Clarion commissioners likely to extend disaster declaration

By RANDY BARTLEY

Staff writer

Clarion County commissioners on Tuesday discussed extending the declaration of disaster emergency for the second time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The county initially adopted the declaration in March.

Commissioner Wayne Brosius said the declaration allows the county to engage in emergency management measures that may be required to be proactive to reduce the potential severity of the coronavirus and to “protect the health, safety and welfare of the affected residents of Clarion County.”

The declaration directed the Clarion County Department of Public Safety emergency management coordinator to coordinate the activities of the emergency response and to work with state and federal authorities to take all “appropriate actions” needed to alleviate the potential effects of the disaster, to aid in the restoration of essential public services and to take “other emergency response action” deemed necessary to respond to the emergency.

The county formed a leadership committee that includes various department heads. The committee will meet as needed in response to the COVID-19 emergency.

The declaration suspends certain “time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law” pertaining to public works, entering into contracts, incurring obligations, hiring of temporary workers, renting equipment, purchasing supplies and materials and levying taxes.

The commissioners are expected to adopt the declaration at their business meeting Tuesday. The declaration will remain in force until it is terminated in writing.

“Hopefully this will be the last time we need to do this,” Commissioner Ted Tharan said.

By RANDY BARTLEY

Staff writer

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