The FCBA is hosting a Lunch & Learn on Monday, November 4, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. "Legal Issues Involved in the Right of Disposition in Pennsylvania" will be presented by Kathleen K. Ryan, Esquire. Kathleen K. Ryan is General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer for Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association and Unichoice Cooperative Inc. Participation is limited to 20, there are currently 3 spots available.

Commissioner David S. Keller took the time to sit down and discuss the changes in Franklin County since he took office.  He was elected in the fall of 2007 to begin his current position in January, 2008 and was reelected for the term beginning in 2012.  David quickly pointed to the challenging economic conditions plaguing our area in 2008.

          Initially, the Commissioners wanted to build a new Judicial Center to  provide better security for everyone, more space for court proceedings and a central location of all court related offices.  Once it became clear that neither economic conditions nor did the voters particularly wanted to move court functions from the downtown area, they decided to go ahead with more modest improvements and expansion of the current campus. 

          The addition of a sally port to the rear of the Courthouse Annex is one of the completed improvements.  Prior to the construction, inmates headed for court were unloaded from the transportation vehicles in the alley between the buildings.  Obviously, that raised some security issues, not only for the guards but also the inmates.  Inmates are now unloaded indoors, reducing the possibility of confrontation or escape.

          Another improvement was to create a hearing annex at the old Junior Fire Company building.  That project, constructed at the same time as the sally port, was completed with two court rooms and a holding cell as well as offices, conference rooms and a waiting area.  The old stair case and stairs, part of the original construction from around 1872 when the Junior Fire Company was formed, remain as access to the offices in the back of the building.  Dave is especially proud that the commissioners were able to re utilize a great old building while preserving the architectural features, including that magnificent stair case.  The hearing annex is used for divorce proceedings, support appeals and juvenile dispositions before a master.

          Upon moving these functions from the Courthouse Annex, it was possible to move Judge Krom from the old juvenile hearing room in the old court house behind Court Room 1 to larger new quarters on the second floor of the Courthouse Annex, creating Court Room 5.  The office for Central Court Administration, which had originally occupied the area now designated as the Judge's chambers, has been moved to the offices outside of Court Room 1.

          With vision towards the future growth and need of the County, the Commissioners have purchased the old Chambersburg Trust Company Building, the Harmon Furniture building, the Coldsmith building between the Tony Gargaro complex and the Hearing Annex, and the Wogan uniform building.  Currently there are no plans for the space, but these purchases will give the County flexibility to expand its downtown presence in the future.

          A more recent change at the County is the Commissioners' pending sale of the county nursing home after finding a reputable firm to purchase and privatize the operation.  Most of the counties in Pennsylvania have eliminated their ownership of nursing homes.  It's difficult to be a health care and housing provider for the elderly and doing so requires a highly specialized operation.  The private sector is now better able to provide appropriate services for Franklin County residents in need of skilled nursing care, but Franklin County continues to act as a safety net through the provision of many other humans services programs.

          While the County still is providing administrative and program oversight for all mental health, intellectual disabilities and early intervention programs, the Commissioners have also contracted for case management of all of these programs.  Privatizing case management for mental health, intellectual disabilities and early intervention should lead to better services for residents as an independent source will be making sure that the consumers of these services receive quality care.

          David gave great credit to county employees for their hard work and dedication, and, in particular, noted that John Hart has been the county administrator for over twenty-five years and has encouraged the modernization of the county facilities and services.

          Before becoming a commissioner, David had full time employment as a computer network consultant and salesman.  He worked with Franklin County, school districts, businesses, and non profit organizations.  His focus was to implement technology to improve administration.  He had graduated from Chambersburg Area Senior High School in 1987.  He then attended and graduated from Franklin and Marshall in 1991 with a degree in political science.  David decided he wanted to be involved with public service.  He continued working with computers, but started at Widener Law School, graduating from the four year plan in the spring of 2007.  While completing law school, he began his campaign after learning of the opening created by G. Warren Elliott stepping down.

          David and his wife Rebecca Bachman of Fayetteville are the proud parents of twin girls, Audrey and Olivia, age 3 � and Sophie, age 1 �.  David served in the Navy Reserves from May 2001 until graduation from law school.

          It was with regret that I learned of the passing of LeRoy S. Maxwell, Sr., Esq.  He was always a gentleman and the consummate professional whenever I had dealings with him.  A mentor to two judges of our court and numerous fine attorneys, his sense of fairness and justice will continue beyond his passing.  Go in peace, sir.