Commissioners accept another resignation, hire chief clerk
SOMERSET ― Somerset County Commissioners accepted another resignation request Tuesday from a county director
The resignation of Rebecca Canavan, director of the fiscal department, is effective April 12.
Resignations from Children and Youth Services administrator Doug Walters, GIS department director Alyssa Bundzuh, Planning Commission director Bradley Zearfoss, trail manager Lindsay Baer and IT director Glen Wagner have all been accepted since last fall. Some of them were for retirement, commissioners said.
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Canavan has accepted a position with the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission. She has been with the county for 18 years. The county's fiscal department is responsible for monitoring money and accounts every day, commissioners said.
"We hate to lose her, but understand other opportunities present themselves," Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes said after the meeting. "The workforce is very competitive. It's a small market."
The commissioners said they knew there was a group of employees reaching retirement eligibility for some time, and that the county is only one of many businesses to have this issue.
"It's a domino effect everywhere at the directors' level," Tokar-Ickes said.
The positions are being advertised.
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Chief clerk position filled
Another position has been filled after about a year-long vacancy. Scott DeArmitt was hired as chief clerk in the commissioners' office, at a salary of $57,000 a year, effective March 11.
DeArmitt is from Berlin and comes to the position with years of experience in the business and local government fields, said Brian Fochtman, commissioners' chairman.
"It's taken nearly a year looking for the right candidate," Tokar-Ickes said. "Now that it's filled we can move forward. We took this hiring position seriously. It's a key position for the county."
They said the previous board of commissioners and current commissioners conducted many interviews of good, strong applicants.
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"We hired the best person for the job," said Commissioner Irvin Kimmel Jr.
DeArmitt worked for 18 years for independent companies, including Hankook and Michelin tire companies. He served eight years on Meyersdale Council.
"I came here because I want to help make the county better," DeArmitt said after the meeting. "I want to work with Pam, Brian and Irv and make things better. I have two daughters I want to be able to live here. It is a great place to grow up. I was very lucky that I grew up here.
"I'll spend this money like it's my money."
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset County director resigns, chief clerk hired
