The Vantage Point November/December 2006 Click here to download a copy of The Vantage Point (PDF format)

State Planning Board Unveils Report and Recommendations on Governance, Infrastructure, and Economic Development
HARRISBURG (Dec. 1) -- The State Planning Board, a statutory advisory board in the Governor’s Office, today released its Report and Recommendations on legislative and executive actions that will help the Commonwealth address vital goals of reinvesting in cities and towns, fostering growth and competitiveness of both urban and rural economies, and improving the quality of life in all of Pennsylvania’s diverse communities.
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Click here to read a summary article.

Back to Prosperity: A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania
The Brookings Institution Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy released a major report on the challenges and opportunities for Pennsylvania's economic future, called Back to Prosperity: A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania. It concludes that we have opportunities to reshape these trends, but only if we embrace a dynamic new vision of economic competitiveness linked to the revival of our older cities and towns.
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Better Models for Development in Pennsylvania
Better Models for Development in Pennsylvania is available to government planners, public officials, developers and interested citizens for them to use as a guide as they design and plan the future of their communities.
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APA Responds to Disasters in the Gulf Coast Region
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Pennsylvania Chapter of APA Testifies on Eminent Domain
Statement of the Pennsylvania Chapter of APA  to the House of Representatives Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Government Committee
Hearing on House Bills 1835 and 1836
August 31, 2005
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State Transportation Commission to Begin Update of the Transportation Program
Regional Hearings Set to Gather Public Testimony
HARRISBURG: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E., today announced that the State Transportation Commission (STC), in partnership with Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs) across the state, will begin a series of hearings to gather public input to develop the next update of the Transportation Program.
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2006 Conference Proceedings
View presentations from the Pennsylvania Chapter of APA Annual Conference.
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Pennsylvania Chapter of APA Announces 2005 Award Winners
2005 Awards Ceremony
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New Members of the American Institute of Certified Planners
Congratulations to the following APA members from Pennsylvania who passed the AICP exam in November, 2005.

Kevin Adams, AICP Christopher Basse, AICP David Chen, AICP Susan Cipperly, AICP Martha Cross, AICP Donald Curley, AICP Teresa Durkin, AICP

Anne Leavitt-Gruberger, AICP Jennifer Leister, AICP Ryan Long, AICP Angela Miller, AICP Tania Nikolic, AICP Valerie Piper, AICP Marisa Waxman, AICP

A total of 19 candidates from PA took the exam; the pass rate was 74%. Nationally, the pass rate was 64%.

Governor Rendell Signs ACRE Legislation to Protect Communities and Farmers
Harrisburg: Gov. Edward G. Rendell today signed the Agriculture Communities and Rural Environment (ACRE) bill that will protect Pennsylvania's farmers and communities. The bill was the result of work undertaken by the legislature and the Rendell administration to address potentially illegal local ordinances affecting farming while providing for strong environmental protections for rivers and streams.
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In Memoriam of Edmund Bacon
Edmund Bacon, 95, the brilliant, irascible city planner who spent much of the first part of the 20th century reinventing Philadelphia and the American city and much of the latter part defending his achievements, died of natural causes at his Center City home, according to family members.
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Governor Rendell announces State Planning Board members
HARRISBURG -- Governor Edward G. Rendell announced the reactivation of the State Planning Board. This advisory board, comprised of cabinet secretaries, state legislators and citizens, has a mission to monitor trends and issues of concern to the Commonwealth, gather input from state and local officials and citizens and develop reports and recommendations for the Governor and the Legislature on improved state policies and programs.
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Puko wins Governor’s Award
The Governor’s Center for Local Government Services recently honored local government officials by presenting Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence. Denny Puko, Executive Director of the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission, was presented with The Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence by DCED Secretary Dennis Yablonsky.
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Remembering Planning Leader David Wallace
My belief that all planning, including physical planning, is a problem-solving process is consistent with my attitude toward life.
David A. Wallace, AICP (1918-2004)
Urban Planning/My Way
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GOVERNOR RENDELL SIGNS ELM STREET BILL
Pre-Application Meeting Set for March 8, 2004
Neighborhoods near commercial districts across Pennsylvania will be eligible for funding for reinvestment and development under legislation signed recenty by Governor Edward G. Rendell.
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2004-2005 State Budget
Governor Rendell Releases 2004-2005 Proposed Budget with Focus on Community Revitalization to Improve Quality of Life for All Pennsylvanians.
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