Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Altoona City Comtroller James Carothers announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for the post of Blair County Treasurer on Saturday.
“Blair County faces enormous challenges and opportunities,” said Carothers in his announcement at the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum. “As big goverment far from Blair Countians’ cares and concerns continues to mandate increased service without offering adequate funding for those directives, county government — the branch that is much closer to all of us — must double and redouble its efforts to squeeze every ounce of efficency from all of those hard earned dllars that each of us pays in taxes. A Blair County treasurer with the highest financial management skills, who is willing to work with officials from all levels of government, can be part of an on-going effort to extract maximun benefit from each tax dollar.”
Carothers is running on his qualifications.
“As the most qualified person ever willing to undertake this job, I am ready to use all of my skills, talents, and abilities to do everything I can to make sure that the maximum value is delivered to every Blair County resident. I’m eager to join an already excellent team of elected officials to work hard for the citizens of Blair County, taking what ever time is needed to do the job — and do it well.”
Carothers is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Management Accountant and an attorney. He is currently serving his second term as Altoona City Controller. In that post, he is a member of the pension boards for Fire and Non-uniformed employees.
He is a graduate of Altoona Area High School, the Pennsylvania State University and Dickinson School of Law. Before going into practice with Jubelirer, Carothers, Krier and Halpern in 1994, he served as a staff accountant with Young, Oakes, Brown and Co. and prior to that was a controller for Reliance Savings Bank.
“I offer a fresh, highly-trained view of government,” said Carothers. “I will be able to consult with any county official in order to provide taxpayers with the highest level of cost-effectiveness and efficency. I promise fair, impartial administration of the office and a continuation of quality service for every Blair Countian who must do business witht he treasurer, regardless of any party or other affiliation.”

By Rick