Bethel Park honored as 2014 Banner Community
State Sen. Matt Smith (D-Allegheny/Washington), state Rep. Rick Saccone (R-Allegheny/Washington), and Allegheny Councilwoman Sue Means (R-District 5) all attended a recent Bethel Park Council meeting to congratulate municipal officials and staff for being selected as a 2014 Banner Community.
The award, given by the Allegheny County League of Municipalities, is given to those municipalities that implement best practices in all aspects of their operations and that govern in an inclusive, collaborative manner.
“(Bethel Park) set a standard for how government should function,” Saccone read from a statement presented by the state House of Representatives.
Mayor Jack Allen said it was his suggestion that the municipality apply for the award.
“We will (win it) again next year,” he said.
Members of the Bethel Park Historical Society also attended the meeting to speak about their campaign to attract more members and more interest in the society.
Among the society’s initiatives are replacing the windows at the School House on Park Avenue. The group also has plans to dedicate a classroom to display items of historical interest and to create a website.
Dick Kraft, society member, said the group is actively pursuing local businesses for membership.
The cost for an annual membership for a business is $50. Individual memberships are $15, two-year memberships are $25 and family memberships are $35.
Twenty-five new members have joined within the last month, said Rick Black, another historical society member.
The group will have a booth at Bethel Park Community Day next month.