Local Government Academy is excited to work once again with Braddock Borough through our Municipal Intern Program (MIP). Through a competitive process, the Academy selected Braddock’s “Community Planning and Blight Mitigation” project to develop a usable and functional database to track blighted properties within the community.

Recently I had the opportunity to meet with Braddock’s Borough Manager, Deborah Brown, and Intern, Paul Donnelly, who is studying at the University of Pittsburgh obtaining his Master of Business Administration and Master of International Development.

Ms. Brown has hosted several Interns over the years, and she shared how the program has been a positive, valuable experience for both her municipality and the interns. Ms. Brown spoke highly of MIP for creating a win-win relationship between the placement site and the intern; Braddock gains a fresh perspective on their projects, while the intern gets exposure to local government. She also stressed the importance of providing opportunities for the interns to meet elected officials, interact with the public, and assist with various projects throughout their experience.

Paul noted that, while he is interested in blight management, which is why Braddock’s project caught his eye, he had previous knowledge of the borough from podcasts hosted by Braddock’s prior Mayor and now Lt. Governor, John Fetterman.

Paul is multi-tasking during his internship, assisting in drafting an ordinance and implementation plan for the Borough’s Rental Registration Program. His goal is to leave Braddock Borough with an established database and program that can be utilized for years to come.

Paul is also interacting with another MIP placement site, the Turtle Creek Valley Council of Governments, to apply for funding to address blight. Additionally, he is supporting the partnership between Braddock, North Braddock, and East Pittsburgh to prepare a multi-municipal comprehensive plan, and is working alongside a community organizer to promote and improve the walkways in Braddock Borough.

As he obtains his dual-degree, Paul has a focus on domestic-based work and is interested in policy. He hopes through his time in Braddock Borough that he learns more about local government and if it is the career path for him.

Local Government Academy commends Braddock Borough and especially Ms. Brown’s dedication to providing an excellent internship experience, and we are certain that Paul will gain invaluable knowledge about local government.

– Mary Romine, Local Government Academy, Intern