DVE-News/TV crew visits the Pike County Commissioners office

DVE-News/TV reporters were excited to be invited by Shannon Rewoldt to the Pike County Commissioners Office to interview Chairman Matt Osterberg, Vice Chairman Ronald Schmalzle, and Commissioner Christa L. Caceres. They were greeted by the entire office. They were led to their meeting office and were told that they would be included in the Commissioners’ monthly meeting.

The reporters were given folders with pictures of Pike County’s history and challenge coins. The meeting ran smoothly and they got to see our commissioners at work.

After the meeting, they began their interview. They learned many things from all three commissioners. Osterberg wanted to be a commissioner so he could give back to the community who gave him so much. Before he was a commissioner, he was in the Milford Borough Council. Then he ran for the commissioner’s office in 2011. He’s been running and winning ever since. This is his fourth term. When asked what his expectations were about being a commissioner versus the reality of being one, he said that you truly don’t realize and understand all the departments the commissioners are in charge of. As a commissioner, they have fiscal responsibility to the county and oversee many departments and personnel. They improve the quality of life for the people of Pike County.

All three commissioners agreed that the best thing about being a commissioner is the ability to help the people of Pike County. The most difficult thing about being a commissioner is when taxes need to be increased. Providing a budget is very challenging. When asked about why the commissioners keep running, they agreed that they worked well together. Caceres had a wish list regarding what can be done more efficiently locally. she would love it if her building had more solar panels to save electricity. A reporter had asked how much money had been made for Pike County. It was explained that it isn’t about making money for the county, but more about managing services for Pike County.

Osterberg has been a commissioner since 2011, Schmalzle since 2018 and Caceres since 2023. They all love to drink coffee! Pike County’s biggest challenge currently is expanding medical services to residents for a better quality of life. The hardest decision they have is working on the budget and if they need to raise taxes. The reporters asked how the three commissioners handle opposing views on different subjects. They meet daily to discuss all the programs. They sometimes debate but come up with a consensus. They are all looking towards the same goal, so the only part that has different views is how to get to the same end goal. They usually work six hours daily. They also go down to Harrisburg for meetings and have meetings at night or at other buildings. When asked how they work with the prison board, they meet with the sheriff, district attorney, the director of the prison board, and their solicitor.

There are 17 bridges in Pike County that the Commissioners Office oversees and maintains. They said they are very expensive to maintain and repair. When asked if it is hard to make decisions on what to do in Pike County, they said it requires a lot of time and thought. They analyze people’s monies together. It could take months to work on one problem. Sometimes emergencies come up and they need to work quickly. The job isn’t exactly stressful, and it can create a bit of anxiety at times, but it is still rewarding. The commissioners explained the difference between revenue and expenditure. Revenue (monies coming in) can come from tax dollars, or from state or federal government programs. Expenditures are what it costs to run programs (monies going out). Revenue and expenditures need to match.

The commissioners say that they are most proud of their families. Osterberg enjoys clay class, reading, walking, and golf. Schmalzle enjoys skiing with family, playing golf, and music. Caceres enjoys watching “Columbo,” singing, dancing, and supporting her child in baseball.

The reporters then got a tour of the entire building. They enjoyed their time in the Commissioner’s Office. A big thank you to Shannon Rewoldt, Matthew Osterberg, Ronald Schmalzle and Christa Caceres for their time.