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Residents tell Franklin County commissioners they fear Social Security cuts, cite dangerous roadside drop-off and urge sheriff funding
Summary
During public comment, residents raised fears about Social Security rumors, asked the county to support sheriff operations funding and described a dangerous drop-off on a state route near Fayetteville; commissioners noted the Social Security issue is a federal matter and no action was taken.
Several residents used the meeting’s public-comment period to raise separate concerns about Social Security, county and state infrastructure and sheriffs’ funding.
Kim Wirtz of Chambersburg opened public comment by saying she had heard reports suggesting Social Security benefits would be lost and described fear about her financial future. “I am scared. I’m petrified. And I don’t know how I’m gonna live,” Wirtz said during her allotted time. A commissioner responded that the topic was national in scope and beyond the county’s authority.
Valerie Jordan of Fayetteville reiterated concern about the flow of federal grants through state and county channels and said those grants support many jobs that help the local economy. Jordan also raised a road safety concern on a state route near Fayetteville, describing a “dangerous drop off” by the railroad that she said has been repaired unsuccessfully twice and warned could seriously injure a motorist or pedestrian. She offered to provide photos to county staff and suggested contacting state officials (she named Rob Kaufman and Senator Doug Mastriano as possible contacts).
Jordan also praised a recent Franklin County Sheriff’s Department operation. She quoted Sheriff Benjamin H. Sites: “If you're a fugitive in Franklin County, know this. We will find you,” and asked that the operations portion of the sheriff’s budget “truly reflect” the tax dollars she said support that work. Jordan asked commissioners to allow funding to the sheriff’s department “to the fullest extent possible” for public safety reasons.
The commissioners did not take formal action on the items raised during public comment. The meeting proceeded to routine business; the chair reminded speakers that public comment is limited to five minutes and that some topics—such as Social Security—are governed at the federal level.
No follow-up motions or staff directives were recorded in the transcript for these public comments.
