Plenty of opportunities to get 'back to class' this fall!As another summer winds down and students in your community head back to school, Local Government Academy has a number of educational programs lined up for elected and appointed officials who are looking to get back into the swing of things too!
Be sure to check out the three-evening session for planning commission members and the "Storm Water & Sewers Series" for elected officials. There are two free roundtables scheduled for this fall, too.
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Run (or walk!) for Office with the Rising Professionals in Local Government
 Join Local Government Academy and the newly-established Rising Professionals in Local Government network at the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race on Sunday, September 28, 2014 and help raise awareness of the opportunities of local government and of Contemplating Governing, LGA's non-partisan program for anyone considering running for local elected office.
By signing up as a "Run (or walk!) for Office" fundraiser and participating in the Great Race as an individual runner or walker, or by putting together a team for the 10K, you will be helping to raise funds to ensure that as many citizens as possible can attend Contemplating Governing to learn about the opportunities, challenges, requirements and reasons to serve in local elected office.
Or, make a contribution to the "Run (or walk!) for Office"
Can't participate in the Great Race, but want to support the cause? Visit http://tinyurl.com/lgarunforoffice to make donation today!
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A three-evening course designed for appointed members of the municipal planning commissionThe Role of the Planning Commission in Assuring Community Vitality
 The planning commission is an important component of the community development process. Throughout the spring and summer, Local Government Academy worked with southwestern Pennsylvania planning professionals to develop a course that focuses on the unique role of the planning commissioner, as well as some of the challenges that this board - made up of community volunteers - faces in this region.
This three evening course will provide a "nuts and bolts" overview of what planning commissioners need to know to operative effectively and within the constraints of the law. Participants will get hands on experience in reviewing proposed plans and will receive access to online resources, in addition to what is offered in the class.
Program Details:
Thursdays, October 9th & 23rd and Thursday, November 6th
6 PM - 9 PM | Green Tree Borough Municipal Building
Registration Fee: $95; Scholarships and special discounts are available. Contact LGA for details. What participants will learn in this course:Session #1: Roles, Relationships & Resources- Roles and responsibilities of the planning commissioner
- The planning commissioner's relationships with the elected governing body, municipal staff and the community
- Resources that assist the planning commissioner in carrying out their work
Session #2: The Planning Process - The planning commissioner's role in long range planning and the comprehensive plan
- Reviewing applications for development and the various components of an application package
Session #3: Running Effective Meetings & Making Decisions - Decision making - from submission to the final recommendation to the governing board
- Due process and deliberation
- Ethical implications for planning commission members
 Submitted by: Patrick Shattuck, Planning Commissioner & Council Member, Wilkinsburg Borough  This program is offered in partnership with the DCED Governor's Center for Local Government Services. Officials from communities that have been designated as fiscally distressed (Act 47) are eligible for an 80% discount on the registration fee. This program is offered as part of the Sustainable Development Academy, a partnership of LGA and Sustainable Pittsburgh.
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Two upcoming programs focus on storm sewers, sanitary sewers & MS4 Permits for storm water runoff
Public Works Learning Lab
Sewer Maintenance: What is going on down there?
No one has probably ever been elected to local office on the promise that they would keep storm and sanitary sewers clean. Maintenance is costly. Projects are likely to cause traffic restrictions or delays. And, no one can see the results. That is, until there is heavy rain and flooding - or a sinkhole - then everyone develops an appreciation for properly maintaining the pipes underground.
With many communities in southwestern Pennsylvania under consent decrees and other state and federal regulations to clean up their pipes and eliminate sanitary sewer overflows, it is increasingly important that local elected officials understand what takes place during sewer maintenance and why is is a critical - although not always popular - function of local governments.
Maintenance and repair of sewer laterals is expected to be a big project for municipalities over the next few years and now is the time that local elected officials should consider starting a program to inspect and repair sewer laterals on a routine basis.
This upcoming "learning lab" will give local elected officials hands-on learning experience and the opportunity to learn about the various pieces of equipment (which will be on site!) that are used during sewer
maintenance and the important role that each one plays in the process.
Program Details:
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
6 PM - 8 PM | Upper St. Clair Community & Recreation Center
_________________________________________________________________MS4 Compliance, New FEMA Flood Insurance Regulations & Allegheny County Act 167 Storm Water Management Plan: What Local Elected Officials Need to KnowThis program will provide participants with updates on the new MS4 requirements for municipal separate storm water systems and what municipal officials should be doing to ensure their communities are in compliance. Additionally, instructors will discuss new FEMA Flood Insurance regulations that could impact properties' eligibility for flood insurance.
A representative from Allegheny County will be on-hand to discuss the progress of the County's Act 167 plan and updates that have an impact on local communities.
Program Details:
Thursday, November 13, 2014
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM | Etna Volunteer Fire Hall
Registration Fee: $35. Scholarships & Discounts are available. Contact LGA for details.
Click here to register
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Two Free Roundtable DiscussionsThe clock is ticking for municipalities to determine how they want to handle the SEC's Municipal Continuing Disclosure Cooperation (MCDC) Initiative Wednesday, October 29, 2014 11 AM - 1 PM
Community College of Allegheny County, Office of College ServicesRegistration is free, but pre-registration is required. ____________________________________________________________ What's New in Recycling? An update on DEP regulations and a discussion on recycling televisions and other
e-waste
 Wednesday, November 5, 2014
11 AM - 1 PM
Community College of Allegheny County,
Office of College Services
Registration is free, but pre-registration is required
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Keeping Tabs on What is Happening at LGA?
Other ways to find out what's happening at LGA:
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Local Government Academy has moved!Effective September 2, 2014, LGA has a new mailing address:
1501 Preble Avenue
Suite 202
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
LGA's phone and fax numbers will remain the same.
Phone: 412-586-5659
Fax: 412-904-4928
Please update your records to reflect this change.
Job Postings on Local Government Job Network
Township Manager, Middlesex Township
Borough Manager, Borough of Kane
Planner/Economic Development Coordinator,
Moon Township
Recreation Director,
City Manager,
City of Johnstown
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Thank You
Advocates for Good Government
Visit our Sponsors
Interested in learning more about our Advocates for Good Government and how to join other corporate donors in supporting LGA?
Click here to download a copy of the 2014-15 Sponsorship Prospectus
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Visit the LGA 
