Young gets nod for both portions of Whitmore's supervisor term
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Fred Young III reads the oath of office as he is sworn in as Antrim Township supervisor. He is flanked by his peers, Scott Diffenderfer, Sam Miller and Curtis Myers. Not pictured, James Byers.

The die has been cast and a vacancy no longer exists on the Antrim Township Board of Supervisors.

A four month- and a two year-term were up for grabs due to the timing of Robert Whitmore's resignation, effective Aug. 31. Supervisors had 30 days to fill the vacancy, but since it occurred more than 60 days before a general election, the bulk of it had to be turned over to the voters. And the candidates¿ names for the ballot fell to the county's political parties.

Six people applied for the temporary seat and five for the elected balance of the term.

In a unanimous vote after a one-minute discussion on Sept. 11, the Antrim Township Board chose Fred Young III, 569 Lynn Drive, for the empty supervisory spot. That appointment runs until Jan. 1, 2008.

The board considered letters of interest from Republicans Young, Rodney Eberly, Robert Schemmerling, Larry Eberly and Dwight Thrush, and Democrat John Alleman. Earlier in the evening, Young asked the board to keep him in mind even though his application missed the Sept. 7 noon deadline by several hours due to a medical situation.

The seated supervisors expressed a little discomfort selecting their peer in a public forum, with four candidates in the audience.

"We have to keep this in perspective," said acting chair James Byers. "This is just until the end of the year."

When asked to speak briefly, Larry Eberly said he wanted to give service to the community, Alleman that it was time for him to try a new venture, Young that he wanted to represent the taxpayers and Rodney Eberly said,

The motto is 'Building Help and Hope One House at a Time.'

"I'm here to help others and serve God," said Caleb Hostetler, 14, Orrtana.

Some youth return year after year.

Alex Yoder, 14, Greencastle, is part of that trend. "I'm counting it as community service, but I would have done it anyway. I did it last year."

Eighteen crews tended to 36 projects, including two in Greencastle. The 120 teens and 60 adults involved in the program this year represented approximately 20 churches, according to Ken Haines, Greencastle, president of The Chambersburg Project.

He's been part of the group since its early days. An electrician by trade, he found his niche for serving.

"It's one of the gifted areas of life. It's where I fit in and what I can do," he said. "I don't get out and preach and teach, but I can do this."

The board of directors meets monthly to plan for the summer and make improvements to the program. They always welcome new members.

Haines said the adults cover many responsibilities. While some serve on the planning crew, others are busy during the service week. They work in the kitchen of the overnight accommodation site, deliver materials, drive the youth to the work places and chaperone. Others solicit donations from businesses, which are important to the success of the program.

The teens work by day and sleep by night at school, this year the Chambersburg Area Middle School.

The local crew was excited that the Australian Christian band Alabaster Box had performed for them during an evening concert. And the band, on its website, commented on the show. Keyboarder Josh wrote, "Lots of miles under the belt already this tour. Last night we finished up in Pennsylvania at the charming town of Chambersburg."

The week is a growing experience, both spiritually and skillwise. Said Longnecker, "As leaders, we don't always know everything, but we can improvise. For instance, I've never pruned bushes before this week."