Looking back at Page 1 in 2014 / By Martha Knight

Topics from Reporter Argus front pages and Obits combine for a handy digest of what happened in the community in 2014.

In January we rejoiced that our Gators and Lady Gators had won their own Holiday Basketball Tournament. County commissioners didn’t raise taxes, having boosted them the previous year. A sewer line clog, mistakenly diagnosed by the borough as being in the homeowners’ own connector line, forced the Shaun and Heather Nance family from their home and created much mess and costly digging and line replacement.

Ski Denton was going strong. The borough appointed Christa Schott solicitor, replacing Michael Alfieri.

The school board saw a presentation on website needs, and authorized a new “from scratch” site, to cost about $200 a month for maintenance. George Riley took office as mayor.

The Potter-McKean Players set auditions for “100 Years of Broadway.” The school board solicited letters of application from would-be appointees to the seat vacated by Gary Hardes. Mary Lashway became borough tax collector. The National Honor Society inducted 16.

We lost Mary Ellen Lewis, Wayne Knowlton, Elaine Johnson, Edith M. Roller, Lester E. “Pete” Ernst, David A. Bockoras, and Loraine J. Moore Bova.

In February the borough council decided to try parking changes at Maple Commons. Charles Kysor made All-East Honors Choir. The PAHS music department presented Centerstage.

Jason Stake was appointed to the school board, and the board was asked to consider adding junior-high soccer. County commissioners heard from Jim Herzog about Clean and Green use rates.

Port Allegany Area Economic Development Corp. (PAAEDC) heard about pipeline building “ripple effects,”

Liberty Township supervisors granted a stormwater management waiver to Welded Construction, and acknowledged the difficulties of trying to legislate sobriety on the part of officials at meetings.

Theresa “Betty” Brown Knapp was feted on her 90th birthday. Commissioners decided to update Court House HVAC. The school board decided a new Head Start group could use a classroom in the elementary school.

We lost Judith D. Maben, Opal J. Moshier, Kathryn M. Hall, and learned of the death of Doris Duhart Gilmore (in Crawford, Nebraska, at 104).

In March Susan Roboski announced her plans to retire on April 14, after 24 years as borough secretary. The borough council heard that other grant funds might be obtained instead of the PennWorks grant that was not approved, for $500,000 worth of sewer line replacements.

New county planning director Ken Baldwin was appointed to positions on some boards, and Andrew Johnson was appointed 911 Center director. Liberty Township supervisors accepted a $1,538,150 Pennsylvania First grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development, for a sewer and water line extension project.

Liberty Township supervisors hoped to get some Act 13 funding, reducing the amount that would have to be borrowed to pay for the local share of the cost of the sewer and water line project. Howie Gustafson tried to retire as a columnist, but new topics “lured” him back. Commissioner Al Pingie got around on a scooter after his Achilles tendon surgery.

The school board decided to stick with its current phone system for another year while exploring other systems. Superintendent Gary Buchsen proposed partnering with a school system in China in an exchange program, and the board agreed, 5 to 2. Paul Meissner exited as McKean County maintenance director.

We lost former resident Samuel David O’Connor, Harold “Roy” Williams, Samuel G. McMeekin (in New Jersey), Helen Samson Maynard (in Wellsboro), Virginia A. Kio, William T. McEnteer and Eleanore Turner.

In April, locals with space available welcomed boarders and renters who work for Welded Construction. Moe’s on the Green was opened at the Smethport Country Club by Todd Moses and Laura Fillhart.

County commissioners adjusted community development block grants (CDBG) as recommended by the McKean County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (MCHRA). The borough council heard that PennDOT will cover 75 percent of the cost of relocating a water line when the South Main Street bridge is replaced in the summer of 2015, and also heard that Penny Lilly is the new billing clerk, replacing Karen Reed, who was appointed borough secretary.

The school board split 5 to 4, but did hire a list of nine coaches. The board voted to put a fence around the basketball court at Community Park and to resurface the main gymnasium floor. PAAEDC voted to commit up to $6,000 to creating a boat launch in Roulette, a first step in developing a water trail on the Allegheny River.

The Fun Run was held, raising some money for the library. The Port Allegany Main Street Revitalization Corp. (PAMSRC) sponsored a meeting to explore the sustainability of the Main Street business area. County commissioners heard a presentation about the Mental Health Bell.

We lost Dorothy A. Strait, J. Susan Minard, Lawrence O. Griffith Jr., Dennis L. Wilfong, and Margaret J. Keeney.

In May David Sullens was named to head Tioga Publishing and will be publisher of the Reporter Argus, along with other publications. A survey explored the viability of a continued swimming pool program.

“Hats Off to Broadway” was presented by the Players. Pittsburgh Corning Corp. named James R. Kane chairman and CEO. County commissioners appointed Philip L. Clabaugh full-time public defender. The borough council decided to buy bullet-proof vests for its police officers, fronting the money in anticipation of reimbursement from a granting agency. The Junior-Senior Prom was held.

“Godspell” was presented by the PAHS music department and Drama Club. The school board got serious about a temporary home for soccer, and decided to make some alterations on part of Moose Park. Council member Eric Button proposed a spring cleanup day to the borough council, and agreed to undertake a need and feasibility study.

Keith White & Sons Excavating demolished the Grand Theater. Liberty Township supervisors chose First National Bank of Port Allegany as their lender for the sewer and water line extension project, and will borrow up to $400,000 as needed.

We lost Ronald L. Falk, Mark A. Chelgreen, Aileen J. Shick and Delbert W. Baxter.

In June the class of 2014 graduated. The school board approved a $14,176,307 budget. Liberty Township supervisors heard from engineer Curt Wallace about plans for Eric Johnston’s mobile home park.  The county planning commission favors the plan, contingent on water and sewerage being available. Don Mangold was honored on his 90th birthday.

Paula Moses retired after 35 years as an elementary teacher. State Representative Marty Causer was the speaker at the PAAEDC meeting. Pierce Federal Credit Union bought and began renovating the former public library building. School assessment scores for 2013-14 showed encouraging gains.

We lost Herbert C. Wendt and Robert R. Brock.