(4/2024) The Pennsylvania April 23rd Primary Election is rapidly approaching. Here are some critical election dates to remember. April 8 is last day to register to vote. April 16 is last day to request mail-in or absentee ballot. The last day to receive completed ballots is April 23RD by 8 p.m.. Ballots received after 8 p.m. on April 23 by any method, including by mail with an earlier postmark, will not be counted.

A reminder that the Adams County Elections Office has moved from the historic courthouse to the lobby of 911 Center, next to the Adams County Prison on Greenamyer Lane. The location provides easy parking, more lobby and office space, and increased storage, oversight and security of elections materials and equipment. The Adams County Voter Registration & Elections Office telephone number is 717-337-9832.

With another election cycle looming, both the PA House and Senate committees recently discussed a myriad of election-related issues during the Department of State’s budget hearings. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt fielded questions regarding voter education, recruiting new poll workers, use of mail-in ballot drop-boxes, modernizing the Statewide Uniform Registry of Elections (SURE) database, election misinformation, Gov. Shapiro’s new Election Threats Task Force, and Pennsylvania’s April 23 primary falling on the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Secretary Schmidt also advocated for additional pre-canvassing time for counties to process ballots. Counties have been clamoring for more pre-canvass time to process mail-in ballots. Legislators say they are for it, but yet internal politics within the legislature have not allowed it to move forward as other unacceptable riders are attached to it. Ask you legislators why this can’t be moved forward as a single matter?

Strategic land preservation is important to maintain Adams County’s rural character, wonderful vistas, and agricultural economy. At the March 20TH public meeting an agreement was approved that provides for a purchase of an easement for the purpose of preserving 94 acres of agricultural land owned by the Maring family in Cumberland Township. The toral purchase price was $309,381 of which $93,776 will be paid by the County, and the remainder paid by the Commonwealth and Cumberland Township. This is just one stellar example of three different levels of government collaborating to preserve land that benefits current and future generations!

The Adams County Board of Commissioners has no greater responsibility than to protect the health, safety, life & welfare of our citizen. To that end, Air Methods will continue to operate its air ambulance helicopter service from Adams County’s Emergency Services facility (911 Center) on Greenamyer Lane. At the March 20 public meeting, the Board signed a new 1-year agreement with Air Methods as a tenant at the county complex for the rate of $34,900 annually. The agreement includes secured staging for the helicopter as well as office space. Most importantly, when minutes count, this med-vac helicopter will be staged and centrally located for rapid deployment to all of Adams County and the surrounding area.

Effective 911 service and adequate funding are critical planks in providing for the health, safety, and welfare of our County residents. During the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s (PEMA) budget hearing on February 21, the House Appropriations Committee discussed a number of topics related to 911 service delivery in Pennsylvania, including progress on the NextGen911 (NG911) rollout and addressing 911 staffing shortages. Questions also focused on recent efforts by counties to increase the 911 surcharge from $1.65 to $2.30, and the need to look ahead to 2026 when the surcharge is again set to sunset. Funding of 911 for counties is not an option! Let your legislators know that taxpayers would rather pay a slightly higher fee on their monthly cell phone bill - then have their property taxes raised to fund critical and essential 911 services.

Year after year, the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) has deemed mental health funding as an overwhelming priority for counties. Mental health services were recently the subject of discussion across both chambers in several contexts, not only with DHS and the Department of Health (DOH), but also with the Department of Education, state-related universities, and others. Many agencies highlighted the need for increased services, and emphasized the Governor’s budget request, which includes $20 million for county mental health base funding, the most flexible form of community-based funding for service provision and responding to community mental health needs. Coordination between counties and schools was also part of the conversations during the House DHS budget hearings. Gov. Shapiro's budget includes $100 million annually for mental health services in schools, expanding on the previous one-time allocation of $100 million in last year's Act 34.

Inmates with Mental Health issues is a large component of the overall mental health issue for Pennsylvania counties. The Senate budget hearing with DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh also recognized the reality that county jails have become de-facto mental health providers and discussed the department’s efforts to address a shortage of beds for justice-involved individuals or those with complex behavior health issues. Further, Arkoosh noted that the proposed $5.8 million to expand a diversion and discharge program for inmates with behavior health issues would be spent on five regional projects to provide community placements and therefore avoid hospital stays for 150 people.

Controller Tammy Myers reported at the Commissioners meeting on March 20 that the Adams County Controller’s Office qualified for the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. This will be the 6th year in a row that the Adams County Controllers Office has received this award! Kudos to the Controller Team!

In Adams County 4-H is a big deal! 4-H significantly impacts the lives of many young residents. That experience benefits them for life. Darlene Resh, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Adams County Penn State Extension, was recognized for over 44 years of dedicated service to Adams County youth at the March 6TH public meeting. Darlene received a well-deserved standing ovation. At an earlier event, Darlene who is a 4-H pistol and rifle target shooting instructor, received a new shotgun from her peers and colleagues. It is impossible to calculate the impact that Darlene had on the lives of so many Adams County youth and residents. Job well done and best wishes Darlene Resh!

No matter what you do, get out there and experience all the historical, recreational, agricultural, natural, and cultural opportunities that beautiful Adams County has to offer!