Corbett Administration Recognizes Six Greater Pittsburgh Area Municipalities and Officials for Dedication, Innovative Management

Officials, Municipalities in Allegheny, Washington, Lawrence and Beaver Counties receive awards

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lt. Governor Jim Cawley, on behalf of Governor Tom Corbett, today recognized three local government officials and three municipalities in the Greater Pittsburgh area for their commitment to their communities and for using innovative approaches to municipal service delivery that resulted in cost savings and service efficiencies.

"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," Lt. Governor Cawley said at the 15th 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 following municipalities in the Greater Pittsburgh area were recognized today:

• Mount Lebanon Township, in Allegheny County, was recognized in the category of "innovative community and governmental initiatives" for the Mount Lebanon Fire Department's integration and use of a new information technology system that has improved service delivery, increased safety of fire personnel and enhanced fire service to the residents of the township.
• Donegal Township, in Washington County, was recognized in the category of "intergovernmental cooperation" for its efforts in the merger of West Alexander Borough into Donegal Township and simultaneously creating a multi-municipal comprehensive plan with the adjacent Borough of Claysville.  The merger resulted in improved services to all residents of the newly merged municipalities, a reduction in the cost of services and decrease in real estate taxes for residents of the former borough and renovations to the West Alexander community center.  
• The Borough of Ellwood City, in Lawrence County, was recognized in the category of "innovative energy conservation and efficiency" for finding a way to combat Ellwood City's excessive electric energy usage – the borough's fourth largest budgetary expense – by implementing an LED initiative.  The initiative replaced expensive incandescent traffic lights and other lighting throughout borough operations with LED alternatives resulting in significant cost savings helping to offset the downturn in revenues.  

The following local government officials were recognized today:

• Bracken Burns, a Washington County commissioner, was elected to office in 1996.  Prior to his election he served for more than 20 years as the director of the Washington County Emergency Medical Center and as the director of the Washington County Emergency Management Agency for 11 years.  Mr. Burns has been involved on a state level as well by serving as president, board chair, board member, and member of several policy committees of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. Mr. Burns is also active in 40 community, regional and statewide boards and agencies and has received many awards for his commitment and service to county government.
• Tom Lloyd, Mayor of Dormont Borough in Allegheny County, is currently serving his fifth term as mayor but has been dedicated to serving his community for almost 40 years. Before being elected mayor, Lloyd spent 18 years as a borough council member and served on various committees to celebrate Dormont's heritage.  Lloyd also participates in both regional and statewide organizations, including representing Allegheny County on the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs' Board of Directors, where he serves as a trustee; a member of the board of directors for the Local Government Academy; the second vice-president for the Association of Mayors of the Boroughs of Pennsylvania; and president of the Allegheny County Mayors Association.
• Thomas McElhone serves as a commissioner in Shaler Township, Allegheny County. He also serves on over a dozen of the township's committees including public safety, police grievance and the Act 32 Allegheny North Tax Committee.  McElhone is the current president of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners and a trustee to the Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust.

The recognitions were part of the 15th 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