GAZETTE THE CENTRE COUNTY
www.CentreCountyGazette.com
POPPING THE QUESTION
Newly engaged couples from Centre County share their stories of how the big moment happened. Check out some creative marriage proposals, including one in which a man popped the question in front of his fiancee’s class./Pages 16-17
March 2-8, 2017
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Volume 9, Issue 9
‘GT’ eyes 1-on-1 talks; residents demand answers By G. KERRY WEBSTER kerry.ccgazette@gmail.com
UNIVERSITY PARK — A lecture hall in the Forum at Penn State University was full to capacity on Feb. 25 for a town hall meeting for the constituents of U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard Township; however, the Republican representing the 5th Congressional District was not in attendance. “This is what the congressman looks like,” said Marc Friedenberg, as he produced a life-sized cardboard cut-out of the congressman. Friedenberg, a lecturer at Penn State, organized the event, along with IST Student Government, through a Facebook group. “I want you to look to the left, and then look to the right. If you see Glenn Thompson, please let me know.” Cheers erupted from the crowd as visitors shot signs reading “GT, where are
QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
you?” and “Hey GT, we need to talk” into the air. Thompson told The Centre County Gazette on March 1 that he was notified of the event just days before and said he had prior commitments. “The organizers of this event contacted my office Monday evening for an event scheduled that Saturday,” said Thompson. “The venue and time changed twice, and unfortunately, I had a previous commitment. The organizer’s communications with my office indicated that they could care less if I was available to participate.” Thompson said he has several one-onone meetings scheduled with constituents at his Bellefonte office on Monday, March 6. Despite Thompson’s absence, the event rolled on as several constituents in the district addressed the cardboard cutout.
Friedenberg opened the dialogue posing the first question, asking Thompson if he would agree to hiring an independent counsel to examine the Trump administration’s ties with Russia. “And if you don’t, why not?” he asked. The crowd reacted with applause, and held green construction paper in the air to show their agreement. For comments and responses the crowd disagreed with, they held up red papers. Friedenberg’s question was followed by questions and stories from several residents of the district, spanning from health care reform to environmental impacts and job creation. David Werner, a local physician with elected experience in Ferguson Township, said he attended the gathering to “sound Thompson, Page 6
G. KERRY WEBSTER/The Gazette
ORGANIZER MARC FRIEDENBERG stands with a cardboard cut-out of U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson at a town hall meeting Feb. 25 at the Forum on the Penn State campus.
Ferguson Township launches search for new manager
PINK OUT
By MARK BRACKENBURY editor@centrecountygazette.com
TIM WEIGHT/For the Gazette
MORE THAN 500 breast cancer survivors took to the floor of the Bryce Jordan Center during halftime of the Penn State Lady Lions’ annual Pink Zone game Feb. 26. The event helped raise money to battle breast cancer. A crowd of 8,213 helped power the Lions to a 76-75 upset win over Michigan. More coverage on page 20.
FERGUSON TOWNSHIP — Township leaders have launched a nationwide search to replace manager Mark Kunkle, who is retiring from the position in late May after 32 years. The board of supervisors set a target to hire a new manager by June, said board chairman Steve Miller, who characterized it as a “fairly aggressive schedule.” “We’re definitely hoping to have someone hired” by the time Kunkle departs, Miller said, adding that the person may not actually be on the job that quickly depending on factors such as having to give notice to another employer. The successful candidate will have big MARK KUNKLE shoes to fill, Miller said. Manager, Page 7
Milesburg woman gives a voice to the voiceless Entrepreneur creates communication device for people with cerebral palsy By G. KERRY WEBSTER kerry.ccgazette@gmail.com
BELLEFONTE — There are more than 3.4 million people in the world with a form of cerebral palsy that includes complex communications needs. Millions of others are living with medical conditions that also make communicating with others difficult, if not impossible. But there may be some hope in sight for these individuals, and the technology to help these people communicate took root right here in Centre County. On Feb. 28, Milesburg resident Mary Elizabeth McCulloch, founder and CEO Police Blotter .................... 2 Opinion ............................ 9
of Project Vive, visited the Centre County Board of Commissioners to discuss a new product that will help bring a voice to the voiceless. “We wanted to be able to create something that’s affordable and effective for people who just don’t have the capacity to speak on their own,” said McCulloch. McCulloch is a 2012 graduate of Bald Eagle Area High School, and upon graduation, she took the opportunity through the Pleasant Gap Rotary Club to study abroad. She traveled to Ecuador, where she found several individuals having trouble communicating be-
Health & Wellness .......... 10 Nutrition ......................... 12
cause of their CP. She said the people were using technology from the United States, but the technology was outdated and, in some cases, the devices would break and could not be fixed. “It was sad to see some of these people who were getting good at communicating with devices, then only to have them taken away because they would break or falter,” she said. “I knew these people were smart and wanted to communicate, but because of their conditions, they couldn’t. I wanted to do something about that.” Voice, Page 7
Community .................... 13 Newly Engaged .............. 16
Sports .............................. 18 Around & In Town ......... 24
G. KERRY WEBSTER/The Gazette
MARY ELIZABETH McCULLOCH, founder and CEO of Project Vive, demonstrates technology that will help people struggling with communication issues.
What’s Happening ......... 27 Puzzles ............................ 28
Business .......................... 29 Classifieds ....................... 31