Gov. Wolf’s 14-County Tour Makes Marienville Stop

Scott Shindledecker

Scott Shindledecker

Published September 23, 2017 2:18 pm
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MARIENVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — Governor Tom Wolf made a stop in Marienville on Friday as the Forest County community began celebrating its annual Oktoberfest.

(PHOTO ABOVE: Governor Wolf talks to local residents during his stop in Marienville. Photo by Deb Arner.)

Wolf is on a four-day, 14-county tour in northern Pennsylvania visiting local businesses, schools, hospitals, and historical landmarks while meeting with area residents.

On Friday, Wolf finished the third day of his tour in Marienville after visiting Bradford, in McKean County, and Warren, Pa.

“As I have traveled the state visiting communities and listening to people working in manufacturing, schools, healthcare, and tourism, it is clear that we’re working together to create jobs and improve communities,” Governor Wolf said. “It is important for the state to hear from communities in every part of the Commonwealth to learn how we can support them and see the progress being made in economic development, education, and workforce training.”


(Video by Scott Shindledecker)

The tour was originally scheduled for a stop in Tionesta to tour the Market Village, but with most of the market shut down after Labor Day, the decision was made to visit Marienville.

Forest County Commissioner Bob Snyder was busy late Thursday and Friday planning for Governor Wolf’s visit and coordinating security.

“It’s awesome to have the governor come to the county,” Snyder said. “Governor Wolf was invited by a veteran to come here.”

Snyder, a former Forest County sheriff, said two members of the Governor’s security detail were former county law enforcement officers — one a state police officer and another a former county probation officer.


(Video by Scott Shindledecker)

Members of the Forest County School District, led by Superintendent Amanda Hetrick, welcomed the Wolfs to Marienville.

“We wanted to make sure he knows how much we appreciate the battle he’s fighting for public education because, without it, Pennsylvania fails,” Hetrick said. “Our children need to be educated, so they can go on and receive further schooling, so they can excel in life. I believe we are the key element of that.”

Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf came to Marienville on Friday 9/22 and met with local/school officials and toured the October Fest booths. Mrs. Hetrick, Forest Area's Superintendent, is pictured with Bob Snyder County Commissioner and Governor Tom Wolf. Photo by Deb Arner.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf came to Marienville on Friday, September 22, and met with local/school officials and toured the Octoberfest booths. Mrs. Hetrick, Forest Area’s Superintendent, is pictured with Bob Snyder County Commissioner and Governor Tom Wolf. Photo by Deb Arner.

The governor’s first stop on Friday was Bradford, where he and the First Lady, Frances, visited Zippo Manufacturing, a family-owned business celebrating 85 years as an iconic brand in Pennsylvania.

The Zippo lighter has been featured in more than 2,000 movies, stage plays, and television shows over the years, and its famous Zippo “click” sound has been sampled on songs. Zippo lighters have been featured on album covers, tattooed on rockers’ skin, and wielded in Rolling Stone photo shoots.

While at Zippo, the Wolfs saw the manufacturing process, talked with employees — some of whom have worked at the factory for many years — and learned about how the factory has helped the town of Bradford grow and thrive over the years.

Following the Zippo visit, the tour stopped at Kinzua Bridge State Park in Mt. Jewett where the governor and first lady joined Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.

Governor Tom Wolf - Marienville
(Photo by Scott Shindledecker)

They met with the staff of the PA Wilds Conservation Shop, managed through a public-private partnership that is increasing economic opportunities for small local producers and area artisans.

After discussing the importance of Pennsylvania’s state parks for the tourism industry in rural communities, the governor visited the Kinzua Bridge skywalk, a 600-foot pedestrian walkway overlooking the Kinzua Gorge. The skywalk was constructed in 2011 after the Kinzua Viaduct was partially destroyed by a tornado in 2003.

Governor Wolf also visited Whirley-DriveWorks in Warren where he and the first lady spoke with employees and toured the family-owned business.

On Saturday, September 23, Governor Wolf and the first lady will visit Elk County, Jefferson County, and Clearfield County with stops at the Elk County Visitors Center, BWP Bats near Brookville, and the Harmony Grange Fair.

(Photos below by Deb Arner)
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