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Krankota approved as head of county Veterans' Services

Meadville Tribune (PA) - 12/20/2014

Dec. 20--Crawford County commissioners have named a retired Conneaut School District teacher who is a military veteran as the county's director of Veterans' Services.

At their meeting Thursday, commissioners unanimously appointed Richard Krankota, 60, of Conneaut Lake to the post effective Jan. 12, succeeding Fred Cunningham, who is retiring as director.

But as condition of his employment, Krankota must be certified to file claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, according to Mark Lessig, county administrator. Currently, Cunningham holds the VA certification and will sign off claims submitted until Krankota takes a certification class in June, Lessig said.

Krankota's salary was unanimously set by the Crawford County Salary Board at $19.10 per hour, or $39,728 annually, until he completes VA certification. After certification, Krankota's salary will rise to $20.54 per hour, or $42,723 annually.

The Crawford County Salary Board is comprised of the three county commissioners -- Francis Weiderspahn Jr., Jack Lynch and C. Sherman Allen; and county treasurer Christine Krzysiak.

The $2,995 difference in Krankota's pay will be used to pay Cunningham for signing off on VA claims until Krankota is certified, Lessig said.

Krankota recently retired with the rank of colonel with U.S. Army Reserve. He had almost 33 years of total military service through U.S. Marines, Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve as well as active duty with the U.S. Army.

Krankota was a health and physical education teacher in Conneaut School District from 1981 until his retirement in 2012.

Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.

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