Schuylkill County commissioners donate another $100,000 toward nursing careers

Jan. 25—POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill County commissioners on Wednesday approved a second donation of $100,000 in public money toward the future of health care in the county.

The latest contribution will create the Frank J. Staudenmeier Memorial Scholarship for nursing program students at Penn State Schuylkill.

It follows a Jan. 18 vote to give $100,000 to Alvernia University Pottsville CollegeTowne for its nursing program, also in memory of Staudenmeier, a popular commissioner who was serving his fourth term when he died in Florida in 2020.

Chairman Barron L. "Boots" Hetherington described the donations as something that will "help every resident" in the county.

"The idea is to help everyone by having a better opportunity for health care," he said.

Hetherington said there was "deep discussion and thought" on the topic by the commissioners.

Hetherington was joined by Gary J. Hess in approving the money Wednesday; George F. Halcovage Jr. was not at the meeting. All three approved the Alvernia donation.

For the Penn State Schuylkill scholarship, Hetherington said a preference will be given to county residents.

He said he spoke with Penn State Schuylkill Chancellor Patrick M. Jones previously, and was told the scholarship money would be helpful.

Jones declined to comment Wednesday.

The $200,000 in donations comes from a contingency fund Hetherington described as part of the county's general fund. It is used for expenses that are not budgeted.

He said Wednesday he does not know the balance of the fund.

Hetherington said he isn't worried that more organizations will seek money. As it stands, commissioners get requests frequently, he said, but rarely make contributions of that size.

Hess said donating the money to Alvernia and for the scholarships is "a great way to fulfill a need" and invest in the future.

He said he's experienced that need firsthand with recent hospitalizations, one for COVID-19, at two different county hospitals.

"I got outstanding care," he said.

Hess was also unaware of the balance of the contingency account, which he described as "almost like a reserve."

He said the commissioners examine requests for financial assistance that come in "all the time."

Finance Director Paul E. Buber did not return a call for more details about the contingency fund.

In other business, the commissioners approved changing election polling places for the 2023 primary in Schuylkill Haven and Minersville back to their locations prior to the pandemic.

Voters in the Schuylkill Haven South Precinct will cast votes at the Schuylkill Haven High Rise, 255 Parkway, instead of the Schuylkill Haven Senior Center; and Minersville voters in the 2nd Precinct will return to the Minersville High Rise, 300 Lewis St., instead of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4 Lewis St.

Also, deceased veterans will have flags placed on their graves again for Memorial Day.

The commissioners approved purchasing 39,600 flags from FlagZone, of Gilbertsville, Montgomery County, at a cost of $32,868, or 83 cents per flag.

Director of Veterans Affairs Brenda L. Zechman said the cost last year was $26,200, or 66 cents per flag. Inflation is to blame, she said.

The 32 organizations that will place flags on graves can collect them the first week in May at the courthouse. A date has not yet been chosen.

Contact the writer: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023