Leet commission president Martin McDaniel honored by QVCOG

Leet Commission President Martin McDaniel was recently honored for his years of public service to the Quaker Valley area.

The former Edgeworth borough manager received a proclamation from the Quaker Valley Council of Governments during its annual reception at the Edgeworth Club on Aug. 28.

It was also McDaniel’s 78th birthday.

More than 80 attendees representing 12 out of 17 COG member communities sang “Happy Birthday” to him.

QVCOG executive director Patrick Connors said the multi-municipal organization’s board of delegates unanimously voted to recognize McDaniel and lifelong Avalon resident Lee Nelson on Aug. 20.

“Martin ‘Marty’ McDaniel has devoted his career to advancing good government and strengthening the Quaker Valley region through his leadership as borough manager of Sewickley and Edgeworth and as president of the Leet Township Board of Commissioners,” Connors said. “He guided transformative projects such as the Quaker Valley School District’s new facilities, helped to reorganize the Leet Civil Service Commission to ensure integrity in law enforcement, and led with transparency and fairness in navigating complex community decisions. Widely respected for his steady, principled leadership, Mr. McDaniel exemplifies the highest ideals of public service and community stewardship.”

McDaniel was first elected as township commissioner in November 2019. He was named president in 2022 and has maintained that leadership role to the present day.

He served as Sewickley borough manager for about eight years and as Edgeworth’s borough manager for 16 years.

“It’s nice to get recognized by your peers,” McDaniel said about the QVCOG proclamation. “It makes me feel proud. I always had good people around me, and it’s not just about me. It’s about all of them, too.

“Like the expression, ‘There’s no I in the word team.’ I’m a believer in good government and in Leet, we’ve changed the culture there. Everybody’s working together. Past commissioners helped me change a lot of things.”

McDaniel said he was inspired to get into government work by his father, Dean McDaniel of Robinson Township.

The elder served on the township’s zoning board of adjustment and as a backup justice of the peace, according to the son.

McDaniel also recalled his grandfather, Charlie McDaniel of Coraopolis, and his work organizing the town’s parade, community days and other activities.

What also rings in McDaniel’s mind when thinking about government service is a speech by late President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address in which he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”

Martin said he was in eighth grade when he heard those words.

“That just hit me and got me interested in government affairs,” he said.

McDaniel was nominated for the honor by township commission vice president Dan Peluso and residents John Bunce and Don Birnie.

Nelson has more than 10 years in public service and is a three-term Avalon council member with countless volunteer hours.

Highlights include organizing Avalon’s 150th anniversary celebration and leading the North Boros Community Day for more than 20 years, to supporting neighbors, schools and local organizations.

He was nominated by fellow Avalon council member Roberta Edwards.

More than $500 was also raised via a 50-50 raffle at the QVCOG event, with proceeds being donated to Animal Friends.