Joel Long announces bid to become Lock Haven Mayor

Joel Long has announced he is running for the office of Mayor in the City of Lock Haven.

He is married to the former Mitzi Gallagher and has four children, Christopher, 19; Kelly 16; Sarah 9; and step-son Wyatt Gallagher, 12. He plays in the bands SNUG and Boomboxx.

Joel first entered the political arena as a Lock Haven City Councilman in 1998, serving 10 years on council and 8 years as County Commissioner. He returned to City Council in January of 2018 and was elected Vice President of Council for 2019.

During his years of public service, he has worked on such projects as the downtown streetscapes, which includes new sidewalks, lighting and store façade signage, effectively helping to revitalize the downtown. Long has served as 1st Vice President of SEDA COG, Chairman of the Susque-View Board and VOCA (Voices of Crime Act) funding board. He actively participated on several other boards and committees such as Downtown Lock Haven, the Ross Library Board, STEP, Aging Advisory Board, Advocates for a Drug Free Tomorrow, Western Clinton County Recreation Authority, Revolving Loan Board, Clinton County Sewer Authority, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Tourism Infrastructure Committee and the Summer Concert Series Committee.

Long has spearheaded many projects including bringing the first cellular service to Western Clinton County and a regional study on expanding natural gas usage.

Joel has spent countless hours doing volunteer work including helping to successfully run a campaign to construct the Tiger Den playground After being closed to the public for several years, Long successfully negotiated with Keystone Central School District administration to reopen the park to public in the spring of 2019.

Joel helped to create a non-profit organization to save youth basketball in the area when the School District cut the program for budgetary reasons. Long not only serves as Treasurer for the organization, he also coaches.

Long has a long track record of service for the youth of the area having served three terms as President of Lock Haven/Flemington Little League and currently serving as Vice President. He’s secured grant funding to build new and improve facilities with new score boards enhancing the experience for the youth of the area.

He is a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a Third Degree Knight of Columbus.

Follow his campaign on Joel Long for Mayor of Lock Haven Facebook page.

Note: The Clinton County Democratic Committee does not endorse candidates, but makes every effort to help evenhandedly publicize individuals seeking the Democratic nomination or running on the Democratic ticket. We embrace the will of the people following the Primary Election and wholeheartedly support the nominees selected in the election process.