BELLEFONTE — On Tuesday, October 28, the Board of Commissioners issued two proclamations underscoring Centre County’s commitment to honoring service—one recognizing Military Appreciation Month and another designating National Family Caregivers Month.
Military Appreciation Month honors the dedication and sacrifice of US Armed Forces service members. The Board emphasized the importance of recognizing all who have served, including active duty service members, veterans, wounded warriors and their families.
This year, the proclamation is highlighting Medal of Honor recipients. One recipient, Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, is a Penn State graduate who went above the call of duty in the line of service.
As part of the month-long designation, there will be a week of activities held between Tuesday, 11/7, and Tuesday, 11/14. Festivities will include events in downtown State College, an art exhibit, a movie night, a trivia night and a military appreciation tailgate. For more information about Military Appreciation Month and related upcoming events, please visit www.militaryappreciation.psu.edu.
The Commissioners also proclaimed November as National Family Caregivers Month. Roughly 63 million Americans provide ongoing care to loved ones with medical conditions or disabilities. Over the past 10 years, there has been a 45% increase in the number of family caregivers in the US.
This proclamation recognizes the emotional, physical, and financial challenges that caregivers face. It also demonstrates the County’s commitment to partnering with caregivers and local organizations to provide support through respite care, adult day services, and resource coordination.
Brandy Lose, Assistant Director of Centre County Office of Aging, spoke to the Commissioners, listing a few options for how community members can show up for caregivers. Lose mentioned:
• Listening to their grievances (giving room to vent, not always problem-solving)
• Being specific with support offers (i.e., let me relieve of duties from 2 pm to 6 pm this Saturday)
• Continuing to invite them to events; make them feel included
Quentin Burchfield, Director of Centre County Office of Aging, also encouraged people to sign up for the Caregiver Support Program by contacting the Office of Aging at 814-355- 6716.
Both proclamations acknowledge and celebrate to some of the incredible Centre County residents who bring compassion, dedication, and service to our communities.
In addition to the proclamations, the Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution focused on urging the Governor and the State Legislature to finalize a balanced budget without further delay.
Centre County is one of many counties in the Commonwealth to have adopted this resolution, which is a bipartisan resolution spearheaded by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP).
Since 2003, the Commonwealth has missed 15 budget deadlines, which has put an undue burden on the counties. Without state budget information, each of the counties must prepare budgets based on best guesses informed by previous years.
Commissioner Steve Dershem has noted that Centre County has assumed flat funding, meaning the County assumes that state funding will be the same as the past year. Dershem also noted that this is not an ideal practice because it can lead to a lot of budget revisions in the upcoming year.
Commissioner Chair Mark Higgins noted that Centre County Government spends about $800,000 per week, and that, thanks to careful budgeting, the County has reserves that allow the County to continue services and prevent employee cuts before the end of the year.
Commissioner Dershem added that money in reserves can earn interest, which can in turn generate more money to fund services and other financial needs. When money is pulled from the reserves, the County’s ability to earn from accruing interest decreases.
As Commissioner Dershem put it, “We are getting hit both ways”—both by pulling from reserves and from foregoing possible interest accrual.
Each of the Commissioners noted that the impacts of the budget impasse get passed on to the community. Commissioner Amber Concepcion mentioned that “the most economically disadvantaged… and those who are reliant on our services are most likely to be affected.”
Concepcion continued, mentioning that it is unreasonable not to have a state budget, and that despite the budget impasse, the County has to and will continue to provide these mandated services.
