Auditor General Jack Wagner talks of government’s need to listen

Indiana – In the sunny and stately ballroom of the Indiana Country Club, local businessmen and women gather, greeting each other with friendly handshakes and occasionally an accompanying pat on the shoulder. While the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 97^th Annual Meeting is supposed to commence sharply at noon, the din of hundreds of business associates, neighbors and friends chatting warmly doesn’t die down until a half-hour later.

Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner addresses the membership of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Many of the people at this meeting have roots in the community dating back to the first meeting of the chamber, which occurred almost a century ago. Those historical ties bind the local business community together, keeping it strong and united, according to Chamber President Dana Henry.

“I would credit a strong Indiana County business community as well as continued Chamber Boards of Directors with visions for the future, but as important, r

espect for the past,” Henry said. “Indiana County is a tight-knit community from a business perspective.  We all pull together.  It’s hard to believe that in just three years it will be the 100^th Annual Indiana County Chamber of Commerce Membership luncheon meeting.”

The chamber also has a history of attracting big-name keynote speakers to its annual meeting. This year was no different, as 2010 gubernatorial candidate and current Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner delivered an address to the 350 members in attendance. Wagner, a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, spoke on his strong ties to the area and his admiration of the community of Indiana.

“Indiana is blessed in many ways, and all of you should be proud of that,” Wagner said. “You are people who are very creative, people who take risk from a business perspective and really provide the jobs for the people of this county and region. I commend you.”

Wagner, who served as a Pittsburgh city councilor, a state senator and as auditor general, an elected fiscal watchdog for the commonwealth, told the audience state elected officials needed to be better listeners to understand the needs of the business community, which is fighting to shake off the effects of the global economic downturn.

“That’s what I’ve tried to do as your auditor general,” he said.

Wagner also discussed the potential benefits of the Marcellus Shale gas play, his hope to increase the number of scholarships provided to students to attend college, and his intention to turn the Pennsylvania Turnpike into a multiple fuel highway.

S&T Insurance Group CEO Tom Kiral spoke of the pride the chamber has in the region's businesses.

Tom Kiral, CEO of S&T Insurance Group LLC and chairman of the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce, spoke of the pride the chamber has in the region’s businesses for working together to mitigate the effects of the recession.

“We can all say with pride that the chamber and all of our partners throughout the county and region are pulling in the same direction, with one voice and the common goal of growing the economic environment in Indiana County, that continues to foster the growth and development of businesses that provide good, family sustaining jobs,” he said. “We need to recognize that the challenges will never go away. But neither will this chamber, our partners, and this county’s commitment and efforts to overcome whatever challenge we face. That’s what those before us have done, and it’s our duty and responsibility to continue the effort. That’s what makes Indiana County what it is today: a collective commitment to always do better.”

He ended the afternoon’s function with a quote from Henry Ford. “‘Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right’,” he quoted. “Needless to say, Indiana County has and always will think ‘we can.’”