2008 Inaugural Ceremony
On January 7, 2008, the County of Lycoming conducted an Inaugural Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. at the Community Arts Center, 220 West Fourth Street, in Williamsport.
All County, City, Township and Borough officials elected into office during the 2007 general election, as well as County and City appointed officials, were invited to participate in the ceremony. The new officials were administered the oaths of office by Court of Common Pleas Judges for the 29th Judicial District.
Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour, President of Pennsylvania College of Technology, provided the keynote address. Mr. Kenneth Sawyer, WRAK/WRKK Radio, served as master of ceremonies.
The Williamsport High School Millionaire Wind Ensemble provided music for the event. Soloist, Jamie Larson, a freshman at Bloomsburg State University, will sang the National Anthem. The Korean War Veterans presented the colors and Eagle Scout Kevin Neff of Cogan Station lead the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Rabbi Mac Portal of Ohev Sholom Synagogue and Reverend Andy France, Jr., chaplain for Lycoming County Prison, also participated in the Inaugural Ceremony.
Rebecca A. Burke, Chairperson
Personal
Mrs. Burke is commencing her third term as Commissioner of the County of Lycoming. As a county commissioner, she is concerned about the future of the county, including issues such as tax fairness,library funding, public safety and public services, and economic development.
In 1995, Rebecca was elected to serve on the Williamsport City Council. During her four-year term, she was involved in providing tax relief to city residents, as well as promoting and initiating new economic development, increasing codes enforcement and continuing support for law enforcement.
Rebecca was Director of Marketing and Management of Respiratory Clinical Supplies, Wheeling Division. She also served as Director of Pulmonary Services at the Wheeling Clinic where she designed and developed federally legislated Comprehensive Medical Facilities in three locations. Rebecca is also the former Executive Director of the Williamsport-Lycoming Arts Council where she developed the Partners in The Arts Program that serves nine counties.
Education
- Kettering College
- Licensed as a Registered Respiratory Care Practitioner
- Licensed by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission
- Graduate of County Commissioners Association of PA Academy of Excellence
- Graduate of County Commissioners Association of PA Advanced Academy of Excellence
Public Service
- Williamsport City Council 1996-2000
- Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities 1997-1999
- Secretary for the Central District of the League of Cities and Municipalities 1997-1999
- Participated in Conference on Pennsylvania Municipal Leadership in 1998
- Former STEP Board of Directors Secretary/Treasurer
- Main Street Committee
- Downtown Design Review Board
- Lycoming County Medical Alliance Legislative Affairs Representative
- Director of Williamsport-Lycoming Council of Republican Women
- Corporate Advisory Board of the Pennsylvania College of Technology
- Lycoming County Visitors and Tourist Bureau Marketing Committee
- Lycoming Affairs Council
- Divine Providence Auxiliary
- Annunciation Church
- Women's Club of Williamsport, member
Commissioner Responsibilities
- Chairperson Lycoming County Community Gas Exploration Task Force
- Co-Chairperson CCAP Community Gas Exploratin Task Force
- County Commissioner Association of PA Board of Directors
- Chamber Advisory Board
- Chamber Legislative Committee
- Pine Creek Rails to Trails Co-Chairperson
- Route 15 Coalition
- SEDA COG Board of Directors
- Tax Advisory Board
- Williamsport Area Transportation Committee (WATS)
- MHMR Joinder Board
- Children & Youth Standing Committee
- Williamsport Alliance 2000 Chairman
- Industrial Properties Corporation
County Department Responsibilities
- Department of Public Safety
- Human Resources
- Planning and Community Development
- Planning Commission
- Retirement Board
- Prison Board
Ernest P. Larson, Vice Chairman
Personal
Mr. Larson is commencing his second term as a Commissioner of the County of Lycoming. Mr. Larson is a graduate of South Williamsport High School and attended Penn College. Mr. Larson has 43 years experience as a journeyman brick layer with the International Brick Layers and Allied Crafts. Mr. Larson also is a part time instructor in the construction design department at Penn College of Technology. He also sits on the advisory board of the Construction design department.
Commissioner Responsibilities
County Department Responsibilities
- Cooperative Extension
- Maintenance
- Resource Management Services
- Prison Board
- Retirement Board
Jeff C. Wheeland, Secretary
Personal
Mr. Wheeland is commencing his first term as Commissioner of the County of Lycoming.
Jeff C. Wheeland is the son of Carl E. Wheeland and the late Mary Schriner Wheeland. He is a 1975 graduate of Montoursville High School and earned an Associate degree in Business Management from the former Williamsport Area Community College in 1977. He has also taken a number of business related courses at Lycoming College.
Mr. Wheeland and his wife, the former Jessica A. Vannucci, own Home Service Beverage, First Ice, and are involved in real estate. Home Service Beverage has been in the Wheeland family since 1967, and is a distributor of beer and soda. First Ice, created in 1997, manufacturers packaged bag and block ice with distribution throughout Lycoming County.
Mr. Wheeland and his wife reside in Loyalsock Township. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeland are the parents of four sons: Chad, Benjamin, Gregory, and Jacob. They have two dogs Chevy and Molly.
Professional Activities
Mr. Wheeland is a past Director of the Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania and is a current member of the Young Men’s Republican Club, Sons of Italy, Ross Club, Wheel Inn, Consolidated Sportsman of Lycoming County, Loyalsock Creek Men’s Club, Trout Unlimited, the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and the Lick Run Hunting Club.
Commissioner Responsibilities
County Department Responsibilities
- Fiscal Services
- Assessment
- Information Services
- Public Defender
- Prison Board
- Retirement Board