Cambria rec authority reorganizes, talks naming policy
Jan. 20—EBENSBURG, Pa. — The Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority held its reorganization meeting on Friday, retaining all existing officers and Executive Director Cliff Kitner.
Chairman Thomas Kakabar was again appointed to that role, followed by Richard Bloom as vice chair; Renee Daly, secretary; Thomas Fritz, treasurer; and Charles Gironda, secretary-treasurer.
The group also approved Kitner to retain his position, which he has held since 2015, and set the dates for the authority's meetings as the third Friday of each month at the Young Peoples Community Center in Ebensburg. The June, July and August meetings will be held at Sandyvale Memorial Gardens and Conservancy, Duman Lake County Park and Rock Run Recreation Area, respectively.
"Entering my 10th year, I'm excited to continue our efforts in providing these amazing opportunities for the enhancement of our communities," Kitner said.
The regular meeting opened with Cambria County Commissioner Thomas Chernisky, who said that the county's allotment to the CCCRA was increased to $218,931 annually — a $52,000 hike. He also spoke about the importance of outdoor recreation to the area and how he and other elected officials are working to keep that top-of-mind for state officials.
In other business, the board discussed a possible naming policy for infrastructure and trails.
Kitner told the members that they had received correspondence from a community member regarding the naming of a bridge along a CCCRA-owned trail. He sought guidance on this topic regarding how the state deals with this matter.
Kitner said he spoke with state Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr., R-Richland Township, who recommended that the authority create a policy.
"I don't think we've ever had a precedent set," Kitner said.
Kitner pointed out that when sections or areas of paths have been named in the past, it's been for clear reasons. His concern was that if the board allows this request, it would create an influx of submissions, and he wanted the board members' input.
Kakabar said the issue seemed like a good conversation for the trail development or executive committees to review.
Additional topics discussed by the group on Friday included a washout on the Ghost Town Trail between Twin Rocks and Vintondale; a Pennsylvania Watersheds grant; Path of the Flood Trail signage through the September 11th National Memorial Trail and the South Fork Historical Society; and a progress report on the Bridge Street trailhead project on the Jim Mayer Riverswalk Trail.
