Tarentum Council President Scott Dadowski shared a word of advice for anyone wading into local government: Take it day by day.

“If you would have told me eight years ago I would be the council president of Tarentum, I would have never believed you,” he said. “I would not change a thing. Stay true to yourself and make decisions that benefit the borough as a whole.”

It’s his approach that earned Dadowski selection to the Inspiring Leaders Program of the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units, a yearlong leadership development program.

It recognizes people who are making a positive impact in their communities and helping to develop the next generation of leaders.

Dadowski is an administrator at the Mon Valley School, a public, nonresidential school for students ages 5 to 21 with special needs.

He’s not the only borough representative in the spotlight.

Tarentum Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf was named a Public Service Champion by the National Academy of Public Administration, a congressionally chartered organization meant to increase government efficiency and accountability.

Boddorf is among 250 people chosen nationwide in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.

Tarentum, with about 4,000 residents, is the smallest Pennsylvania municipality represented on the list.

Despite its size, the borough operates its own water and electric utilities and public works. Its police department absorbed officers from Brackenridge in recent years to help keep that department afloat.

“Tarentum has always been a community that produces leaders who care deeply about public service and about doing the job the right way,” Mayor Bob Lang said.

He said the double recognition speaks to the type of leadership being cultivated in the borough.

Council Vice President Lou Ann Homa said the recognitions show that work being done in the borough is noticed well beyond the municipality.

Dadowski was selected for the Aspiring Leaders program by his superiors in the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. The program gives participants a glimpse into executive leadership and mentoring.

“I feel honored to be selected,” Dadow­ski said. “There are many similarities in my professional role as a school administrator and as an elected official. Both positions require strong organization skills, communication skills and the ability to make decisions.”

More importantly, he said, they require the need to be able to listen.

“More often than not, people just want to be heard,” Dadowski said. “They have a concern and they want to know you hear them and you will listen to them.”

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