Ruth Lavin, president of the State College Borough Council, may decide to run for Centre County commissioner.

Lavin said local legislators asked her to run because they are disappointed with the present commissioners' performance. The commissioners' managing of property values within the Centre Region upset some local officials.

"A lot of us in the Centre Region believe the commissioners have not kept property values current," said R. Thomas Berner, a Republican council member. "Property values ought to reflect the market and growth factors."

State College legislators also expressed displeasure with the current commissioners -- John Saylor, Vicki Bumbarger and Keith Bierly.

"I believe (Lavin) would understand the needs of the Centre Region a lot more than the current commissioners," said Mayor Arnold Addison. "The commissioners are not very responsive to our needs when it comes to returning tax dollars to the communities."

Berner said he believes county commissioners have not "contributed a proportional share of tax dollars to social services in the region."

Council member Bill Welch, a Democrat, said, "It's possible (that what is displeasing many people) is the perception that the Centre Region does not benefit from the county proportionate to what we give."

Addison praised Lavin's performance as borough president and said he believes she would make an excellent commissioner.

"I've never known a president of council who did more work than she does," Addison said.

But Lavin said she may remain as borough president.

"There are those who would prefer me to stay because they believe I've done a good job where I am," Lavin said. "I'll have to see where the people want me."

The costs of running for county commissioner -- $35,000 to $40,000 -- worry Lavin.

"I love to campaign, but I'm not sure campaigning across 72 miles is going to be easy," Lavin said. "I'm not sure if I have enough people who are willing to do the nitty-gritty work that needs to be done in a campaign."

Lavin would not discuss county campaign issues until she decides to run.