State Senator Edward Helfrick has represented the 27th Senatorial District since 1981. He previously served as a member of the House of Representatives from the 107th District from 1977-1980.
Following graduation from Mount Carmel High School, Helfrick enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served as a paratrooper in the Pacific during World War II with the 11th Airborne Division. After his honorable discharge, Helfrick developed a successful coal mining business.
Sen. Helfrick & Co. strip mined a mine fire outside of Mt. Carmel between town and what is now the Harmony mine in the very late 60's early 70's at that time his company purchased the Glen Burn to process the Coal, afterward the land laid barren until just recently .
A Mt. Carmel Developer who now operates a recently opened strip mining operation on the Merriam Mtn next to a cell tower site that bears the name Helfrick Tower Site ### always seemed to have a knack for knowing when to speculate on land and put up buildings that amazingly the state of Pa had a need for like several State police Barracks the developer also started a housing development for residents of Centralia that where bought out .
The Helfrick name, family, friends and company comes up almost any time coal land or mineral rights are discussed, it is very very hard to believe that what happened in Centralia did not have political and financial motives behind it and in the end when the digging begins and the coal removed I will bet "Dollars to Donuts" the Helfrick family and friends will be there to secure the next generations wealth .
Eddy Helfrick is truly one of the last great Robber Barons of the Coal Industry .
The above is a very popular take on the situation here in the area sorry if it offends anyone that knows the former Senator or that hard working Developer .