Cambria commissioners switch insurance broker [The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.]

May 25--EBENSBURG -- Cambria County's two Republican commissioners voted Thursday to switch insurance brokers to a Johnstown agency whose leaders have been involved with GOP politics for years.

President Commissioner Douglas Lengenfelder and Mark Wissinger named Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services as the county's broker instead of continuing with the Ebensburg Insurance Agency and its head, Carl "Buddy" DeYulis.

In January 2011, Gallagher bought out Gleason Insurance and Gleason Financial, but <person>Robert A. Gleason Jr. and his brother, Christopher, continued to BE associated there.

Both brothers have long been active in the county and state Republican parties, and Robert is serving as state GOP chairman. Ann Wilson, the county Republican chairwoman, also is employed there.

In past years, the county insurance broker often has changed when the party in control of the commissioners changed. DeYulis tended to be retained when the Democrats were in control, and the former Gleason Agency when the Republicans were in control.

Commissioner Thomas Chernisky, the Democratic minority commissioner, cast a "no" vote on retaining Gallagher Risk Management. He said that DeYulis had been doing a good job for at least eight years.

The change will not result in any increased costs to the county and may result in cost savings as the county's insurance policies and coverages are reviewed, Lengenfelder said.

The change was made with the first insurance policy to come up for renewal since the three commissioners took office in January, Lengenfelder said.

The commissioners renewed for one year only the liability and property insurance coverage with the Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool.

PCorp, which was set up through the State Association of County Commissioners, has a large number of counties participating in the risk pool.

Cambria's new premium is $551,142, with the local broker being paid 7 percent, it was reported.

The premium has been declining, according to county figures. The premium was $668,974 for 2010-2011 and dropped to $584,261 for 2011-2012.

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