Local Government Academy is pleased to recognize Ken LaSota, Ph.D., on being named “Pennsylvania Mayor of the Year for 2020” by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs at their 49th annual conference on July 18, 2020.

The Association of Boroughs is the signature professional society for mayors from the 958 boroughs and 56 cities within Pennsylvania. Each year, the Association selects a mayor who has had significant impact upon their community, is a leader in their community, and has had extraordinary accomplishments during their tenure, to be named the Mayor of the Year.

Ken was elected mayor of the Borough of Heidelberg in 1988 and is serving his 22nd year as mayor after being re-elected five times. Ken cites his greatest satisfaction comes when he can promote the Borough of Heidelberg and attract resources to the community. Certainly, he has been successful in that arena and played a vital role in obtaining a $1.2 million-dollar congressional earmark to upgrade the Borough’s business district in 2008.

Ken has served Local Government Academy as a board member for over ten years and is a graduate of the Newly Elected Officials Course (NEOC), Class of 1999. He credits his experience at NEOC as a key factor in elevating the fulfillment of his mayoral duties, which are many!

During his tenure, he has led the way for a number of accomplishments, including: overseeing the expansion of the Borough’s police department from two full-time officers when he came to office to the current staffing of five full-time officers; signing into law scores of ordinances and resolutions; presenting dozens of Mayoral Proclamations honoring and recognizing residents, organizations, and activities within the Borough for exemplary achievement; publishing articles in several regional and statewide journals outlining the Borough’s history and economic vitality; officiating at 74 marriage ceremonies; attending over 90% of the Borough’s scheduled regular and special council meetings; marching as Grand Marshall in 19 Halloween parades; and performing numerous ribbon cuttings for several new business and economic activities in the town.

In his spare time, Ken, a full-time Associate Professor of Geology and Earth Sciences Department of Natural Sciences at Robert Morris University, has volunteered for the last 14 years as a Disaster Services Specialist for the American Red Cross.

“Being recognized as Mayor of the Year is certainly a surprise and truly something that I will always be proud of.  But more than recognition for myself, I am delighted that this award may act to spread the word that the Borough of Heidelberg is indeed a wonderful place to live, work, and play. I would also say that if I have had any success at all as a mayor it is because of the love, support and guidance afforded me by the First Lady of Heidelberg, Rebecca Stanhope.” Mayor Ken LaSota, July 2020.