George Pokrant, a six-year veteran of Grove City Borough Council, has announced his intent to run for Mercer County Commissioner.

Pokrant, a Regional Behavioral Health Administrator for Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC Presbyterian, is a Republican.

"My familiarity with local government and knowledge of multi-million dollar budget management puts me in position to run for county commissioner," Pokrant said. "My experience in health care management and administration has afforded me that expertise. This coupled with my education, in nursing and my MBA put together a sound package for leadership in county government.

"I feel the county needs strong leadership, financial management and sound economic growth both now and in the future so other families can come into Mercer County and prosper as I have."

Pokrant graduated from Grove City High School in 1983. He received his nursing diploma from the Sharon Regional School of Nursing in 1988 and a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Penn State University in 1997. He earned a master's degree in business administration from Youngstown State University in 2001.

Pokrant, who was re-elected to council in 2001, serves as vice president.

"Grove City is a borough of 8,000 people that has similar concerns as others in the county," he said. "I have dealt with the trials and tribulations of getting the budget balanced and having services rendered."

Pokrant is vice chairman of Grove City Revitalization Inc. and is a 2001 graduate of Leadership Shenango.

Pokrant is a registered nurse and certified as a psychiatric mental health nurse and in principles of group psychotherapy from the American Group Psychotherapy Association.

Prior to accepting his current position as Regional Behavioral Health Administrator,

Pokrant was previously project manager and administrator for Behavioral Health Services, director of Patient Care Support Services, director of Inpatient Behavioral Health Services and patient care manager for Behavioral Health Services at Sharon Regional Health System.

Pokrant and his wife Terry have four children: Taylor, 10; Jessie, 7; Rockwell, 4; and Spencer, 16 months.

If elected, Pokrant said he wants to take the county's burdens off the backs of taxpayers.

"I want to review the budget with each department head or manager to get an understanding how and why we do business the way we do it, and then look at better ways to do it. I want to pull things together in the best possible way, to see what we can do better, to save money, and be fiscally sound," he said.

"I also want to take a look at the ways we can attract businesses into the area to offset or complement current county functions."