TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS ATTEND ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE IN HERSHEY
Charles Mead and Connie Ely of Bridgewater Township, Susquehanna County, attended the 88th Annual Educational Conference and Trade Show of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors April 18 – 21 at the Hershey Lodge.
More than 4,000 township officials, exhibitors, and guests participated.
The conference provides township officials with information to help them better serve their constituents and gives them an opportunity to exchange ideas on important local government issues.
Heading the list of notables who spoke were U.S. Sen. Robert P. Casey; Lt. Gov. Joe Scarnati; Secretary of Community and Economic Development George Cornelius; and Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration Scott Christie. During a special forum, delegates quizzed Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial candidates on issues that matter most to local government officials. Topics covered included transportation funding and forced municipal mergers and consolidations.
Conference attendees also heard from two motivational speakers, Patrick Haggerty, who explained the keys to grassroots lobbying success, and Bryan Townsend, who used humor to convey a serious message about succeeding in tough times.
During the conference’s business session, delegates adopted resolutions establishing the official policy of the State Association. These resolutions will serve as guidelines for Association in pursuing legislation and regulations favorable to townships.
The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors has been serving the state’s 1455 townships of the second class since its creation by the General Assembly in 1921. Townships of the second class represent more residents – 5.4 million Pennsylvanians- - than any other type of political subdivision in the commonwealth.