PLANNING COMMISSION Executive director turns in resignation

As opportunity knocks, he responds.
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Mercer County Regional Planning Commission is losing its executive director.
Dennis Puko of Farrell, who has had that post for 11 1/2 years and has worked for the agency for 25 1/2 years, has tendered his resignation effective Sept. 10.
He starts working for the state Governor's Center for Local Services on Sept. 13.
Puko said the center had an opening for a field position that will enable him to work on planning and related matters for both northwestern and southwestern Pennsylvania.
He'll have offices in both Pittsburgh and Erie but said he will be spending a lot of time on the road. He won't have to relocate from Farrell.
Making changes
He said the state has some opportunities that interest him and will enable him to use his skills to help communities beyond Mercer County.
Pennsylvania is challenging communities to come up with cooperative approaches to planning and dealing with needs, Puko said, adding that he could get the opportunity to work on countywide packages.
The planning commission will advertise for a new executive director and could fill the position at its Oct. 26 meeting, Puko said. Dan Gracenin, assistant director, will handle most of the executive director's responsibilities until that time.