, Charles Greevey, also a Democrat, is now in his third ten-year term, having succeeded Judge Donald Larrabee in 1952.
CHANGES IN THE REELECTION OF JUDGES
The method for reelecting county judges was greatly altered under the revised Pennsylvania Constitution of 1968. Prior to that, Common Pleas judges stood for reelection against an opponent every ten years. The revised constitution al- tered this by establishing a voting procedure for retention or revocation of the judge seeking reelection. Thus, the judge does not run against an opposing candidate. This procedure was designed to keep as much politics as possible out of the choosing of judges. On the other hand, if a judge does not choose to seek reelection, the regular pro- cedure for elections is followed.
In 1973, Judge Thomas Wood lost his retention vote under the new procedure. Judge Wood was supported by the County Law Association and Bar Association, but was victim to a great deal of strong opposition from such local citizens' groups as Victims of Crime and Citizens for Democracy. Both groups represented strong views on issues such as the
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treatment of juvenile offenders, pornographic book stores and fluoridation of drinking water. As a result of Judge Wood's defeat, Governor Milton Shapp appointed Democrat Thomas Raup to Judge Wood's chair in 1974. Judge Raup was then elected to a full term in 1975.
WILLIAMSPORT MAYORS
A significant development in Williamsport politics was the reelection in 1947 of Mayor Leo C. Williamson, a Republican and local restaurant owner, to an unprecedented third term. The popular Mr. Williamson served from 1940 to 1952, longer than any other mayor in Williamsport's history. Mayor Williamson was succeeded by Republican Clifford L. Harman in 1952. Since then, Williamsport has alternated between Democratic and Republican mayors. The only mayor to win two terms after Mayor Williamson was Thomas H. Levering, the first Democrat ever to succeed himself in that office. Mayor Levering served from 1956 to 1964. After Mayor Lever- ing, Williamsport has had a succession of one term mayors. They were Republican Raymond Knaur from 1964 to 1968; Demo- crat Richard Carey, 1968 to 1972; and Republican John R. Coder, 1972 to 1976. The current mayor is Democrat Daniel P. Kirby.
STRONG-MAYOR PLAN
All third class cities in Pennsylvania were restricted by state law to the Commission form of government from 1913 to 1957. As a third class city, Williamsport adopted the Com- mission form in 1914. Then in July, 1957, the Pennsylvania legislature enacted the "Optional Third Class City Charter Law. " This law gave all third-class cities the right to adopt the Council-Manager Plan, the Mayor-Council Plan or to retain the Commission Plan of government.
At the 1963 November election, Williamsport's voters approv- ed the creation of a charter commission to study the advisa- bility of the city adopting a new governmental structure. Known as the Williamsport Charter Commission, the group con- sisted of nine elected members from the city. At its first meeting Williamsport attorney John C. Youngman, Sr. was chosen as chairman of the commission. After a year of study, the commission recommended the Council-Manager Plan to the voters. The voters, however, turned down the proposal in a referendum on November 3, 1964.
Six years later in May, 1970, city voters approved the re- commendation of a new study commission to adopt the Strong- Mayor form. The change became effective January 1, 1972, and for the first time in many years, the mayor acquired significant new powers. Under the Commission form, the city council and mayor share administrative and law-making
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responsibilities. The mayor is, in effect, the head council- man, as it is his function to preside at council meetings. Under the new Strong-Mayor form, however, the mayor acts as chief administrative officer and supervises the work of all department heads; he cannot vote at meetings of city council.
The mayor is responsible for preparing the annual city bud- get and approving all ordinances and resolutions passed by council. The seven-member city council, on the other hand, must approve the mayor's annual budget and can override the mayor's veto of ordinances and resolutions. Thus, unlike the Commission form, the Strong-Mayor form separates the executive and legislative functions of city government in much the same way as in the state and federal governments.
Prior to implementation of the Strong-Mayor form, a transi- tion committee recommended an organizational structure for the new government. The heart of the committee's recom- mendation, later adopted by council, was the organization of the city government into the three departments of Ad- ministration, Public Services and Public Saftey, each one headed by a director appointed by the mayor. The Admin- istration Department includes the services of personnel and budget preparation; the Public Services Department in- cludes the operation and maintenance of city facilities such as sewers, streets, dikes, parks and the landfill; the Public Safety Department includes the police and fire bureaus.
W. CLYDE HARER
One of the most active individuals in both Williamsport and Lycoming County politics was W. Clyde Harer, who served in as many elective offices as perhaps any other man in the county's history. Mr. Harer served as a Williamsport school director not long after his graduation from high school in 1905. Later he served as a member of the William- sport City Council. During the 1930's Mr. Harer went to Harrisburg as the State Assemblyman from Williamsport, serving there several terms. Eventually Mr. Harer was to be elected to three different county offices. These included the offices of Register and Recorder, Treasurer, and County Commissioner. In 1968, at the age of 82, Mr. Harer retired from political life and county service after a career that spanned from the presidencies of Theodore Roose- velt to Lyndon B. Johnson. It seems ironic that at virtually the same time as Mr. Harer's retirement from county govern- ment, the old Lycoming County Courthouse was razed to make way for the new courthouse. Both events symbolized the passing of an era in the history of Lycoming County, its government and politics.
POLITICAL SCANDALS
Although both state and federal office holders have been
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victims of scandal and impropriety in recent years, Lycoming County has suffered relatively little from such difficulties. Yet the slate in the county has not been completely clean. Two cases of minor proportions came to light involving Sheriff Charles E. Green in 1964 and Mayor John R. Coder of Williamsport in 1974. During his second term Sheriff Green was forced to resign his office and was replaced by L. Eugene Pauling who has remained in that capacity to the pres- ent.
The case involving Mayor Coder came under the scrutiny of then District Attorney Allen Ertel in 1973 after allega- tions were made by individuals on the City Council that phone conversations from City Hall were tapped and that the Mayor and Public Safety Director John Samony were responsi- ble. A battle ensued which resulted in complicated and lengthy legal proceedings. The District Attorney's in- vestigation revealed that wiretapping equipment had been installed in City Hall. The mayor's argument was that threats were made on his life and the tap was a necessary precaution. The mayor had notified the FBI of information recovered from the tap. As a result of the investigations, Mayor Coder was indicted for wiretapping, false swearing, obstruction of justice, misconduct in office and criminal conspiracy. The Director of Public Safety, John M. Samony, was believed to have collaborated with the mayor and was indicted on the same charges, except misconduct in office.
In view of the considerable publicity Mayor Coder's case received and the mayor's belief that the atmosphere in the county was prejudicial to him, his request for a change of venue for the trail was granted by visiting Judge Robert M. Kemp of Tioga County. The State Supreme Court then relo- cated the Coder trail to the town of Mercer in Western Pennsylvania. The jury there convicted Coder of three charges: wiretapping, conspiracy, and false swearing. The judge threw out the false swearing conviction, ruling that it had not been established beyond reasonable doubt. Public Safety Director Samony had previously pleaded quilty to the wiretapping charges and was sentenced to a fine.
On February 7, 1975, almost two years after the initial charges were brought against Coder, the Mercer County judge sentenced him for the two remaining convictions -- intercep- tion of telephone communications and conspiracy. The mayor received a fine and a suspended prison sentence. He was not, however, required to resign his office and served his full four-year term. He was defeated for reelection in 1975 by Daniel Kirby, the Democratic candidate.
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