Mayor experiences growth of a 'small-town,' learns lessons

State College Mayor Bill Welch has seen first-hand the development of the changing State College Borough -- from the lessening of the "small-town feel" to the addition of jobs in the area.

"The energy and activity, and the diversity of things to do here is just amazing," he said.

Welch said twice-yearly, formal town-gown meetings, where views are shared between the University and the local government, best show the level of their relations.

"One of the things we try to do is keep talking," he said. "One thing that's been on my agenda is civility at public discourse. I'm a great believer in rational discourse. I take a problem-solving approach to looking at matters."

What comes out of the meetings are ideas such as the development of a town center on Allen Street. Welch placed this project near the top of his agenda for his second term, which began last month.

Among other problems that Welch would like to tackle in his second term is alcohol abuse, which he said is the problem that most plagues the borough. He explained that an increase in education may be the solution.

"If you talk to (University President) Graham (Spanier) and the police chief (Tom King), you find that it's not just the students who are involved," he said. "You look at the root and it's abuse of alcohol. There has to be more visible penalties. The consequences of behavior have to be more apparent."

His feeling about the issues in the borough, as well as the impression a former State College mayor made on him, led Welch to run for mayor, after serving a term on State College Borough Council, he said.

"I thought I could do it, and I jumped at it," he said. "I think everybody should want to contribute and give something back. That's what motivated me to stick around. I view it not as a challenge but as a job to be done. And it's a lot of fun."

However, Welch's duties as mayor are not his only responsibilities. He is the editor of The American Philatelist, the journal of the American Philatelic Society. According to Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, philately is "the collection and study of postage and imprinted stamps."

Welch had previously worked at the Centre Daily Times following his 1964 graduation from the University.

When he's not engaged in mayor-related responsibilities or toiling away at the American Philatelist, Welch said he relishes reading history or watching Pittsburgh Steelers' games. But what he most enjoys is sharing company with his wife and three daughters, all of whom reside in the area, he said.

Although an elder statesman in State College, Welch said he expects not to ever depart from State College soil.

"When you're tired of London, you're tired of life," he said, quoting lexicographer Samuel Johnson. "I think the same thing could be said about Happy Valley. I have no desire to be anywhere else."