And the winners are:

The 2005 award winners were recognized at the annual meeting in Saratoga for their outstanding contributions to the field

Heissenbuttel Award for Planning Excellence
Dara Trahan, Planning Specialist for the Town of Woodstock

The New York Planning Federation’s Heissenbuttel Award for Planning Excellence is given to an individual, municipality or agency for outstanding or innovative accomplishment in the planning field, or for consistent support of the New York Planning Federation in its efforts toward better planning.

This year’s award recipient is Dara Trahan, Planning Specialist for the Town of Woodstock in Ulster County, who was nominated by Terrie Rosenblum, Vice-Chair of the Town’s Planning Board. Enthusiastic letters of support from the Town’s Supervisor, Planning Board Chair, Legal Counsel and County Planning Department accompanied the nomination.

Employed by the Town for almost 10 years, Ms. Trahan is held in exceptionally high esteem by her co-workers, words like “outstanding,” “a great planner” and “one of the best and brightest” peppering her letters of support. Ms. Trahan is praised for being a staunch advocate of planning for the future, for keeping the Board informed of relevant planning courses and workshops available, for guiding the Board through difficult land use issues and for her strong work ethic.

She is appreciated for her knowledge, expertise, thoroughness and helpfulness. Referred to by one supporter as the Town’s “true North,” Ms. Trahan advocates for equal application of the law and is professional in her recommendations, keeping her personal feelings to herself.

Her assistance has been instrumental in addressing a variety of specific issues important to the Town, including steep slopes, wetlands, water quality, viewshed protection and the development of affordable housing in Woodstock.