Governor’s Award For Potter County Organization

A Potter County organization has been awarded the prestigious Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence. Triple Divide Watershed Coalition was one of two local government organizations from across the state recognized this week during a ceremony in the State Capitol. Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker (third from right) cited the local organization as a remarkable example of local leaders pulling together for the common good.

The coalition is comprised of the county’s 10 public water suppliers and numerous county agencies and organizations working collectively to protect public drinking water resources, improve efficiencies and lower operational costs. Triple Divide – named for Potter County’s status as the origin of three major watersheds — developed the state’s first approved sourcewater protection plan for all public water supplies in the county. Valuable assistance in forming the coalition came from Department of Environmental Protection geologist Mark Stephens and Penn State Extension water specialist Jim Clark.

“Tonight, we celebrate your hard work,” Secretary Walker said. “Your communities are fortunate to have dedicated individuals whose commitment helps create better places to live and work.” A panel of judges from state agencies reviewed the award nominees and selected the recipients. Representing Potter County at the ceremony were, from left, Jon Huff from Roulette Township, Planning Director Charlotte Dietrich, Planning Commission chairman John McLaughlin, Planning Department/Triple Divide secretary Debbie Ostrum, and Commissioner Paul Heimel.