Corbett Administration Recognizes Borough of Lewistown and State College Official for Dedication, Innovative Management

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lt. Governor Jim Cawley, on behalf of Governor Tom Corbett, today recognized the Borough of Lewistown and a State College-area official for using innovative approaches to strengthen their communities and better serve their residents.

"As local government officials you hear firsthand the issues of your constituents and it is your responsibility to provide solutions that make your community a vibrant place to live, work and raise a family," Cawley said at the 15^th annual Governor's Awards for Local Government Excellence. "This celebration is a testament to your hard work and an acknowledgement that your concern for your community and your dedication has not been overlooked."

The Borough of Lewistown, in Mifflin County, was recognized in the category of "building community partnerships" for coordinating the work of eight public and private partners to reconstruct the rail line on one of Lewistown's busiest streets, Water Street.  

The Water Street project resulted in a total reconstruction of the rail line, improving the safety and ease of traffic and pedestrians.  It was implemented by the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority; the Borough of Lewistown; the Juniata Valley Railroad; the Municipal Authority of Lewistown; Penn DOT's Bureau of Rail Freight; Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation; Janotti Rail Consulting; and W.E. Yoder, Inc.  

In Centre County, David Allison was recognized for his dedicated service as the executive director of the University Area Joint Authority, the municipal authority that provides wastewater treatment and water recycling services to the State College region.  During his 27-year tenure at the authority, Mr. Allison oversaw numerous system upgrades as well as the absorption of two authorities into the University Area Joint Authority. He also served as the president of the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association from 1982 to 1983.  Mr. Allison was also a trustee and chairman of the PMAA Unemployment Compensation Trust from 1983 until retiring from the trust at the end of 2010.

The recognitions were part of the 15^th annual Governor's Awards for Local Government Excellence.   In total, eight local government leaders and 10 communities across the state received awards that were presented today at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.  

The Governor's Awards for Local Government Excellence are presented annually to communities and individuals by the Governor's Center for Local Government Services, an office within the Department of Community and Economic Development that works to assist Pennsylvania's 2,562 local governments.

A panel of judges from the Governor's Center for Local Government Services reviewed applications submitted by municipal organizations from throughout the state and selected the award recipients.

The community awards cover ten categories, including: building community partnerships; promoting community and economic revitalization; innovative community and governmental initiatives; fiscal accountability; innovative planning and sound land-use practices; intergovernmental cooperation; responding to adversity; innovative energy conservation; and innovative environmental partnerships.  The individual awards are presented to local government officials who have worked to improve their communities.

For more information on the Governor's Center for Local Government Services visit www.newpa.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

For a full list of Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence winners and a further description, visit www.newpa.com/lgawards.

Media contact: Jamie Yates, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development