Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Those in favor? I I Any opposed? Uh, Treasurer Seagull March report. I gave the uh papers with March with the March numbers on there. I think there were a couple payouts. The regular retirement payroll leaving me a balance that hopefully matches Rob's reports. That's really all, but I gave I give the papers out to you. I'll make a motion to accept the report. Second.

All those in favor? I uh Rob, your report.

Okay. So, the starting balance um $36,932,259. Um we have the uh participant contributions that match Jay's uh treasurer's report. We have um dividends that we received from the various funds. And then on the next page, cash dispersements, regular retirey payrolls, a few um lump sum payouts. So our ending class balance is 36,733,000. $333, I'm sorry. But then if you look at the um last page with the numbers, the market value of course is what we stay in tune with. And um it not surprisingly it's down $2.3 million from the previous month. Um which is consistent with overall market performance. I think that that's about a 4% drop and overall markets were down about 5%. So we're actually a little better off than average. Questions for the controller?

Motion to approve his report. So move second. All those in favor? I uh we see we had one retirement, nobody vested, nobody passed away. Two payouts. Were those with what were listed there on the Okay, so they're accounted for. Um I see nothing under old business, new business. Obviously, we need cash to handle retirement payroll and and with the tax situation, I assume it's time for us to start we have we have the funds to do our required contribution, right? Yeah. I don't foresee anything big. So just 250 to cover our normal retirement payroll is what I would make a motion

motion from from our funds, you know, to the required contribution then on 250,000. Is there a second? I'll second that. All those in favor? I any other new business in retirement? Anything for the good of the order in retirement? Motion to adjourn the retirement board meetings. So move. Second. All in favor? I I All right, Tim. It's all yours. And with that, we will now bring the board of commissioners meeting to order for April 28th, 2026. We will dispense with the pledge as we have just completed that for retirement. I believe everyone there is a signin sheet going around.

First item of business will be to approve the minutes of our previous meeting which was April 14, 2026. So moved. Second. Properly moved and second. All in favor? I. Next on to our favorite part of the meeting, the approval of the bills.

All righty. We had the general fund 1,666,395. Hazmat $2,764. 91149,443.15. CDBG121,665 domestic relations $1,612.73 and CYS392,19351 for a grand total of $2,234,20053. Do I have a motion to approve the bills as presented by controller Edwards? So

move second. Properly moved and second. All in favor? I give us just a moment to sign these folks.

Thank you, Controller Edwards. Thank you. Next, we will move on to personnel issues. Listed below are the following personnel changes for the commissioner's approval. A new hire. We have a source of service aid under CYS. No transfers under separations and retirements. We have part-times correction part-time corrections officer at the jail effective 22826 and part-time security guard under the commissioners effective 429 2026. No FMLA or leave of absence request. I have a motion to approve these personnel changes. So moved. Second. Properly moved and second. All in favor?

I. We will now move on to public comment. Those of you wishing to comment, you will have three minutes. We ask that you please come to the front of the room and identify yourself before beginning your comments. Okay.

So, as the three of you know, my name is Bobby Ericson. Um, I thank you for allowing public comment today. Um, I noticed in your recent statements on Michannon and your contract between Gio and ICE that you often um, lack the um, voices of those who are impacted by your decisions. So today I have arranged a phone call with a man who I'm going to call now. He was recently released from Michigan Shannon and he would like to speak to you about his experiences. Hi, how are you today? Are you there, bud? Hi, I'm okay.

Okay. Um, so I'm here. I'm at the meeting. Um, can you uh can you tell me when you were released? Can he state his name, please? I was released on the 2nd of of March, 2026. Okay. And how would you like to identify yourself? My initials JN JN for the record. JN. Okay. JN. Perfect. And how long were you detained at Miss Shannon? I was at Michon for 45 days. Okay. Um, can you tell me a little bit about your experiences there?

So, uh, basically I didn't get the kind of treatment that I would consider as human. First of all, uh I experienced a lot of medical negligence. I remember this particular morning, I woke up with a really bad headache. It was more more like a migraine. I could barely go out of my bunk, but I struggled to reach out to the guy on duty and asking if she could help me with some kind of even basic Tylenol or anything. He asked me, he told me there was no dial and all hanging around. But he asked me to put in a request on the tablet. We were about 78 of us in that dometry in my unit. And there were just 15 tablets available for all 78 of us. So even to get access to a tablet was was not easy. So I finally got access to one and I put in a request. But the nurse or the medical team finally got to me 3 days later after 3 days of putting in my request that's when they got back to me and of course by then the headache was gone. I experienced there were many a few times I had BS but because of my previous experience with rescue coming after a couple of days I didn't just bother to report those I I just went through the pain and they went on their own then I also had bad experience with the food many times the food or in fact all the time the food was cold a few times they brought food that wasn't compatible promise that they bring rice.

Thank you for your comments to eat the rice with I mean I I kept I save my rice for dinner hoping that we're going to get something like this so I don't eat then dinner comes and I don't have anything to eat. I end up trashing the rice. So I buy

Hi People in Moshan are being held under punitive, inhumane, and dangerous conditions. They reported issues ranging from the inability to get medical care to psychological and physical abuse by staff. And it operates more like a prison that it was um at this time. It's broken. It's a broken system and it's not something that can be re remediated. It really needs to be closed down at once. Um there's a story of a person that was held at Mohannon. He was an African immigrant and he was transferred to Mohannon. His wrists were handcuffed and shackled to his sides and he was driven hours away from his home on the bus with others who were resigned to the same fate at the immigration detention. He arrived hungry, unsure of what was going to happen next to him. He was uh his son was two years old when he was separated from him. 18 months later he was finally released and his son was almost four years old by that time. And I just want to restate that this is a civil facility. It's not a criminal facility. I'm 70% of the people have no criminal record at all and some have been in the country for 20 years. um this is all that they know and most of them are asylum seekers that are trying to work their way through a system that is cumbersome and costly. Uh do you know how much the federal government is paying Gio? Roughly $3.4 million or more per month. And you're paid what? $200,000 annually. Did you know, and I'm sure you do, that Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New

Mexico, Washington, and Oregon have all passed legislation to cut ties with ICE and the private prison operators. California, Rhode Island, Delaware, and New York have pending legislation to ban ICE detention centers. So, you gentlemen are among an elite group that have decided it's okay to benefit financially from people's suffering. And that's quite a legacy that you're leaving. Not just to this county, not just to this town, but to your children and your children's children. Your names will forever be associated with this detention camp. Commissioner Tim Winters, Commissioner John Soil, and Commissioner Dave Glass. I would urge you to not renew your contract.

Thank you for your comment. Hi, my name is Charlotte Moral. My husband, I'll call him K to protect his privacy. He is currently being held at Mana Valley Processing Center. He has been there over 14 months with no answers. Um, I tried contacting you guys multiple occasions. I was unable to leave any voicemails. So, today I drove three hours to speak with all of you. Um, we have purchased a home together. We had a child and we got married. We've been paying taxes every year and until our husband was torn away from us unfairly last year in February 24th of 2025, which has left me and my six-year-old special needs son devastated and traumatized. I would like to personally tell you guys that the people at Machan Detention Center are facing horrible conditions that no one should have to go through. There's inaccessible medical care, lack of proper nutrition, and solitary confinement. Also, um he doesn't receive any medication for his pre-existing medical conditions. and he sustains himself on his commissary food and that I work hard to put money on every week just so he can survive. The scariest thing is that we have no status on his case. There are no more answers. There are no more court dates and we are uncertain on how long he will be living in the conditions. Um he does have a final order of removal that was issued by the immigration judge after his nine years of pending asylum case was denied and Now, we don't know and he's missing all the important milestones of our child's life. I don't know why he's there. We went from complying with his immigration check-ins every two years

and he was pulled out by local law enforcement ending up in immigration custody. Um, please put yourself in my shoes. How would you feel if your loved ones face these conditions? So again, I'm asking that Michannon Valley Processing Center should be shut down and the innocent detainees should be back to their families in the communities and for our family to receive answers so we can be reunited once and for all. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your comment.

Hi um Chelsea Sweet. Um my family has lived in Clearfield County since prior to its inception. I'm extremely proud to call this my home. So is she apparently. But I am ashamed that the reason that the rest of the country is going to learn about Clear County, not because of our onins inspiring natural beauty, but because of the allegations of human rights violations happening in our own backyard. The GIA group has had issues in many of their facilities regarding inadequate food being served to detainees, with Machinan Valley Processing Center being no exception. Reports of worms, mold, and unidentified substances found in the food should make even the most cold-hearted recoil. Detainees also report being denied visitations with family and legal represent and legal representation without just cause, sexual abuse, refusal of medical treatment, verbal and physical abuse by the guards. I personally would like to know why the people detained at Moshan Valley Processing Center are put into solitary confinement for alarming lengths of time at the highest rate in the nation. We are treating people, many who came to the United States legally and have never committed a crime, worse than the way we treat those held in our state prisons. People deserve dignity even during incarceration and detainment. They have the right to fair treatment. Um, I'm going to skip part of this. I'm going to I don't how much time I have. Um, I do not want to be remembered as the town's people who turned their head and looked the other way while people were living in hell just a few miles away out of our public sight. Many of us in the community were oblivious when the prison in Philipsburg became an immigrant detention center, but we can claim ignorance no longer. We must end contract with the Geog Group for the moral integrity and legacy of our community.

Thank you for your comments, commissioners. Thank you for your time. My name is Daisy Clark and I am a resident of Clearfield County. I appreciate the the eye contact I'm I'm getting from you, Commissioner. I was seeing you making eye contact with everybody and I really appreciate that. Today I want to talk about suicide. It doesn't occur in mentally healthy people and hope is not abundant in detention centers as one can imagine due to lack of due process, lack of speaking English. Um we have some staff that only speaks English. We have poor conditions and treatment of the detainees due to systematic racism, staff ideals, lack of staffing, inadequate medical care and response to the health emergencies. Furthermore, certain psychiatric and sedative medications when stopped suddenly can trigger brain injury and carry a risk of suicidal ideiation or attempts. uh no oversight being utilized as in Congress being turned away when present for a visit such as when Representative Summer Lee was here in August of 2025. Um we also have a chaplain whose primary purpose to offer hope and a spiritual path has had multiple accusations of sexual assault and he is still working at the facility. Uh, according to EMS data, since opening, there have been eight confirmed suicide attempts at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center. And as a mother who lost a son to suicide, I can attest to the lasting

devastation that it causes. On April 22nd, it was reported on the Dubo PA live wire Facebook page that a detainee at Manhattan Valley attempted to cause the death of themsself by hanging. And this occurred after a hunger strike had started. Those who the staff determined had started the hunger strike were placed in solitary confinement. instead of being asked why they start the hunger strike and working out a solution. I'm just I'm disgusted that this is happening in the c county that I was raised in and I I believe that we're better than this. I believe that we are better than this and warehouse facilities are are built for storing products, not people. Thank you for your time. I guess I'll I'm William. I'm a resident of Filmsburg, but I'm right along the border of Clearfield. I live three houses down, so I'm close. But first, I want to ask the commissioners and the room a question. I don't want you to like separation of church and state. I don't need you the answer. I want to ask how many of you are Christian? How many of you believe? I'm going to read a passage from the book Matthew 25 40-45, the New International Version Translation. The king will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters, you did for me." Then he will say to those in his left, "Depart from me, you who are accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the

devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger and you did not invite me in. I needed clothes and you did not clothe me. I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me." They will answer, "Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sickening in prison and did not help you?" He will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of these least, you did not do for me." The passage is not complicated. I don't think it mits messages. Other people might hear show you what's happening at the facility is wrong. But I have one final comment. A king may move a man. A father may claim a son. But remember, even when those who move you, be they kings or men of power. Your soul is in your keeping and your keeping alone. When you stand before God, you cannot say, "But I was told by others to do this," or that virtue was not convenient at the time. This will not suffice. Thank you. Thank you for your comment.

Hi, I'm Kelly Kennedy and I'm Clearfield grad of Clearfield County and I'd like you all to be aware my concerns in regards to the contract and the private prison GEO has with us. I believe it's in the best interest of Clearfield County to immediately end Clarfield County's involvement. We want we want to be proud of our county. We want we want to we want people to come here and see the beautiful nature around us, not to be known for this. Not only is it near constant awful press coming out of this facility, I'm worried about their treatment in there. Nobody being able to gain to go in see them, check on it. Just the food it is the safety they under state regulations like everyone else to have the food inspected in the kitchen. Anybody know an answer? Because I'd like to know if they get inspected, you know, on a regular basis like everybody else does if you own something and you're putting food out. Um, does this constantly babysitting this facility take away from the jobs of representatives? What you could be doing instead of listening to us or hearing what's going on there. You have jobs, very important jobs to do. But we need, we don't want no part of this. Our county doesn't want no part of this. And when we looked at we stood up before we started and did pledge allegiance to the flag. When we said liberty and justice for all, did you guys all mean that? Because I

do. It means a lot to me. When I say the pledge of allegiance, I mean what I say and liberty and justice for all is the way it should be. And this is not this is something our county should not be involved in. Thank you.

My name is Luther Jet and I'm a member of the Philisburg Bur Council. Now, the council's always telling me I'm not representing the Bur Council, but we're seeing a lot of stuff over there. And if any if even a little bit of this is true, I think we have a big problem. And uh, of course, I'm an old media person, you know, I read the progress and the progress started out they I don't think they were reporting on this at all, but lately they seem though caught up to the reporting. And the reporting I have to say is not too good. We uh now I shouldn't say we but some of the members of the burough council story will welcome anybody who wants to come over there. We've had these demonstrations and um I think we should have a few more maybe. Uh I want to commend Commissioner Glass for your courageous and principled stand and I think it's it's a very good stand. Uh, I know Mr. Soil told me I I I really don't understand. I don't I don't I'm not asking for an explanation now because if it's explained to me 25 times, I won't understand how the county commissioners are mixed up in this. But at any rate, you seem to have this power of veto, but I think Mr. Soil said even if even if you should should vote against the extension of the contract, it would still happen. Is that the idea? I think so. But any rate, I don't think you should vote in favor of it. And I will welcome anybody to Philipsburg who wants to come over and talk about it. 301 Phillips.

Hello, my name is Maddie Wrath and I am a Elk County resident. Uh, and I'd like to I'd like you all to be aware of my concerns in regards to the contract with the private prison GO and the group ICE. I believe it is in the best interest of Clearfield County to immediately end Clearfield County's involvement with this extremely problematic facility. It is not only a facility that brings shame and inhuman acts to this county, but it also affects every other county in our state. Not only is this near constant awful press coming out of this prison, sorry, I'm trying to keep my feelings under control. Not only is this near constant awful press coming out of this prison detrimental to local businesses and our reputation, it impacts tourism long term. We do not want to be known as a town that allows this. Local EMS and police are already strained due to budget cuts. And can you assure residents that all the resources this facility requires is not impacting our care? I demand my local representatives do real work on this. Can you provide good jobs? These are not good jobs. What could this facility bring to actually serve our community? Have any of you had these conversations? Does constantly babysitting this facility take away from your jobs as our representatives to help serve your community?

Thank you. Thank you.

Yeah. Good morning. Uh, my name is Sher Sheets and I am a hospice chaplain here in Clearfield. I do not represent the company that I work for. Uh, I feel like that's probably something that should go on record. Um, I'm going to speak from my heart and then I'm going to finish with reading somebody else's prepared statements that are probably more eloquent. In my work as a hospice chaplain, I have the great opportunity of entering into our nursing facilities and walking the halls where vulnerable folks in our community are housed. Some of you might be familiar with people who are in these nursing facilities who used to live at home with their families. This is one of the ways that our society structures the needs of the vulnerable and the prisoner is also a vulnerable member of our community. I ask you to imagine if there were reports of abuse, neglect. If you went to visit a loved one in a nursing facility and they told you that they were being abused, that they told you that there were rot in their food, that there was worms in their food, would you ask the facility management if that was true or not and then accept those statements separate from what your loved one told you? or would you investigate further? Would you share a meal with your family member? Is that something you can do? Can you go to Gio and share a meal with these prisoners? Can you physically go in and walk around and experience a day in a life? I I don't know what you're doing, guys.

Like, what are you doing? What is your legacy here? What is our legacy that you're allowing to be part of this community's legacy? The vulnerable among us deserve dignity. They deserve protection. They deserve care. And you have a amazing opportunity to affect change, to affect care, to impact the lives of vulnerable human beings. And I ask you to do everything in your power to ensure that the people under your care are being treated with dignity and respect. Do not turn a blind eye to abuse. You have the opportunity to do something here and I ask you to do it. I strongly encourage you to go beyond relying solely on information provided by facility staff to gain a complete and accurate understanding of conditions. It's essential to speak directly with detainees themselves as well as with their families.

Thank you for your comments. You're welcome, Mr. Winters. Sure. Hello again, commissioners. Kaylee McGlaughlin. I am the uh co-founder of Indivisible Outcry and Clarion and I also work with the shutdown detention campaign. And I'm here because I am honestly I'm offended by the statement that you were released after the reports of the hunger strike last week. It is. If that is not victim blaming, that is the cousin of victim blaming.

And as a per a woman, once upon a time, I was a pretty good-looking young woman 20 years ago. I know what that's like quite a bit. You are getting these reports of poor conditions for years now from different people, different units, different pods. Like where is the logic in taking and completely saying that you don't believe those that they are exaggerated? I only exaggerate for comic for comic relief. And this is nothing there's nothing funny about this. Nothing I say is an exaggeration. I will promise you that. I choose to believe the people that are telling me these statements. There are so many of them. You are hearing them all the time. And I just can't believe. I think that you are normalizing something that shouldn't be normalized. There are so many people that I hear all the time thinking that people deserve that kind of treatment. Nobody deserves that kind of treatment. I don't care what how you treat people says more about you than it does about them. the worst people don't deserve. Spoiled food, sleeping in the cold without pillows, and all of these things that we have proven to you over and over again that they are lying to you about. And I think it's time you maybe start trusting us and trusting the people that live there a little more than you trust a 7-day prior notification guided tour. the word of people who definitely want to keep their jobs like the warden of course I'm that that's probably about all I have but I'm telling you what I'm steaming what I also have to deliver you here are three letters from local residents that could not be here today I would like to deliver those to

Do we have any further public comment? There are some from other people. Yes, public comments. Okay. I thought there were Okay, thank you. We next move on to our agenda items. Gentlemen, any old business to come before the board today? No. Seeing none, we will move on to the first of several proclamations. I believe we have Britney Blackburn here with us to tell us a little bit about National Foster Care Month, which will be May of 2026. Britney, the floor is yours.

Thank you. Um, so thank you for this opportunity to speak today. Um, my name is Britney and I am the foster care program manager at Children's Aid Society and I do have a couple members of my team here. Taylor made it. Um, I have Kim Olsen, Amanda Clark, and Taylor Boss is also here. Um, we all work alongside children and families involved in foster care here in Click County through our agency. We are one of many other agencies who provide these services to the youth in the area. Um, so I'm here to respectfully request your support and proclaiming May as National Foster Care Month in Clearfield County. I could spout off the stats like I typically do. Those really haven't changed much unfortunately over the years. Um, but there are still approximately 400,000 youth in foster care in the state of Pennsylvania and hundreds of those youth are being served here in Clareville County. Foster care is often misunderstood as something that's handled by agencies or by a system when in reality it takes a community and it takes a village. That belief is the heart of our be the village campaign and message that we are sharing throughout the community because no child thrives in isolation and no foster family should walk this journey alone. Children and youth enter foster care through um circumstances typically that are beyond their control. And what makes a difference for them is having um not just a positive placement but connection and knowing that their community cares, supports, and shows up for them in meaningful ways. Through Be the Village, we recognize foster parents and kinship caregivers, but we also need to recognize those in the community who do support the foster care system. Um that can be teachers, neighbors, coaches, faith leaders, other businesses, case workers, and volunteers who support

um the foster families with encouragement and stability. When a community embraces a shared responsibility, children are better supported, families are stronger, and outcomes improve. Proclaiming May's National Foster Care Month would send a clear message that Claro County understands this responsibility and values the role every resident can play in supporting children and families. It raises awareness, invites involvement, and reinforces that foster care is not someone else's issue. It is a community effort. On behalf of the children and families we serve, I respectfully ask to proclaim May as National Foster Care Month and to stand with us in encouraging our community to be the village that every child deserves. Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your continued support for the children and families in this community.

Thank you, Britney, and thank you to Children's Aid Society for all that you do. I will now read into the record the proclamation of May 2026 as National Foster Care Month. Whereas the family serving as the primary source of love, identity, self-esteem, and support is the very foundation of our communities and our state. And whereas nationally there are more than 400,000 children in youth and foster care, 14,000 in Pennsylvania. And whereas all young people in foster care need meaningful connection to someone who can support a lasting presence in their lives. And whereas foster, kinship, and adoptive families who open their hearts and homes to children whose families are in crisis play a vital role in helping children and families heal and reconnect, thereby launching young people into successful adulthood. Whereas there are numerous individuals, public and private individuals, who work to increase public awareness of the needs of children in and leaving foster care, as well as the enduring and valuable contribution of foster parents and the foster care system. It is only as good as those who choose to be part of it. Now therefore, the commissioners of Clearfield County do hereby proclaim May as National Foster Care Month in Clearfield County and urge all citizens to come forward and do something positive that will change a lifetime for a young person in foster care. Gentlemen, do I have a motion to accept this proclamation?

So moved. I'll second. Properly moved and second. All in favor? I. Thank you. If we have some representatives, Britney, representatives from Children's Aid Society would like to get a photo. We will have signed proclamations here for you. Britney, do you Britney? Do you Hello.

One, two, three, guys. And don't move after.

Yes. Thank you. Thank you so much for everything that Children's Aid Society does. First, Taylor Ross. T A Y L O R. Yes. Last name. R O SS. And what's your position at work? Permanency worker. What is it? Permanency worker. Oh, perman. Kim Olsen. Can you spell her first name? Kim. Oh, C. K I M. Os. Same title. Permanency worker. Amanda Clark.

Administrative assistant. Britney Blackburn. B R I T A N Y. And what's your title? Uh foster care program. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you guys.

And next on the agenda, we are going to proclaim May as mental health and stigma awareness month. And I believe we have Mary Brown with us today. Mary Brown's not here. Myself here. Okay. Come up front, please. If you want to.

Good morning. My name is Holly Nol. I serve as the secretary for Kick the Stigma. This is Bork Gunning. She is our board president for Kick the Stigma. Um we're a nonprofit organization dedicated to help mental health awareness in our community and keep the wellness. In addition to our work with kick the stigma stigma, we've been actively involved in the community development development, oh my goodness, youth and outreach and wellness initiatives throughout our region, including right here in Clearfield County. The community has always been an important part of our personal and professional lives. Kick the Stigma is committed to breaking the silence surrounding mental health. We work to create a safe space, provide accessible wellness resources, and connect individuals and families with supports they need. Each year we are host a large community wellness event at the boys Memorial Park. This year it'll be on May 30th. Um we feature kickball, pickle ball tournaments, mental health speakers, live music and food trucks, youth art art contest and over 30 mental health providers and wellness resources.

We want to invite each of you guys to be able to be there. And if the proclamation is granted, we would love somebody to read that proclamation at the event. Thank you. This event continues to grow thanks to the strong participation in both Clearfield and County of Jefferson counties including the drug and alcohol commission, the community connections, pen highlands, the YNCA and so many other local communities um that have really brought themselves together to help with this space that we provide. We hope to expand our presence in Clearfield County through satellite events, uh, school presentation, offering education and trainings to local business and organizations, as well as community wellness and fairs. We seek opportunity to replicate successful models such as the WPAL free youth gym access to promote fitness, discipline, and safe alternatives to risky behaviors. We are eager to collaborate with schools, law enforcement, community organization and businesses and community leaderships to strengthen mental health support for residents of all ages.

Right now we are in the new boys area school district. We hope to grow that into the building as well. We welcome your help connecting with school boards, youth programs, and local businesses to provide support in their acknowledging mental health. Support in sharing information through our community uh communication channels would help us reach families, individuals, and businesses who may benefit from our resources.

So for this facility support, uh we want to gain access to like parks, gyms, public spaces, stuff like that. so we can partner with them and allow us to bring more programming directly to the Clearville counties. Um we are collaborating with grants uh and we're interested in partnering with different funding opportunities that are related to mental health youth safety and community wellness eventually once our organization grows. Um as of last year we are now a nonprofit. We would love to offer grants and scholarships for for those things but we need opportunities to be able to do that. Uh so our request is for a county recognized day of bonus for kick the stigma. We would like to respectfully request your consideration in establishing a Clearfield County Day of Bonus as well. This would serve as a meaningful reminder for residents to pause, check in with themselves, and prioritize their mental and emotional well-being in all areas. It would also reinforce the county's commitment to supporting health, resilience, and um in our community. So if you would to recognize May as mental health awareness month, we also ask for your support in recognizing May as a stigma awareness month. Our message is very clear to ensure that no one in our communities ever feels that they have to struggle alone. With your partnership, we can expand our reach to keep the stigma through Clearfield County and building lasting wellness opportunities for youth, families, and first responders. We're not asking for much simply the opportunity to collaborate and your support in making mental health a visible shared priority across the community. We want to thank you for your time and your consideration

and thank you for the explanation of your organization and some background on what you're doing. It is now my pleasure to read into the record the proclamation. May is mental health and stigma awareness month in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. Whereas mental health is an essential part of overall well-being impacting individuals, families, communities across Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. And whereas one in five American adults experiences a mental health condition each year and one in six youth ages 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder. And everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. And whereas early intervation intervention, open conversation and access to quality care and resources are critical to managing mental health conditions and improving the quality of life. And whereas the month of May is recognized nationally as mental health awareness month, providing an opportunity to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote available mental health supports and resources within our community. And whereas the Kickness Stigma Day of Wellness scheduled for May 30, 2026 at Dubo City Park provides an opportunity for individuals and families to engage in wellness activities, education, and community connection while reinforcing the importance of mental health awareness and stigma reduction for people of all ages. Now therefore, we the Clearfield County Commissioners do hereby proclaim May 2026 as mental health and stigma awareness month in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. Together, we can continue building a community where individuals feel empowered to prioritize their mental wellness and access to support without fear or judgment. In witness whereof, we have here unto set hands and cause the seal of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania to be affixed this 28th day of April, 2026. Gentlemen, do I have a motion?

So moved. Second. Properly moved and second. All in favor? Thank you. We will have your signed proclamation here if you would like photos. Yes. photo with your phone. Yes.

Thank you. Don't move. I have to get her name. You're welcome. Okay. You first. Holly. H O L Y. Last name is No. K N O L. And what's your title? I'm the board secretary. Rob. Rob. Brooke. We are

tell the TV guys to stick around. I'm going to have a statement for them. N I N G. Okay. And your title? Thank you. And thank you ladies very much. Um I will thank you very I'm planning to be there on the 30th. It's my anniversary so I don't think I'll probably ann I'll swing on you guys. I mean I don't know what time but we'll definitely a kickball tournament with your wife. That'd be pretty good. On opposite team, you know, we talked about this the other day and she made it clear she wants to not be home. Well, you won't be in the park. You won't be home.

Yes, she'll be at an event. So, that would be okay. We're going to move on to item three now. And this is a yearly proclamation that we do here. proclamation of May as motorcycle safety awareness month. I do not believe we have a representative here. Sometimes we will have a representative from a didn't see anybody

but I will read the proclamation of motorcycle safety awareness month into the record. Whereas the safety of all Pennsylvania motorists is an issue of the highest consequence and all highway users should unite in the safe sharing of roadways throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And whereas motorcycle riding is a popular form of recreation and transportation for thousands of people across the Commonwealth and our great nation, the Commonwealth's 838,000 licensed motorcyclist are required to keep their vehicles inspected and obey current laws relative to operator safety equipment. And whereas in efforts to reduce the number of motorcycle crashes and fatalities, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation encourages all motorcyclists to take advantage of the free training courses throughout Pennsylvania's motorcycles crash statistic. where it is especially important that the citizens of our Commonwealth be aware of motorcycles on the streets and highways and recognize the importance of staying alert, practicing safe driving techniques, and promoting motorcycle safety. And whereas during the month of May, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Alliance of Bikers aimed towards education, and the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Dealers Association will continue their advocacy of motorcycle safety. Gentlemen, do I have a motion to accept this proclamation of May as motorcycle safety awareness month?

So move. Second. Properly moved and second. All in favor? I more for you. Moving on to agenda item number four. Consider a memorandum of understanding transportation procedures agreement with the Philipsburg Oola school district. We'll turn this over to solicitor Bozich.

Thank you. Every few years we update these with the various school districts um throughout the county. Um the memorandum of understanding in the transportation plan essentially um on a case- by case basis when there are children in foster care who for various reasons may need to stay in their home school district. Um this sets forth how um the school as well as CYS is going to work together in order to accomplish that. Um so this one as stated is with um Philipsburg Oola. It's a three-year agreement um very similar to what we've had with them in the past. Um and there have been no issues with those plans. Um so that has been approved as to its form this morning. I'll move to approve it. Second properly move and second. All in favor? I.

Next moving on to item five. Consider the appointment of Lesha Carr to the CEDS committee. I think it's NAR Nar. Lisha Nar. I apologize for the misprononunciation. The silent K got me there. And the uh standard appointment to the CEDS committee. Do I have a motion? So move. I'll second. Properly moved and second. And thank you. All in favor? I.

Now item six. consider whether Clearfield County should participate in the proposed national opioid litigation settlement with six remnant defendants. I'm going to turn this one, I believe, over to John who has some more background in this.

Thank you, Tim. Um, yes, there has been a proposed uh national settlement with six of the few remaining defendants in the opioid litigation that's been going on nationally for the past several years. Um the proposed settlement uh that was I believe was uh worked out by the various states attorney generals uh in the country although I have been advised by Domo and Domo our attorneys they were really not involved um in the process uh the proposal is that uh the six companies will make a combined total uh payment of 97,625,000 to uh to uh abate the opioid epidemic. There would be a one-time payment to all participating uh entities, municipalities if it's approved. Interestingly enough, uh I was given the opportunity to review the list of particip proposed participating uh municipalities. Clearfield County and the Clearfield County District Attorney's Office were included. However, uh excluded from the same are the various states attorney general's offices and also the various states even though it it's believed at least by our attorneys that that's who arranged uh for the proposal. Uh and again there will be a formulaic uh methodology to decide how much how much Clearfield County share would be of that recommendation from Demo and Domo is to participate. the longer litigation goes on, uh, the smaller the, you know, pot is that that we're able to, um, uh, receive monies from. My advice is also that we do. So,

sorry, John. No, that's okay. Lisa, how many? Go ahead. So, the 97 million is that national is that a national figure? That's a national figure. It sounds like a lot. It's not going to be a lot. Very much. So, and it'll shrink if we litigate. What's the over under $12? Well, over but not but not significantly. Heather, did you get I know you were going to take a look at Yeah, I took a look. It's very general right now. Um, as you stated, it just provided the figure. Um, we've had a few of these that have come before us and then as stated, just the percentages obviously get knocked way down. Um, but do our outside counsel on this matter, they've recommended we take it um just to again not it sounds better. Absolutely is. Yeah. and and the uses would be the same as with the other and we've certainly got no shortage of uses

and there is a May 4th deadline that we that he needs to notify them in order to participate. Also, I'd ask that I be authorized to execute the electronic u signature and related you're being authorized to do something electronic. Well, Lisa is my right hand. In the in the interest in the most sense. In the interest of moving this along, I will make the motion that Clearfield County participate in the proposed national opioid litigation settlement and Commissioner Soil has our delegated authority to sign. Thank you. Properly moved and second. All in favor? I I

We can debate electronic prowess later. Well, like I said, Lisa is standing right there in the session. We will now move on to item seven on the agenda, purchase of service agreement, and this is with Community Haven Group Home Incorporated and a subset of Katherine Cerick, PhD. They're two separate They're two separate two separate agreements.

The first one with Community Haven Group Home. Um, this is a a newer agreement. Um, this is a facility that's a 24-hour residential care facility specifically for ages 12 through 18 with behavioral um different levels of behavioral needs. Um, so we had an it's they're based out of Philadelphia. Um, CYS um obviously we have to have an agreement in place once there's a considered placement. So it is our standard form agreement but it is with a um newer provider. Um so that agreement has been approved as to form. And then the second agreement is with um Katherine Serbach. Um she completes psychosexual evaluations. Um she does them both as offenders and perpetrators as well as on victims and the trauma side when needed. Um so we have um just recently within the last year or two contracted with her.

Read your writing um for when services are needed. Um but again that's our standard professional services agreement as well um with CYS and juvenile probation. So should I spell that in? Is it it's s e c k. Do should we treat these as two separate? due to second. Okay. First, um approve purchase service agreement for Community Haven Homes Incorporated. So moved. Second. Properly moved and second. All in favor? I I Next, enter into a service agreement with Katherine Serbach, PhD, for counseling services related to CYS. So move. I'll second. Properly moved and second. All in favor?

I. Do we have anything from the solicitor in addition to nothing new to come before I I have um Mr. Glass

just a a very brief election update that I would appreciate the press to mention that we have um processed all of the mail and ballots that were received up until a couple days ago. So people should be getting those in the mail. We encourage those to be returned as soon as possible. Um, you know, we we've been monitoring the fact that the postal service has said that they're a little slower than in the past and turning these around. So, um, don't wait till the last minute to get it in. Remember, it has to be in our hands by 8:00 on election day. Anything past that and it won't count. So, um, other than that, elections are moving, uh, very smoothly. um there. In fact, at just today, yesterday and today, we're um testing and uh validating our machines with the with the test ballots. So, we anticipate no problems.

On an added election note, May 4th is the last day to register to participate in the municipal primary election. May 12th is the last day for a mail-in ballot. Don't wait until May 12th. May 12th is the last day to request a mail-in ballot. Please don't wait till that period in time for your own sake. It's not that we we lack capacity. We're worried about the the mail turnaround times. Postal service cannot guarantee your ability to participate in the election. Gentlemen, anything else to come before the board this morning? Are we still in session?

Yes. Luther Jet. Again, I just want to thank all three commissioners for your attention of this poor man I picked up on the way to Aluna who was hitchhiking from he had been released from jail over here. Oh, that was you. I Yes, that is that is a you you've taken the ball in front of it. I've been reading about that in the progress too. So, yes, we are we are working on Yeah, that's that's a work in progress. We're working on a resolution to that issue. Yeah, we're meeting later this month to discuss that. Gentlemen, do I have a motion to adjurnn? So move. Second. Properly moved and second. All in favor? Immediate questions here. I do. Um,

first of all, on the uh the the detention man detention facility. Do any of you have any uh comment or reaction to the statements here today? I think we do. Well, I I do. I do. And one of the things that they they mentioned was the amount of time that this has taken out of our day and the the spreading of misinformation has led to that.

Um there was no hunger strike at the facility. We are in constant contact with facility management. Less than 10% of people missed one meal. And it the the feeding frenzy of people with their own agendas, with their problems with immigration policy, it it does take away from our day-to-day business because we have to address concerns that are often unfounded and illegitimate and by people who have never set foot in the facility. We have we have a very open relationship. any one of us can contact any one of management there. That That's my statement.

You have anything to add? I guess I'll just say um I mean I'm I'm on record. I'm not going to vote for renewal of the contract. Um I've stated reasons before, but another one is I you know to Tim's point to it. I mean we we agree and disagree on certain aspects, but we this is not the position the county should be in. We do not have the time. We do not have the bandwidth to properly be the we don't have we can't do true oversight. We know this. So um you know this is not what I think

but I I think people were also under the misconception that we could snap our fingers and close this facility. Well, and I I was going to get to that, but um yeah, I mean, first of all, when we when we were asked to do this by the Biden administration, I might add, it was never any thought that it would become what it's, you know, that it would become this much of a controversy, for lack of a better term. Um this much work, this much, you know, concern about what what's happening there. And um and then I do want to address the idea that and I know a lot of people have said this that if we terminate our contract that the facility will just close. I have yet to see any evidence that that's true. I mean this administration, wherever you feel about it, I see no indication that the Trump administration would say, "Oh, Clearfield County is not understanding where I guess we'll just take our ball and go home." They're opening places left and right. I don't understand why they would do that. Now, that's not a reason that we should be involved. I'm not saying that. And I'm very upset about a lot of immigration policy, but I I want to, you know, deal in reality and I just don't think we have the the power to close it. I just don't.

Yeah. I guess maybe I do want to add one thing if I could. You know, there there does seem to be some folks concerned that we're not concerned about events at uh GO. I I do want to mention that if we receive we are as was mentioned by commissioner winters we regularly are in contact with administration and go does keep us advis when when something happens there that they feel we should know about they do let us know and we do have discussion with them and the other thing is too we do

if if we receive information that causes any concern we do contact go and and and do uh speak to do speak to administr ation there to to I believe our satisfaction and and so I I do want to emphasize that that um we we do keep an eye we do keep an eye on on what's going on there and and I think uh and when we have concerns we we uh we're very quick to voice them and and they're very quick to respond. So I think I think there is a a uh a good back and forth relationship right now. Oh, and and outside that I believe all of us know people that are employed there on various sides of the political spectrum. If there were people being tortured, abused, we would know because we we are in communication with people who work there on a daily basis. So many of these stories grow legs of their own and be become much larger than they started out and that does take our time to address these things. So, anything else on that gentleman?

You got to have other questions. Jeeoff, on the same do any of you have any concern about the care people who are being detained there are getting? I believe most of the population there gets probably better care than they got on the outside as far as there is medical, there is dental, there is psych on site. We have seen these. We've talked to the people that work there. We know the people that work in the medical department. I there's a lot of things being overblown here.

It's really hard in our situation. You've got 1,400 detainees coming in and out very quickly. So over 10,000 in a year. Um for us, I mean, we we hear the allegations and and we I take them very seriously. I mean, every time I hear something like this, I'm very concerned, but for us to do a full investigation on every one of these, we we don't have time. We don't have we just we we at some point we have to trust the people that we're in business with. Now I don't want to be in this business anymore. I've said that. But while we are, you know, we can walk we have walked around and I could walk around there tomorrow, but I'm not going to be there every day. And that's that's really what's required for the level of oversight that I think some folks think is and and frankly this is a federal issue. And I I think that we need to really push the fact that this is a federal facility with federal oversight and federal inspectors in there by all accounts pretty regularly. And you know, if we don't trust what they're saying, okay. Um but that's a big issue, right? If everybody's lying, then that's that's bad.

Yeah. And that's why I with so many outside agencies with between DHS, Federal Bureau of Prisons, there is a lot of oversight there. There is a lot beyond us. And yeah, and I I can't picture everybody lying in this situation. That is their job. They they exist. A lot of these positions exist specifically for this purpose. And I mean, I get it. And and look, we we we have a county prison and and not everything is peaches and cream all the time there, too. And we investigate a lot of people who with different complaints, some founded, some not with different things. And it's always going to be hard. And it's just another reason I really don't want to be in the middle of this anymore.

I said they bottom line is we do not set federal immigration policy. Well, that's for sure. Can I ask a question? I saw in the progress that the county gets $200,000 a year for for what purpose is that? Is it true for one thing? It's true. It's true. And it's just an administration fee for all basically for all this plus plus acting as a pass through. I mean basically the money comes from ICE to us to GEO and we are simply a pass through minus that 200,000. So basically federal money. Correct. Correct. Methodology that has to be followed by law to allow.

By the way, the by the way the law was set up under the Biden administration and I between right to know request and added time, but people fixate on that $200,000 number. The the economic impact of that facility to the area is right in the neighborhood of $40 million with 408 full-time GEO employees, another 24 ICE employees, puts payroll a little over 37 million and that stays here in the local area and add on to that then their transportation uh part of the geo group is based out of here. So the it's hard to pin a number on the total economic impact of the facility, but it is in excess of $40 million to the central Pennsylvania area.

But that that would be the same all over the country. Then it's like a bureau of prisons that give you the check for $200,000 somewhere comes from the federal government, right? Yeah. I don't think I don't think it's bureau of prison. No, it's not Bureau of Prisons. This is under DHS. Yeah, I think it's Homeland Security. Any other Any other media questions? Yeah, Jeeoff, to answer your question, I I think I am satisfied that that they're receiving proper care. Uh, put it simply at this point from what I know and and from what I've observed. There's been some reports like of overcrowding at the facility. Do you believe there's any over? Absolutely not. Well, it's designed for 1,800 and it has 1,400. I mean, there were when we were there. It's

I think the highest I've seen is what 1660 is the number I've seen. I'm not saying it's not crowded. It's crowded, but to say it's overcrowded would mean it's it's beyond its and it's it's a big facility. That's why they that's why they have two soccer fields. They're still not allowing a congress person to look at the facility. No idea. Not our not our department. Yeah, that's that's not our actually I guess they haven't, right? Yeah, various congress people and state representatives have been to the facility

and actually I think that's a good point and I think it was Dave made this earlier. You know I think folks folks are dealing with local government over federal issue. I do think I do think, you know, I I I really do think that um perhaps the direction should shift a bit because it is it is under federal control, subject to federal regulation, federal rules. Um uh and and I think dealing with you're kind of missing the mark dealing with Clearfield County. It really should be the dealing should be with the federal government.

I mean, we have a contract, so I understand why folks come here. We're we're the local representatives. I get it. But I do feel that these same arguments should be made to the to the our federal representatives. That was going to be my question andor point. So you take away the contract locally. There is no local oversight. There would be that's actually the point I was trying to make when you wish for I I have tried to make this point. While we don't have authority, we are at least involved in the process, right? Should we not have that contractual arrangement,

we wouldn't get a call when something happened there? We wouldn't be able to make a call and say, "Hey, we heard this. What's going on?" We would be out. No different than the rest of us. Is it the Is it the ideal thing to have? Absolutely not. Does federal immigration policy need reformed? I'm on my soap box now. Yes, it does. This is this is what we have.

We maintain at least a small seat at the table where we can have this public forum. If we did not, you wouldn't have this public forum. Nobody would know what's going on there. We do our part, all three of us, regardless of political party, we take this seriously. We do our diligence. We've been there multiple times. Direct your direct your eye. If you don't like the policy, we're not the policy people. We're the guys on the ground. Have you had conversations with inmates? Have you have you personally talked to people? Yes, I have. He has. I have.

What was that like? Uh I I I the the gentleman uh what it was was some of the folks from Indivisible Mayday facilitated a conversation with the over the phone and uh it was uh it was a litany of complaints um that and I don't mean by that to imply he wasn't sincere but the gentleman gave me a list of complaints. I did then contact administration and discuss them with them. Um I found that most their response was the exact opposite of what the gentleman was complaining about which happens frequently and then we have to somehow sort that out uh when we when we get involved. Uh there were a couple things I made some suggestions to and in other words as to I thought that maybe a couple of things he was asking for were not unreasonable and I believe they accommodated one of them if I remember correctly.

Was that the schedule on the website thing? Yeah, that was and I believe another one of the issues was the pillow issue. Yeah, that's a non-issue. Nobody gets pillows in a detention or prison type setting. They're built into the mattress. So when you hear, oh, they don't get pillow, nobody does. County, nobody pillows, that's a non-issue. But it's something that it gins people up. But that is something you mentioned and they gave a very thorough explanation of how that works. We have our new med priority media with us today being the strong silent guy there. Do you have anything? I think everything I wanted to ask has been answered already.

Other media questions? No for you after. Okay. One more quick thing like under this contract you the comm the county has no oversight authority on but we we have no authority but we are included and they and we have an open line of communication. I can't emphasize

it's more of a communication thing. There's nothing you could do. administration in Edio to my experience at least and I think I don't want to speak for the guys but I think they share my in large part at least share my feeling has been uh pretty open and cooperative at least in my in my opinion uh we you know I know they don't always often times their explanation or their version of what's going on is different than the complaints have been launched but most of the time I find uh they have a pretty good explanation as to why they do what they do or or uh how they hand how they handle things. And and like I said, there was at least one instance where they did accommodate us, you know, as far as a request to to change something they do.

I know you we could go to our our county facility, which I think is wellrun and we're very diligent about, but we could get a litany of complaints if we took a per a survey there as well. That is part of the nature of being incarcerated in whatever shape or form. Do you think inmates deserve to be treated with dignity? Yes. Yes. Absolutely. That's not that's not even in question. And you've had one conversation with one inmate directed by somebody else, but you have initiated conversations with the management and ownership of the facility. We depend on them. We're not going to get direct access to a lot of different inmates. That's I mean that's not very likely.

Could you not if you wanted to? I mean, I have w we have walked through those facilities and it's not like they were in a big hurry to talk to us. I'll tell you that. Um maybe they were scared of it. I don't know. I mean, I'm I'm sure that would be the the counterargument, but um they're not subject to ma'am. So, we have, you know, we would have to make a request and the management is subject to your authority.

No, no, they're not. I I want to be clear on this. We have no power to go to GEO and say you must do X, Y, and Z. We have none of that. And that's where I think there's a lot of misconception. I mean, we can suggest, they've never turned us down when we called with a question. And and and remember, I'm the one who's the least or the least comfortable with this arrangement of anybody. But we have we have no authority over GO whatsoever. None. Nor do we have any authority to close it. That is and that that's the part I mean,

that's the giant misnomer. And to and to your point, Ivonne, I mean, and look, I still I I'm absolutely going to vote not to be part of this because I definitely don't think it's the place for the county to be, but if the argument is if we're out, would the would the facility still be open? And I think that's very much a yes, then we are removing ourselves from any sort of influence. Um, that has to be taken into account because I do think the argument that it'll close just because we choose not to participate is is highly unlikely. And I've seen no evidence to that. None. Nobody has come forward with anything that says as soon as Clearfield steps out, this place is going to go away.

So, can you do more to investigate the things that are coming out if if it's not going to change? And can you can you be more proactive about trying to seek I've got Okay, I'm just going to put this out there. We've got CIS, we oversee, we've got elections, we've got too busy. I We don't have time to be out there all the time. I mean, we do every time something like this comes up, we are we I agree. We are preactive and reactive and not as proactive. But frankly, I don't see it as our role to be going out there and and just constantly be telling them what to do. I think they and a prime example of that was the the hunger strike story. There was no hunger strike. I mean, we did look we wasted a day seem overblown

fielding it. Overblown is an understatement. It was a non-event. And so, but that's that's sort of my point. You've got you've got stories over here saying there's this hunger strike and there's worms in the food and blah blah blah and then we do a very we did a lot of work on that and found no evidence none that the food had anything like that and it's like okay but you didn't speak to inmates you just got

we spoke to people who worked there who definitely would have told us I mean if the food was that bad there with 400 people do you really I mean I'll say this and I'll say this on the record if our jail was serving food like that and we've got 30 cos there is this much chance that it wouldn't be in the media the next day. The cos would be going out and saying they're serving worms to our inmates. Absolutely. And I find it hard to believe that 400 of our residents who are working out there would lie not just to us but to their families and to everybody and say, "Oh yeah, that you know this that just defies belief." And I've also we've looked at the food. Now granted, people will say they knew we were coming and all this stuff, but

they didn't they didn't change the menu because we walked in on a given day. I mean, my my understanding is it's a national menu on a what did they say a six week rotation or something like that that it's not even set by them. It's set by Geo Corporate. So, they actually have to taste the food, too. Right. And and there are I understand your concerns. I just am not sure. I mean, at what point are we just delving down so much that To me, it I just don't know where to go with it. And we are not going to be out there every day. It's not going to happen. I just It's not our job.

Ma'am, listen. If somebody has a concern, you certainly can bring it to our attention. We will do our best to respond to it. We just, as Dave said, we can't we can't just drop everything and run out there every day, but we will we'll do our best to to try to address something that we feel, at least if we believe it's a legitimate concern. Uh I we don't doubt the sincerity of a lot of the folks that come talk to us and and see us. It's just as we've tried to explain, there's limits to what we can do and and we don't always find what folks feel is going on out there. You know, to say as I guess as best as I can. Um but um you know,

I appreciate where you're coming from. I really do. Yeah. In a perfect world, to to Tim's point, we need comprehensive immigration reform so that we don't even need facilities like I mean, the fact that some of these people were going there is ridiculous. And I' I've said that, but you know, whatever we decide with this, it's not going to affect that. I mean, let's say they even closed it down, they would, which isn't going to happen. They would just send these people somewhere else. So, this is a symptom of a larger problem, and I would like to fix the larger problem. myself.

Agreed. And this is and people people conflate the geoprocess valley processing center with an ICE detention center. It is not

average stay here is 43. Real average stay is probably in the 20s. That 43 is skewed by some longer term people who are involved in legal resolution. I believe last year average give or take400 a day almost 14,000 in and out of the facility. It is a very quick turnover processing facility for people who are facing an immigration detainer. And when people start tossing around words like concentration camp and Gestapo and what that's when I finished my conversation because that's not realistic.

Once you get into the hyperbole and the name calling, we're going to deal with facts. We're going to deal with facts that we can substantiate. If we do get a question, believe me, all three of us are on the phone or we go over, we try and find resolution to it. But like I said, the the hunger strike thing was just an agreed. There were employees there that didn't even that. They're like, "What hunger strike?" They had no idea what was being talked about. And it got fed into social media and grew legs and ran off and got bigger and became at least a regional story. And yes, that I believe it's safe to say that tied up at least a full day of our time. Um, so

anyhow, we're kind of rehashing the same things here. I do have another meeting. Yeah, we we got to wrap this up. Thank you all. When is the renewal up again? September. We don't we don't have any news on that yet. Yeah. And I know you've expressed your opposition continue. How about you two? Are you in still in favor of renewing the contract? If I had to vote today, I would still vote to renew. Exactly. How I'll vote at the end of September, I don't know, Jeff. We we have not we have not even begun

talking with anyone formally about this, but as as it sits now, I feel having at least a minor seat at the table is of value to Clarefield County and to Clar and it allows us to have this conversation and you still get $200,000 which is again we have not we don't have at this very moment we do not have an offer over No offer for people are fixated on the $200,000. You add up the time it takes to deal with

in in a $40 million budget, it's not. And when you talk the time we tie up in right to know request, the time we tie up in media request, the time we tie up every day receipt, no, it's not a lot of money. The real money is the $40 million economic impact of the facility to central Pennsylvania, primarily Clearfield County, but also Center Elk and surrounding counties. That's a follow-up question now. Like you said it costs a lot of resourc you're about out of questions.

You're quot Is the 200,000 you get from it, is it essentially offset from all the time and effort you have to put into this? Well, the way the last year has gone, I'm not sure it even offsets. Wow. But if we were tracking time that closely, especially with the right to know stuff, probably more than 200,000. Yeah, it'd be really close. Right to know time. And it's not just we get right to know. It's our time, too. I mean, honestly, this is taking a lot of work. We get right to know requests from a number of different avenues, but they are timeconuming. So, this is not a financial windfall for the Definitely not. People get fixated on that number and it that's not why we're doing this.

Can I ask you a question? Um I'm assuming that the conversation I just walked into was in regards to providing good jobs for the community. Are you going to stand by the fact that these are good jobs given the stats we know on the highest higher rates of PTSD among prison guards than there is veteran? Are you still going to call that a good job? I'm not aware of what stats you're citing and your your previous history of derogatory and demeaning social media post towards me calling the kettle black there in particularly leads me to discount your opinion. You can discount all you want, but the fact I just did

that the the rates of PTSD amongst are higher than that of veterans. And I wouldn't call a job and on a contract a good job. I have facilities too. We don't doubt it's workingass people the men who work there and the women who work there are also working and don't take care of their employees. Hey, hey, Justin. Can I get a next next Wednesday at 11?