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Westmoreland County Recognized by Local Government Academy
Posted 8-21-07
Westmoreland County was honored as the Outstanding Advocate for
Good Government at the Local Government Academy 2007 Recognition
Luncheon on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at the Engineers Society
of Western Pennsylvania. This annual event recognizes the Local
Government Academy's donors, volunteers, instructors and the
achievements of its current group of Municipal Interns.
The Outstanding Advocate for Good Government is
an annual award that pays tribute to those whose exceptional
leadership has contributed to excellence in local government.
Westmoreland County Commissioner Tom Ceraso accepted the award
on behalf of fellow Commissioners Tom Balya and Phil Light.
Susan Hockenberry, Executive Director of the Local Government
Academy, thanked Westmoreland for their continued support,
"Westmoreland County officials and staff are capable and
trustworthy stewards of LGA's mission and values".
The Local Government Academy recognized
Westmoreland County for their support of the Newly Elected
Officials Course Westmoreland Satellite, which has been hosted
by the County and the Smart Growth Partnership at the University
of Pittsburgh at Greensburg after each municipal election since
2003. The county has helped by "assisting in curriculum
development, participating as speakers, and generating local
interest," noted Hockenberry.
Westmoreland County also supported the Municipal
Intern Program this year. The County sponsored two internships
enabling local municipalities to receive assistance from a
graduate level intern allowing them to complete needed municipal
projects. Greensburg resident Rob Zahorchek completed his
internship in Murrysville conducting a citizen survey and
analysis of municipal growth. Zahorcheck is a graduate student
at the University of Pittsburgh. The internship was supervised
by John Barrett, Murrysville Chief Administrator.
Tara Minik, a resident of Vandergrift, completed
her internship in North Huntingdon Township under the
supervision of Township Manager Kelly Wolfe. Minik's project
involved updating the Township Code Book and other
administrative duties. Minik is a graduate student at the
Indiana University of Pennsylvania. These communities, interns
and supervisors were commended at the Recognition Luncheon.
Stephen Bland, Chief Executive Officer of the
Port Authority, served as luncheon keynote speaker discussing
leading in the public sector and getting transit to thrive.
Local Government Academy (LGA) is a collaborative effort of
business, government, academic and civic leaders promoting
excellence in government. As a nonprofit organization
specializing in programs for municipal elected officials and
employees promoting economic development and revitalization,
environmental quality and intergovernmental cooperation, Local
Government Academy has been in existence for 24 years and serves
the 10-county region of Southwestern Pennsylvania. |
