WWII vet, local lawmaker to retire after 19 terms

Following 38 years of public service and countless commutes from Clearfield County to the state capitol, Rep. Camille “Bud” George said he’ll retire at the end of the year.

The 84-year-old, who happens to be the last remaining World War II-era veteran serving in the State House of Representatives, told 6News that he has a lot to accomplish in his final 11 months.

 "I'm going to keep on doing what I have to do and what I believe is best,” said George. "I've had 38 challenging but gratifying years (in Harrisburg). Maybe it's about time that I spend a little time with that beautiful gal that had to put up with all of my nonsense for 59 years."

George and his wife, Edna Mae, still live in the same home that he built with his father and son in Houtzdale, where he was recently surprised with another public service position.

“They wrote me in for mayor in November for Houtzdale,” said George. "I guess maybe God has been good to me because I've been a different kind of legislator. I've been with the people, and I feel I belong to the people."

As representative of the 74^th district, George has fought to bring hundreds of jobs to Clearfield County, with support and funding for the Houtzdale Correctional Institution, the Walmart distribution center near the Woodland exit for Interstate 80, as well as the Bionol Ethanol plant in Clearfield, which has been empty and on hot idle since last summer.

The long-time Democratic chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has been a vocal advocate for the protection of water and air during Marcellus Shale natural gas production, long before an EOG well blew out in the Moshannon State Forest in June 2010, spewing raw natural gas and contaminated water from the hydrofracturing process into the air for 17 hours.

"I don't want to hurt the Marcellus Shale. I'm doing everything I can to help, but I don't want them to hurt my area or my people,” said George. "Without water, you can't build a community. You can't bring in any business, you can't do anything."

George told 6News that his office plans on holding the annual “Bud” George Day Community Picnic at Janesville dam this summer.