(3/2020) On behalf of the Adams County Board of Commissioners, I would like to welcome our new Adams County Manager Steve Neveda. Steve was most recently the Assistant County Administrator in neighboring Franklin County. He has a background in county administration and behavioral health. Steve is a native of Adams County and lives in the Buchanan Valley with his family. He is very active in the community and is a valuable addition to the county team. Steve may be contacted at snevada@adamscounty.us or at 717-680-3126.

It has been a goal of the Board to maximize investment income as part of maintaining Adams County’s strong financial position. To that end, we have formed a Financial Team approach that puts Finance, Treasurer, Controller and the Commissioner’s office at the table with regular meetings to discuss financial operations, practices and strategies. Treasurer Crissy Redding is reporting that last year investment interest income totaled $538,478. In 2018 it was $492,300 and in 2017 $268,200. An improving economy plus seeking and levering better interest rates have resulted in this upward trend. A shout out to our Financial Team for their collaboration and contributions to our strong financial position - which directly correlates to the scope and volume of service we can provide to Adams County residents.

The goal of providing a substance recovery center in Adams County will soon become a reality. The ceremonial groundbreaking was held on January 21 with a large number of families, public officials and health care advocates in attendance. The center will provide seven residential rooms for males upstairs and a walk-in center for the community on the ground level. At the February 12 Commissioner Meeting, the final approvals for the Mercy House contractors was approved and the proceed with construction directive was also approved. The asbestos remediation is completed. Residents will soon see contractors’ vehicles parked in front of Mercy House with a completion date hopefully by September. The Board would like to express our gratitude to our York/Adams Health Joinder, Adams County staff, Crabtree & Rohrbaugh Architects, and the many community organizations and individual donors that made this project a reality. The Board has begun very preliminary discussions regarding a similar residential recovery center for our female population.

After beginning fundraising three years ago, the long-awaited Adams County Law Enforcement Firearms Training Range, that sits beside the Adams County 911 Center, has become a reality with the finishing touches now being applied. Although the range has been in use for nine months, recently the lanes have been leveled, a pavilion erected, and the memorable flag plaza and donor wall is being completed. The lighted American Flag will majestically fly over the range 24/7. A special thank you to Maintenance staff member Brad Weaver for his expertise in making the memorial flag plaza a special part of the range. Community organizations, businesses and individuals donated approximately $200,000 to support our Adams County Law Enforcement community to enhance their safety and the safety of our community. Thank you and job well done!

As most everyone is aware by now, there was an attack on the Adams County Courthouse during the night of December 22, when a Molotov cocktail was tossed through the Clerk of Courts window from Legion Alley. Fortunately, the device did not ignite or make entry into the interior of the building. The building alarm resulted in quick response by Gettysburg & Cumberland Twp. PD. After extensive investigation, as reported in local media, the individual was identified and taken into custody in Gettysburg. A number of related charges including attempted arson have been filed. The case and the subject have recently been turned over to Federal authorities for prosecution due to the nature of the acts. Thank you to Gettysburg and Cumberland Township Police Departments for their quick response to the incident and Gettysburg PD and Adams County Detectives for their investigative follow-up.

Preserving our local history, agrian heritage and beautiful vistas is an important part of who we are in Adams County. Last month the commissioners had the privilege of recognizing two individuals who have been part of that process for many years. Tom Clowney and Tim Brown were founding members of the Adams County Agricultural Land Preservation Board and have served on the Board for all 30 years. Besides being iconic Adams County farmers, they have committed a large chunk of their adult life to promoting and facilitating agriculture and agricultural preservation in Adams County. At the Annual Re-organization meeting of the Ag Land Preservation Board, hosted by Rural Resources Manager Ellen Dayhoff, Commissioners Randy Phiel & Jim Martin presented 30-year recognition plaques from the Board to Tom Clowney & Tim Brown. Tim was not able to attend to accept his plaque, which will be presented at later date. Both Tom Clowney and Tim Brown are gentleman and community servants who exemplify some of the best attributes of our community!

Remember those long lines during the last Presidential election when 73% of the Adams electorate showed up at the polls? Although several of the larger polls like Cumberland, Conewago and Reading have been re-balanced or split, planning in Adams County has already begun to plan for the expected large turn-out in the upcoming April Presidential Primary. New PA legislation takes effect for the April 2020 primary that creates a new option to "Vote By Mail." Voters must request a ballot at least 50 days before an election. It can be done on-line or at the county elections office. Voters can then be placed on a list to permanently receive a ballot application by mail. Voting was previously limited to absentee applications with certain restrictions. Now anyone can vote early by mail. Avoid the lines. For more information on Early Mail In Voting call the Adams County Elections Office at 717-334-6781.

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