Those working to establish a community college in the Central Susquehanna Valley seem to understand that they are standing at the chasm that separates dream from reality.
Everyone agrees that the vision of establishing a community college sounds worthwhile. Yet, no county leader has demonstrated the level of political commitment required to make the venture happen.
Lenaire K. Ahlum, president of the Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project, said Tuesday that the struggle to establish a community college has reached the point that it needs county government backing to apply for the federal Department of Education licensing.
She called upon community college advocates to begin lobbying county commissioners to lend their support to the plan. The group’s Web site even includes a link to a petitions page that allows Web browsers to immediately send a letter to their county commissioners.
Pressure from voters will likely be needed to motivate county leaders who may have a difficult time cost-justifying what may be a worthy investment, such as the community college.
Northumberland County, as the largest county in the region, seems to be the leading candidate to serve as prime sponsor, particularly since all indications suggest the community college would be located in the county seat of Sunbury.
However, Northumberland County already provides free space to Luzerne County Community College at the building in Shamokin where 500 students now take classes. The county covers the utility bills and is still paying on the loan taken out to renovate the building. In all, Northumberland County’s support of Luzerne County Community College’s Shamokin campus runs about $200,000 a year, county Commissioner Kurt Masser said Wednesday. Northumberland County would have a challenge finding another $200,000 to support a second community college without asking property owners to cope with a tax increase.
Community college advocates are on the right track as they try to marshal broad support for their plan. But, citizens and their elected leaders need a clear and concrete description of the expected costs and obligations that would be associated with the venture before any county signs on as a sponsoring organization.
The college’s supporters must appreciate how commissioners would be derelict in their duty if they endorsed the project without these basic facts and assurances. Closing this communication gap may bridge the chasm.
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