Blair County Welcomes Two New Commissioners As Two Say Goodbye

The newly renovated Courtroom 1 at the Blair County Courthouse was the scene for what Blair County Commissioner Bruce Erb called "one of our nation's most valued principals, the orderly transfer of authority the rule of law allows."

Before President Judge Elizabeth Doyle administered Pennsylvania's path to newly elected and re-elected county officials, Erb paid tribute to the two men who sat on either side of him at the commissionerss' table for the past four years as well as retiring County Administrator and Chief Clerk Helen Schmidt.

"I was privileged to work closely with Commissioners Ted Beam and Terry Tomassetti, as well as County Administrator and Chief Clerk Helen Schmidt," he said. "Three of the finest public servants and friends."

Collectively, Beam, Tomasetti and Schmidt served in the commissioner's office for a total of 46 years.

Erb praised Tomassetti for his vision in spearheading the courthouse renovations saying today "we are surrounded by your legacy."

Tomassetti, in his farewell address to the county, thanked the citizens for putting their trust in him as commissioner.

"Thank you to the citizens of Blair County for the opportunity to serve here for the last 10 years," He said. "It has been exciting, challenging, difficult but wonderful ride. I hope the new commissioners, and all the elected officials, find the experience as wonderful as I did. It is indeed a humbling honor to be able to work for the citizens of this county."

Beam thanked the citizens of Blair County for the opportunity to serve and said his time as commissioner is a highlight of his life.

"These past eight years have been one of the greatest experiences of my life," he said. "I truly loved every moment of my time here, and I thank the citizens of Blair County for the opportunity to serve them."

Beam also congratulated newly elected commissioner Laura Burke and pledged to be available to her if she needed any advice as she begins her new job.

"To Laura Burke, my successor as the minority commissioner, I know you will do well as you assume the duties of this important position today," He said. "I pledge I will always be there for advice if you should want another opinion on an issue. Good luck Commissioner Burke, I know you will do well."

Beam also said he was proud of the fact that the board he served on was able to work together outside of party lines to get things done for the county.

"If folks in Washington in both sides of the aisle, could follow our working relationship, they would do a much better job and get some things done for the people they represent," he said. "Our relationship and friendship are things in which I am very proud. We have gotten a great many things done that will benefit this county for many years."

Erb said he looks forward to working with the new commissioners to continue the county's forward progress.

"I welcome the chance to work with new commissioners Laura Burke and Amy Webster, as well as well as Nicole Hemminger, our new county administrator and chief clerk. They bring a wide-range of skills and perspectives to the table."

Webster thanked her supporters for their encouragement and support and said she looks for a bright future for the county.

"We enter a new year, and a new decade full of hope and a bright future for the citizens of Blair County," she said. "We, the newly elected officials of Blair County, we all have a mandate from the voters of our community to streamline our county government, cut back spending and taxes where we can and respect our citizens as well as their rights."

Burke, who once served as a law clerk for Judge Doyle in the same courtroom where she was being sworn in as commissioner thanked her family and voters for the journey that led her to a commissioners seat.

"Running for office gave me a chance to explore what is possible and how to achieve it," she said. "We want to make what we know is possible for Blair County by identifying what is possible and taking the steps to make it a reality."

In their first meeting as a board, Erb was once again chosen to serve as commissioners' chairman while Burke will serve as vice chairman. Webster will be the commissioners' board secretary.