Dean Edwards, Jr.

LOCK HAVEN — Pine Creek Township Supervisor Dean Edwards, Jr., has announced he will seek the Republican nomination for re-election in the May 2025 primary election.

Appointed to fill the unexpired term of the late Tom Wilt, Edwards began his duties as a Pine Creek Supervisor in January 2022. In January 2023, Edwards was named Chairman of the Pine Creek Board of Supervisors.

As part of his Pine Creek Supervisor responsibilities, Edwards works actively with engineers, inspectors, county planning and DEP Conservation District officials. He is skilled at infrastructure work, to include road construction, road maintenance and working with sewer and water authorities.

“I am seeking re-election to continue to use my leadership, management skills and work experience to serve the citizens of Pine Creek Township I and II. I will continue to ensure that their concerns are heard, openly addressed and resolved. I am dedicated and responsible, have a strong work ethic and will continue to work to the best of my ability to fairly and honestly conduct all township business.

“I am proud of my accomplishments to-date as a supervisor that have provided improved services for the citizens of Pine Creek Township,” said Edwards.

Since joining the Pine Creek Board of Supervisors, Edwards has worked diligently with his fellow supervisors to make improvements to buildings, parks, township finances and created a new website and Facebook page so township residents can easily find information about township meetings and events and obtain contact phone numbers and email addresses for the supervisors, township secretary and other offices.

An active supervisor, Edwards was instrumental in overseeing the installation of a security system, keypad entrance doors and new LED energy efficient ceiling lights at the township building. He donated his services to install trenches and connections for the installation of generators in the township building, which serves as an evacuation area for Avis Elementary School and Avis residents, and at the police station for emergency preparedness.

When he first came on the board of supervisors, Edwards advised his fellow supervisors to invest some funds in two accounts for income and emergencies and obtained an increase in the interest rate from 1% to 5%.

To reduce costs, Edwards worked with the board of supervisors to identify equipment that was no longer used or needed and sold that equipment. Proceeds from the equipment sales were used to purchase a new mini excavator which generates additional income from rentals to other townships. A balance of $20,000 from the equipment sales was deposited to the township bank account.

Edwards noted that major park revitalization efforts are underway since the Clinton County Commissioners granted ownership of Woolrich Park to the Pine Creek Township Supervisors.

He designed and used his own equipment to rough in a walking path and then fellow supervisor John Reese and his crew placed the stone. Edwards worked with Paul Albert Eng, who donated his time, to remodel the park bathrooms which had been closed for over 20 years. The four bathrooms are now open for use with changing tables to be installed in coming weeks. Edwards promoted the formation of a Recreation Committee to plan and run community events and is pleased with community response to well-attended, successful events held in Woolrich Park.

The supervisors next scheduled recreation improvement project is to make repairs to the South Avis ball field. Edwards said that township employees built new steps and installed railings last year. Pine Mountain Excavating donated labor and materials to install new siding on the announcer box. This year Edwards and his company donated equipment to redo the baseline and remove high spots, and township employees rolled the ball field to prepare it for the 2025 ball game season.

In 2025, four pickleball courts will be installed in Woolrich Park and two bridges will be placed on the trail using donated materials, according to Edwards.

Concerned about traffic safety, Edwards and Police Chief Winkleman sought funds to help purchase a $17,000 speed limit sign board. The police department received a $7,000 donation, Edwards approached the County Commissioners who provided $7,000, and the township provided $3,000 for the sign board, which is now in constant use to remind drivers to slow down.

Edwards owns and operates Pine Mountain Excavating which he started more than 20 years ago.

Through his business, Edwards says he has learned many skills to include working efficiently as part of a team to get things done correctly and on time; communicating effectively and maintaining goodwill with co-workers, employees and clients; implementing good financial practices and fiscal responsibility.

Born and raised in Jersey Shore, Edwards is a 1986 graduate of Jersey Shore High School. He is the son of Dean and Linda Edwards, who live in Piatt Township, Lycoming County, and has one brother and two sisters.

A life-long resident of Clinton County, Edwards and his wife Tina live in Whispering Pines. They have been married for 30 years.