A serious automobile wreck last spring could only hold back Ronald W. Weimer so long from his passion for volunteering in Latrobe. “After it happened, people were telling me they thought I was going to die,” Weimer, 71, said. His car hydroplaned during a rainstorm on Route 30 in Somerset County and struck trees. After he lost his spleen and suffered internal bleeding, Weimer endured a six-week stay at UMPC Presbyterian hospital and several more weeks of rehabilitation before resuming his volunteer roles as chairman of the Latrobe Community Revitalization Project and vice chairman of Latrobe Planning Commission. Weimer was honored for his perseverance as one of nine recipients of 2007 annual Smart Growth Awards presented at a dinner Thursday at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg in Hempfield. The awards — presented by the Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County — went to individuals and groups associated with work that typifies the nonprofit organization’s goal of fostering better-quality development in current and future communities throughout the county. “Every community where Smart Growth has worked, there’s been someone like Ron, a person who tirelessly cares and works on behalf of their community,” said Alex Graziani, Smart Growth executive director. Other individuals, groups and plans recognized at the event were: &#149 Scottdale Public Library, which has a development proposal that includes community stakeholder collaboration meant to strengthen community ties. Accepting was Judy Ermine. &#149 Trail Town Program, an economic development initiative created by the Allegheny Trail Alliance and The Progress Fund that is focused on enhancing the towns along the Great Allegheny Passage. Accepting were David Kahley and Linda McKenna Boxx. &#149 Greensburg for its County Seat Renaissance, which includes development of Seton Hill University’s Center for the Performing Arts, the county courthouse annex expansion, a new state office building on North Main Street, new parking areas and streetscape improvements. Accepting were Barb Ciampini, Emil Peterinelli and Rob DePasquale. &#149 South Greensburg for its Gateway Enhancement Program/Five Star Trail Access Phase I, a multi-municipal planning effort by the borough, Greensburg, Hempfield and Southwest Greensburg to provide a buffer zone between the Five Star Trail and the commercial/industrial district on Huff Avenue. Accepting was Linda Iezzi. Dr. Frank A. Cassell, outgoing president of Pitt-Greensburg, received the Smart Growth Founder’s Award for outstanding leadership and guidance as chair of the Smart Growth Partnership since its inception in 2000. “This county is one of the more marvelous areas of the country,” Cassell told the audience of roughly 300. “If you will all stay together as partners, you’re going to have communities you can continue to be proud of.”

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