At the Webb Weekly Christmas Dinner in 2015, Jim Webb Jr. took me aside and said, “Larry, we really like your Leader in Our Neighborhood features, but we would love for you to write more.” I responded, “Sure, but what ‘more’ do you have in mind?” After a number of weeks exploring the pros and cons of various options, we were running out of ideas. Then Jim suggested doing a regular series on county government. Personally, I thought nothing could be more boring, but I felt I had to give it a shot.

So it was, on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 that I attended my first work session of the Lycoming County Commissioners. It was far more interesting than I expected. I was especially fascinated by the three commissioners; Jack McKernan, Tony Mussare, and Rick Mirabito. I was hooked. After the meeting, I came back and talked with my editor, Steph Nordstrom, and we decided this could become an interesting series. We tossed around some names on what to call it, and finally settled on “County Hall Corner.”

Since that time, I have now seen (counting this one) 99 County Hall Corner articles published for Webb Weekly. In preparation for my centennial edition, I wanted to sit down and talk with each of those three men that so initially intrigued me and get their perspectives on these past two and a half years.

It is only seemed right to begin with Jack McKernan, given that he is the chairman of the board of commissioners. New to politics when he began his term in January of 2016, Jack demonstrated real wisdom by concentrating on gaining a solid understanding of county government operations. This is a full-time job in itself, as county government covers over 30 departments and employs 545 people, and has a budget of some $100 million. This meant countless hours of listening and learning. But, in addition, Jack and the other two commissioners had to spend time going out to the various municipalities to learn what the issues were there, and how best the county could help to deal with them.

Knowing how to be a good county commissioner requires training, and again, Jack McKernan made this a high priority. Commissioner McKernan has devoted his spare time toward completing a 40 credit hour series of PA Municipal Planning Code (MPC) courses and will graduate from the CCAP Academy of Excellence this fall having completed eight core classes and 18 elective classes.

The fruits of these labors are seen in the way he chairs the County Commissioners Meetings. He seems to have the patience of Job while navigating a more interactive style of weekly meeting than is seen in other government entities. This was especially evidenced last year in a very hostile environment that arose over the $5 car registration fee that was used to help the county replace 17-19 structurally deficient bridges, the majority of which will be accomplished without general revenue funds. It took a firm hand to quell that storm because the public was not grasping the reality that without the county’s initiative, the local municipalities would have to have spent millions on bridge repair and replacements, which would likely have had to come from increased real estate taxes.

Commissioner McKernan exhibits a quiet leadership, steering through the present with a keen eye on the future. This means focusing on difficult ‘now’ issues like budget and expense reductions and at the same time addressing future concerns like working along with the Greater Williamsport Alliance to find a solution for the levee woes.

Jack McKernan might not have the natural charisma that many identify with a leader, but his leadership is not superficial. He has worked hard in developing his knowledge and skills these past couple of years and combined this with a strong moral compass that has served him well through a sea of changing times. Jack McKernan is the real deal.

Editor’s Note: Well folks, try as I might to avoid it, I made a mistake. This article was intended to run before the article on Rick Mirabito and Tony Mussare. I apologize for the error.