SUNBURY - Northumberland County Controller Tony Phillips has filed the appropriate paperwork to seek re-election.
He was appointed in 2011 after the resignation of longtime County Controller Chuck Erdman. In November 2011, he was elected to fulfill the remainder of Erdman's term.
He is a graduate of the Line Mountain School District and Bloomsburg University, and has experience in both the private and public sector, including serving as deputy controller under Erdman from 2008 to 2011.
Upon taking office, he informed the taxpayers that the county was financially unstable. This proved to be true as the county finished 2011 with a near $3 million operating loss.
In 2012, Phillips began working with the newly elected board of commissioners, providing them with timely financial information and offering opinions when warranted. He used his vote on salary board to cut positions, some of which were held by members of his own party and in his own office.
Phillips managed to cut almost $40,000 in gross wages from the controller's office since taking office.
These actions along with a lot of hard work from the board of commissioners and county employees created a financially stable 2012, he said.
"I believe that we have stopped the bleeding but we still have a way to go," Phillips said, specifically referencing the more than $1.8 million dollar fund deficit.
Phillips said, "The only way we will continue to move this county forward is to work together."
He feels partisan politics is a detriment to effective government. "I always try to treat everyone with respect and keep an open mind even if I disagree and then do my best to make a good decision for the taxpayers of the county."
He has staffed his office equally between Republican and Democrats, choosing staff by their individual abilities and not by their voter registration card.
He is married to Erin (Moyer) Phillips, who is a teacher in the Shikellamy School District. They live together in Upper Augusta Township with their daughter, Emily.
Follow Phillips on Facebook at Tony Phillips for Northumberland County Controller or on Twitter at @tonyworking4u.