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Inmate who owns Youngsville property running for district magistrate

A Centre County man who owns blighted property in Youngsville and tried unsuccessfully to run for district magistrate in Warren County in 2011 and State College in 2013 is trying again in Centre County.

The difference this time? He is currently an inmate in the Centre County Correctional Facility.

Hobson McKown told the Centre Daily Times in a story published recently that he “expect(s) to seek nomination” for district judge in Ferguson Township.

“I would be a candidate of no affiliation… which I believe is what we want from our judges,” he told the Centre Daily Times. “I have attended and investigated the certification course in Harrisburg. I have taken a trip to jail to know what 90 days really is to a life.”

The paper reported that he is being held in prison in lieu of $10,000 bail in advance of a March 1 trial on defiant trespass and disorderly conduct charges.

McKown’s property at 16 W. Main St. in Youngsville Borough was before the Warren County Development Authority earlier this week for an appeal hearing regarding a blight designation.

His appeal alleges that he was not properly notified of the blight proceedings, that a required blighted analysis report was not filed and alleged that a determination of blight could not be certified without the report being provided.

McKown alleges in his appeal that Youngsville Borough would need to pass a new resolution and start the whole process over, alleging that the borough failed to abide by its own ordinance.

“Each successive step of the blight process cannot occur without compliance at the prior stage,” his appeal alleges.

“I get the feeling you just want to nit pick the problems,” Authority member Dutch Strand told John McKown, Hobson’s father, who represented him at the hearing.

“It still meets the criteria,” Authority member Chuck Barone said. “It’s still considered blight. I don’t think the items are too difficult to correct.”

The Authority then unanimously agreed that the property is still considered blight.

McKown attempted to run for district justice in Warren County in 2011 for the seat currently filled by District Justice Glenn Carlson.

That office is up for election in this year’s cycle.

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