Looking at Pennsylvania and the country over the past several years, it is important to take time to recognize the efforts of our local government officials, especially considering the uncertainties that occurred with the Covid-19 pandemic and larger regional changes impacting our communities. Many of these individuals are dedicated public servants who make tough choices for the benefit of the entire community.

Most of the time local government flies under the radar. That is unless it is an election year or when a community service issue affects our lives.

Serving as an elected official comes with a lot of responsibility and requires real a sacrifice of time and commitment to rise above personal feelings to achieve the non-partisan nature of service delivery that is the responsibility of local governments in Pennsylvania. Serving as an elected official requires a dedication to serving the public-at-large, even when faced with complex and sensitive issues that create tensions within families and among our neighbors.

Local Government Academy proudly supports the efforts of local government officials and remains dedicated to working alongside our municipal leaders to help them understand their role and responsibilities.

A key tenant of our educational programming is that it is non-partisan, fact based and relevant to Pennsylvania municipalities. As a governing body, officials are to act on the behalf of the entire community and it saddens me when I see people placed in threatening situations because of uninformed residents, political agendas, or the mass hysteria created when social media takes over the narrative.

With this in mind, we are actively developing the 2024 Newly Elected Officials Course to aid the next generation of municipal officials with new tools to meet the challenge of contemporary local government. This course will provide comprehensive training on all aspects of governing, helping those seeking to serve their communities become empowered as local leaders.

In the meantime, we continue to deliver free, or low-cost education to municipal officials and employees through our on-going financial and blight mitigation training series.

If you feel it’s time for a change in your community, consider taking up the mantle of public service, but please do so with civility to your fellow officials and others. Attend a governing body meeting and see what leadership is about and NOT just when you are angry with a decision made on behalf of the community.

Regardless, if you are interested in public service, please come to Local Government Academy to learn your legal obligations, your role, and best practices to achieve Excellence in Local Government.
Join us on a path to a more resilient and effective local government system as we commend our local officials and municipal employees for it is they who do the vital and often unglamorous work of local government.

Yours in good and civil governance,

Joy