The news coming this month from two Schuylkill County boroughs just six miles apart has residents feeling quite different about their respective communities.

In Mahanoy City, population about 3,500, residents were elated to find out that their community was chosen as one of just 15 in Pennsylvania to receive the Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence. This comes on the heels of the borough exiting the state’s “distressed cities” designation in February after almost eight years in the program.

Meanwhile, in Frackville, population about 3,900, residents have been panicking about the loss of members of the borough’s police department because of what it might mean for their safety.

Pennsylvania has cited Mahanoy City for ``Responding to Adversity,’’ because of its bouncing back from the financial brink.

According to the governor’s citation, Mahanoy City, a once prosperous anthracite mining area in northern Schuylkill County, has gone through many demographic changes over the years. By 2015, the borough found itself in a position where it needed to file for Act 47 - financial distress.

As a result, the borough adopted a recovery plan and made ample changes to its government. The changes were so profound that by early this year, the borough was no longer considered ``distressed’’ and was able to exit Act 47 successfully with a fiscally stable community.

Mahanoy City is the only community in the five-county Times News region to receive the Governor’s Award.

The borough’s recognition coincides with the annual Local Government Day observance earlier this month which “focuses attention on the need for strong, independent and active local government and celebrates the valuable contributions made by residents serving their communities.’’

Rick Siger, acting director of the Department of Community and Economic Development, heaped praise on Mahanoy City and the 14 other recipients of this prestigious recognition.

“The Shapiro Administration is thrilled to celebrate these local governments and the passionate people who serve them,’’ said Siger, who reminded residents that it’s local government which has the greatest impact on our day-to-day lives.

“The projects and individuals recognized today are essential in helping make Pennsylvania the best place to live, work and prosper,’’ Siger said.

Gov. Josh Shapiro also commended the recipients for their achievements. “Each of this year’s recipients has shown exceptional dedication in improving public services through innovative initiatives and a continued focus on getting things done for their communities,’’ Shapiro said.

“This work is not about what party you belong to - it’s about getting things done for the people of Pennsylvania,’’ he said. Shapiro also noted of the recipients, “Public service is not just what they do; it’s who they are.’’

Meanwhile, in Frackville, residents called a public meeting, not attended by borough officials, to shine a spotlight on what they consider to be a public safety crisis since resignations have depleted the borough’s Council ultimately voted at its meeting this month to hire Joseph Murton, a Port Carbon police officer who formerly was on the Pottsville City police force. His starting salary will be $66,200 a year with family health care, which previous members of the force had fought for.

Before Murton’s hiring, Frackville was down to just Police Chief Paul Olson after Patrolman Devin Dellock resigned to take a full-time police position in Tamaqua.

There were three other resignations during the past year - veteran officer Anthony Kankowski, who resigned two months ago, and officers Phil Petrus and Chris Hand, who had resigned earlier.

State police, which has been used for coverage in Frackville for the past two years, fills in shifts when local officers are not available.

The “concerned citizens’’ who called the meeting said the borough’s police force is in “disarray’’ and “shattered,’’ questioned Olsen’s leadership capabilities and expressed concern about the safety and well-being of borough residents because of the reduced staffing.

By BRUCE FRASSINELLI | TNEDITOR@TNONLINE.COM

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.