2021 Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence

In April, Governor Wolf and the Department of Community and Economic Development announced the 2021 Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence. These awards recognize local officials’ dedication to improving public services through innovative initiatives in ten categories. This year, award winners were honored during a virtual awards ceremony on May 19, 2021.

The Chapter was pleased to nominate Peter Wulfhorst for an individual leadership award. Peter has been a strong leader on planning issues in Northeast Pennsylvania since the late 1980s, when he was the Pike County planning director. Learn more about Peter’s contributions here.

A list of the award winners in each category is below. To learn more about each award winner, visit here.

Individual Award Winners

• Jeffrey Snyder, Commissioner, Clinton County
• Peter Wulfhorst, Extension Educator with Penn State Extension (nominated by APA-PA)
• Gene Miller, Supervisor, Pinegrove Township, Venango County
• Dwight D. Hoare, Manager, St. Mary’s Area Water Authority, Elk County
• Danene Sorace, Mayor, Lancaster, Lancaster County
• Thomas C. Gramling, Sr., Councilman, Westmont Borough, Cambria County
• Nathan Silcox, Hampden Township Commissioner, Cumberland County
• Kathy Rader, Township Supervisor, Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County

Building Community Partnerships

• AllOne Foundation

Fiscal Accountability and Best Management Practices

• Worcester Township

Information Technology

• Plainfield Township
• South Whitehall Township

Innovative Planning & Sound Land Use Practices

• Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC)

Intergovernmental Cooperation

• Lower South Valley Council of Governments (LSVCOG) and Mountain Council of Governments (MCOG) 

Promoting Community/Economic Revitalization

• Tri-COG Land Bank (TCLB)
• City of Clairton
• City of Aliquippa

Responding to Adversity

• Local Government Academy
• Delaware County

Health and Wellness Initiatives

• Northampton County
• Millbourne Borough