by justin strawser
PAXINOS - The demonstration during Gov. Tom Corbett's visit to Indian Hill Golf and Tennis Club Friday evening was praised by the president of the organization.
"Everybody was well behaved, well organized and there was no damage to our private property," Paul Healey said Tuesday.
Corbett was attending an invitation-only, $1,000 per couple fundraiser for state Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107) eight days after Shamokin Area School Board was forced to cut 21 teachers and staff starting next year as a result of the a multimillion-dollar deficit. When news spread that Corbett was going to be in the area, more than 150 teachers, parents, school board members, students and supporters quickly organized the rally outside the venue to protest what they say are funding changes by Corbett that are harming public schools.
Healey wanted it known the organized protest was handled professionally, and there was only one incident: an argument between a club board member and Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi.
The commissioner, who was standing at the entrance to the parking lot, was told to leave the private country club property and return to the opposite side of the street to stand with the other protesters. Clausi initially refused, and the two men traded heated words.
"Everyone respected staying on their side of the road but one person. He was trying to incite the crowd," Healey said.
No additional security was brought in except for the governor's own security force. State police at Stonington had additional troopers patrolling that area, but it wasn't necessary, said Healey.
"If we needed them there, they would have been there fast," he said.
He praised the governor for the visit, too.
"It was fantastic. Any time someone like that comes to the area, it helps," he said. "And he wasn't upset at all (by the demonstrators)."