Pine, Richland among 80 communities recognized as Banner Communities

Although he’s been on the job as Pine’s manager for less than a year, Jason Krastas sees the commitment the township’s supervisors have to ensuring Pine is a place people are proud to call home.

That’s reflected, he said, in Pine being among 80 municipalities and municipal authorities recognized as Banner Communities by Allegheny County and the Allegheny League of Municipalities for 2022.

Pine has been recognized by the program since 2014.

“When I got here it became evident to me that our board takes the municipal management seriously. Their vision is about a proactive, well-managed community,” he said. “Pine lives and breathes that to make sure that we’re managed well for the betterment of our citizens.”

Neighboring Richland is among 14 municipalities that have been designated as Banner Communities every year since the program started 10 years ago.

“It’s a whole team effort,” longtime Richland manager Dean Bastianini said.

“It’s not one aspect of the government. We try to be responsive and provide good services as best we can.”

Bastianini said it was Supervisor George “Skip” Allen, a former president of the Allegheny League, who urged the township to apply to be part of the program.

He said they reviewed the requirements and found, “We had been doing all of those things,” Bastianini said.

The program recognizes municipalities that show a commitment to professional development, prudent fiscal management, transparency, accountability and proactive communications to engage their community members.

“Local government officials often put in the most time and effort with the least amount of recognition or appreciation,” Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said.

“This program celebrates that work and all of the efforts that these officials put in on a daily basis for their community.”

Among the eligibility requirements, a municipality’s elected and appointed officials have to participate in educational or training programs and participate in a cooperative buying program and have at least one shared municipal service.

They have to conduct an activity promoting local government or communicate with their community about delivery of services, communicate with citizens through a newsletter or website and engage junior or senior high school students with a class discussion on local government or shadowing program.

They also have to promote and implement long-term, sustainable governing practices by earning certification through Sustainable Pittsburgh, managing employee pensions, participating in the league’s wage and salary survey program and implementing goals of an up-to-date comprehensive plan.

The designation is “an acknowledgment that we try to operate the government competently and professionally,” Bastianini said. “We’re happy to be part of it. We want to conduct government as efficiently and economically as possible.”

Krastas says it shows Pine actively is controlling its own fate by not just meeting minimum standards for government management but exceeding them.

“We want people to be proud of the community they live in,” he said.

The municipalities will be recognized during a luncheon as part of the Allegheny League’s spring education conference in April.