2012 Inaugural Ceremony

On January 3, 2012, 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 2011 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 Butts and Gray.

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 Loyalsock High School Band povided music for the event. Soloist, Jamie Larson, a graduate of Bloomsburg State University, sang the National Anthem.  The Korean War Veterans presented the colors and Eagle Scout Tucker Gordner of Montgomery lead the pledge of allegiance to the flag. 

Rabbi Shaul Rappeportl of Ohev Sholom Synagogue also participated in the Inaugural Ceremony.

Jeff C. Wheeland, Chairman

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Mr. Wheeland is comencing his second term as Commissioner of the County of Lycoming. As a county commissioner, he is concerned that some of Lycoming County's work force may be overlooked by the gas industry as potential employees, due to lack of experience or training. Mr. Wheeland supports and advocates the concept of home grown energy as a way to retain and recruit family sustaining jobs in the county. Tax fairness is also a great concern of his and he advocates for a diversification of the tax base beyond property tax.

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 is a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Williamsport.
Mr. Wheeland coowns Home Service Beverage, First Ice, and is 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 resides in Loyalsock Township and is the father of four sons: Chad, Benjamin, Gregory, and Jacob.     

Professional Activities

Mr. Wheeland is a 2010 graduate of the County Commissioners Association of PA Academy of Excellence.  He is also a past Director of the Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania and is a current member of the Young Men’s Republican Club, 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.  

Mr. Wheeland is currently enrolled in the County Commissioners Associatoin of PA's Advanced Academy of Excellence.

Mr. Wheeland is the only County Commissioner that was appointed to serve on the Governor’s Marcellus Shale Commission.  He also was elected to serve as District IV representative to the CCAP governing board.

Commissioner Responsibilities

• Route 15 Coalition
• Joinder Board
• SEDA COG
• Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board
• Industrial Properties Corporation
• CCAP Energy, Environment, Land Use Committee
• NACO Energy, Environment, Land Use Committee
• LGAC (Local Government Advisory Committee to the Chesapeake Bay)
• WATS

County Department Responsibilities

• Human Resources
• Assessment
• Fiscal Services
• Planning and Community Development
• President, Prison Board
• Retirement Board 

Ernest P. Larson, Vice Chairman

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Mr. Larson is completing 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

• Ag Land Preservation
• Conservation District
• State Solid Waste Advisory Board
• Human Services Advisory Board
• Chamber Board of Directors 
• Joinder Board Executive Committee
• MHMR-Joinder Board
• Williamsport Area Transporation Committee(WATS)
• Recreation Authority
• Pine Creek Rails to Trails

County Department Responsibilities

• Cooperative Extension
• Public Safety
• Resource Management Services
• Prison Board
• Retirement Board

Tony R. Mussare, Secretary

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Mr. Mussare is beginning his first term serving as Commissioner for the County of Lycoming.  He has earned a business management degree from the former Williamsport Area Community College.  He has been in local retail service business and real estate 25 years.  He also sits on the leadership council of the national federation of independent businesses.

Commissioner Responsibilities

• Bi-County Office of Aging
• Joinder Board
• Joinder Board Executive Committee
• WIB-LEO
• STEP
• Library System Board
• WATS
• Alliance 2000

County Department Responsibilities

• Maintenance
• Public Defender
• Information Services
• Prison Board
• Retirement Board