During the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) 2004 Annual Meeting at the National Press Club, COG awarded Takoma Park Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Williams with the 2004 Elizabeth and David Scull Metropolitan Public Service Award for his dedicated regional leadership

This year, his leadership was most evident in his role in developing a new Strategic Plan for COG. As Board Chair in 2002, Williams played an active role in developing the nation’s first Regional Emergency Coordination Plan. He guided the decision-making process for the plan that has been the handbook for managing several local emergenciesWilliams has also been instrumental in developing a proactive policy to clean up the Bay.

“When it comes to monitoring drinking water and implementing plans for cleaner air and recycling, Mr. Williams has been a tireless champion of these important regional initiatives,” said COG President Robert Dorsey during the award presentation.

COG also honored the Stargazer Foundation of Fairfax, VA with this year’s Regional Partnership Award. The non-profit foundation helped COG develop an online, virtual information center for the region’s public information officers to use in the event of an emergency.

To create the virtual system, the Stargazer team proposed several designs and customized state-of-the-art technologies to meet the needs of the National Capital Region. The Stargazer team’s contribution to this region amounted to approximately two million dollars worth of professional expertise and computer network technology put in place over the last six months.

“Thanks to Stargazer the region has an operational, virtual system that was up and running for an important homeland security exercise this September,” said COG Executive Director David Robertson.