COUDERSPORT — Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Mike Stack visited northcentral Pennsylvania this week to speak with local officials and residents and visit attractions across Potter and Tioga counties, and invited a local representative to take part in state-led veterans discussions.

Stack took part in a presentation and roundtable discussion led by members of the Potter County Veterans’ Service Committee and veterans service representatives from Cameron, McKean and Potter counties on Thursday morning at the Gunzburger Building, which was attended by members of area Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion organizations.

“I hear a lot that no one seems to be interested in the northern tier. That’s not the case; I’m very interested in this area. There’s so much here,” said Stack, who stated that rural and urban communities are often quick to point out the differences between them, “but we haven’t worked enough on our similarities. The priorities where I’m from are the same as they are here. We just need to work together.”

Members of the veterans’ service committee, which is made up of Potter County Commissioner Paul Heimel, county Veterans Affairs director Bill Simpson, and Commissioners’ Secretary Dawn Wooster, spoke on the many programs that have been developed and implemented to benefit Potter County veterans and the memories of those who have served their country.

Potter County has launched a number of initiatives to benefit veterans, including a partnership with the Bath (New York) VA Medical Center to operate a clinic within Potter County. Prior to the clinic’s opening, veterans drove 200 or more miles round-trip to attend VA appointments.

Officials lamented the mandate by states and the federal government for counties to provide services to veterans without proper funding. All three county directors in attendance are part-time. In Potter County, with a population of 17,000, the veterans’ director is only employed two days per week.

“Counties do not declare wars; we shouldn’t be responsible for the costs of them,” said Heimel. “Counties are making a case for the federal government to fund these programs.”

Efforts within the county to get benefits into the hands of more veterans have been successful, with Potter officials reporting that benefit payments have nearly doubled, and that money is having a ripple effect through the county’s economy. Claims are up across the region.

The Potter County veterans’ discount card is a program that attracts veterans, who are then informed on the benefits they are entitled to due to their service. All agencies have redoubled their outreach efforts to get more veterans the benefits they deserve.

Transportation was cited as a major issue for veterans, and all residents of Cameron, McKean and Potter counties, and even those living in Potter are still sent to Erie and other distant areas to see specialists for heart issues and other serious medical conditions. The three counties have varying programs to provide rides to veteran medical appointments, and McKean County has developed a fund to help reimburse veterans when billed for rides — often at a cost of $18 per hour.

McKean County has also developed an advisory board/task force organization to bring all the service providers together to ensure that veterans are being referred to agencies that can help them and to limit duplication and waste. Officials often contact each other to work on issues that arise, or to get advice on how to best serve their constituents.

Also highlighted were the Project Healing Waters and LEEK Preserve efforts to give soldiers injured in the line of duty new experiences to help them cope with transition back to civilian life.

Stack invited Heimel to serve on a task force he developed to work on issues affecting veterans, stating that he feels the panel needs a representative from this area of the state. Heimel said the service committee appreciates the opportunity to be involved in the discussion, and they are presenting similar information, along with voicing their support for legislation to protect veterans and donors from fraud.

“Great ideas come out of these small places,” Stack said. “We have our veterans task force and it’s designed for exactly what you’re talking about. The things you guys are doing are simply amazing, and we’d love for you to present to our task force.”

One of the biggest initiatives being tackled by Potter County is the veterans’ gravestone restoration project, the first of its kind to be organized at the county level anywhere in the US. The project has garnered broad support across the county, and a number of volunteers turned out on a cold and rainy Saturday morning last month to clean graves. They completed about one-third of those located at Eulalia Cemetery, where it is estimated there are between 350 and 400 veterans buried.

Stack is being accompanied by Retired Brigadier General Frank Sullivan, a native of Potter County and a colleague of Stack’s on a task force developed by the lieutenant governor to work on issues affecting veterans.

In addition to the veterans’ discussion, Stack visited the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon and Cherry Springs State Park, Wellsboro and Mansfield University, and spoke with tourism, business and government officials during his visit.

Stack reiterated his commitment to veterans, stating that he would try and block any plan that diminishes veterans or the benefits that they have earned.

“The time we spent together was very valuable. Nothing can be more honorable than trying to serve our veterans,” said Stack. “I appreciate the service and patriotism of the people in the Northern Tier, and I thank you all for your service and dedication.”