Published in the Daily Review, by Eric Hrin

August 17, 2014

Gov. Tom Corbett was busy Saturday in Bradford County: he kayaked down the Susquehanna River, took part in an archery demonstration, talked tourism, and spotted some eagles and a beaver.

"The beauty that we see coming down the river kayaking is just unbelievable," Corbett commented to a group of people at the Wysox Township Park Access.

Later, Corbett attended state Rep. Tina Pickett's annual barbecue in Rome Township, where he discussed his re-election campaign, paid tribute to World War II veterans, and answered questions from reporters. He even signed some autographs.

From start to finish, it was a full day for the governor.

Corbett joined state and local officials, and local tourism and conservation partners to kayak the river, from Ulster Township to Wysox Township, as part of a two-day effort to promote Pennsylvania's tourism industry, according to his office.

Around 11 a.m. at the Wysox Township Park Access, Corbett and his party came ashore, where members of the Valley Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) of Rome were putting on an archery demonstration. Nicole Harris, park naturalist from Mt. Pisgah State Park, and Mt. Pisgah State Park Manager Ken Gwin were also on hand.

"I think it's good he's getting out to the counties in Northeast Pennsylvania," said Gwin, moments before the governor arrived at the park access in his kayak. He thought the visit gave Corbett the chance to see issues affecting the area first-hand, such as the natural gas industry. Harris spoke with the governor about the history of archery and the recent Women in the Wilds event, held at Mt. Pisgah State Park.

Corbett watched as the YHEC members provided the archery demonstration. "It was really nice," said one member, Alexis Teribury, 12, of meeting Corbett. After watching the children exhibit their skills, the governor used an Excalibur crossbow to take aim at some targets.

With the river as a background, Corbett provided some remarks, after being introduced by Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Ellen Ferretti.

"This is our effort to try and encourage tourism, encourage getting out into the outdoors, encourage getting children out into the outdoors, because it really is part of the heritage of Pennsylvania, and it's a strong part of the economy of Pennsylvania, also," he said.

Commenting on the beauty of the river, Corbett said that he and his party saw at least three eagles, possibly four on their trip down the river.

He said that he also saw a beaver, five or ten feet away.

"He went under the water; we were waiting for him to come back up," he commented.

Corbett said the Susquehanna River is "a huge part of the treasures of Pennsylvania," noting the more than $2.7 billion that has spent to clean up the river and improve its health, through federal, state, and local funds and low-cost loans, since 2011.

He said everyone in Maryland and Virginia looks at what has been done to clean up the Susquehanna River Basin.

"And I think Pennsylvania should be very proud of the work that we have been doing on that."

Returning to the subject of tourism, Corbett noted the financial impact of this industry on the state, both in revenue and in jobs.

He noted that in 2012, tourism/travel-related economic activity supported 470,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly.

"Right here in Bradford County, tourism injected $225 million dollars into Pennsylvania's economy through visitors coming here and spending their time here, and it accounts for 1,300-some jobs here in Bradford County," he said.

"We see the economy changing up here drastically," he continued. "We see an influx of people coming with the natural gas, people coming up and seeing it. And I know some of the people who have come here to work from other parts of the state and other parts of the country are telling people the story of what is here in Pennsylvania, what is here in Bradford County, and hopefully you'll see many more tourists coming in here."

In addition, Corbett said the outdoors was important because it allows people to get fresh air and exercise.

Ferretti spoke about Corbett's "Enhance Penn's Woods" initiative, which was publicized with some information charts that were set up for people to view. She thanked him for the program.

"It's providing DCNR with over $200 million over a two-year period to repair and upgrade our state parks and forests," she said. "The foundation of our state parks and forests was crumbling, and we intend to fix it."

She noted the improvements that will take place in this area, as a result of the program, such as new camping cottages at Rickett's Glenn State Park and the replacement at Worlds End State Park of Cabin Bridge Road, which was washed out in 2011 as a result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

Lori Copp, executive director of the Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance, spoke about tourism's impact of Route 6.

"We know that 350,000 visitors travel Route 6 each year, enjoying our scenery, our outdoor recreation opportunities, and our small town quaintness," she said.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director John Arway said it was "a pleasure for Gov. Corbett to bring attention to outdoors in Pennsylvania. We always think of Penn's Woods, but we also have Penn's Waters." He said he enjoyed visiting this part of the state, and looked forward to returning.

Bradford County Commissioner Darryl Miller and his wife, Kay, went on the trip on the Susquehanna River with Corbett and his party. "It was a lot of fun, it was a beautiful day," Kay Miller commented. Unfortunately, their canoes flipped, and they got wet.

"Darryl, we just want to make sure you and your wife are OK; we're sorry we left you in our wake, out there," Corbett said, as he kidded the commissioner.

After his appearance in Wysox Township, Corbett attended the 13th Annual Friends of Tina Pickett Barbecue, which began at 1 p.m. on Tom and Diane Elliott's farm in Rome Township. According to Pickett, people from 10 counties attended the barbeque.

"I'm very happy to have him here," said Pickett of the Republican governor. "I think it's important to meet him and talk to him in person." Later, Pickett told those attending her barbecue that "it's just been a grand afternoon."

"I urge you to please work for him, vote for him," she said of Corbett. Pickett also said she enjoys serving as representative immensely, and pledged "to do everything I can to make things better in this District."

She discussed when some issues, such as pension adjustments and the liquor stores, might come up.

Bill Scranton, the former lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, had some complimentary words about Corbett.

"This man took office in Harrisburg at a time when Pennsylvania was in dire straits," he said.

He said Corbett "stood there and said, 'I'm going to live by my promises. We are not going to raise taxes, we're going to run a clean government and I'm going to stand by my principles and there's going to be no shenanigans,' and he took a lot of heat about it, a lot of heat."

In addition, he said that Corbett "has not given in to some of the pressure his predecessors have given into" and "has kept his promise."

After an introduction by Max Gannon, who also commended Corbett, the governor spoke to those attending the picnic. Pickett estimated that approximately 250 showed up.

Corbett said was running because he started something that needs to be finished, which he said is "putting Pennsylvania in the right direction."

"Our future is very bright ahead of us, if we stay the course," he said.

Corbett spoke about the "Fresh Start" commercials of his opponent.

"A Fresh Start? If you look at all the people surrounding my opponent, it's back to the past with Ed Rendell, because that's where the campaign is being run out of, and that's exactly what is going to happen, higher taxes for everybody again, whereas we have been able to reduce and see that you keep more of your money, which I think is very important."

Corbett said that the polls were looking better, and told the crowd, "with your help, we're going to win." He asked the crowd if they were going to help them, and there was applause.

In addition, Corbett said he has enjoyed meeting veterans from World War II, and he acknowledged several and gave out thanks: Howard Kerr, Burt Williams, Carl Rehfeldt, "Doc" Thomas Shoemaker, John Davey, Newman Benson, Thomas Fairchild, Wayne Morrow, and Bill Pidcoe. He had letters of recognition in honor of the veterans.

Speaking to reporters, Corbett was asked about the issue of local landowners whose gas royalty checks have shrunk dramatically.

Corbett said, "it has to be resolved. I'm not happy with Chesapeake, I've made that known."

"I keep trying to encourage them to understand that they have, in my opinion, a corporate responsibility to do it and do it the right way."

According to an Associated Press article from earlier this year, Corbett wrote to Chesapeake Energy's president and CEO, stating, "Deduction of post-production costs, in a manner which seemingly few if any other operators in Pennsylvania utilize, has caused a significant erosion of the trust and goodwill the natural gas industry has established with Pennsylvania leaseholders and local communities."

He noted the matter is being addressed in the Legislature.

"They've got to get it to me," he said.

House Bill 1684, which is sponsored by Pickett and state Rep. Matt Baker, seeks to limit the ability of natural gas companies to charge post-production costs to landowners.

If passed, the bill would clarify that the deduction of post-production costs from unconventional wells may not cause royalty payments to drop below the 12.5 percent minimum set by the Guaranteed Minimum Royalty Act in 1979. The bill was tabled in June.

Corbett said he got a nick on the nose while using the Excalibur crossbow at the Wysox Township Park Access, due to holding the scope too close. He was given a band-aid, and was able to be light-hearted about it, when speaking to those gathered in Wysox.

"We get to take something home with us, a band-aid."

(Eric Hrin, "Gov. Corbett hits the road, river in Bradford County," Daily Review, 8/17/14)