All day long, Erie News Now's Paul Wagner is being honored in Harborcreek Township for his years of service to the community. 

At the Harborcreek Township meeting, supervisors presented Paul with a proclamation declaring Wednesday, December 2, 2020 "Paul Wagner Day". 

Paul has announced his retirement, and officials in Harborcreek Township, one of Paul's regular reporting "beats" over the years, wanted to honor him for his decades of reporting on township issues, growth and development.

Township officials say that Harborcreek Township has always received consistent, fair and accurate reporting from Erie News Now and Paul Wagner.

Speaking on behalf of the current township supervisors, Dean Pepicello said to Paul, "The fact that you have helped us deliver our message of what local government does is important to us - and that you've done it accurately and factually has been a big deal to us."

Pepicello also said that Wagner has been a role model for other reporters of all media. "He's been an example to younger reporters, showing them how it can be done, and still be called a nice guy."

Then on behalf of all Harborcreek Township residents, the beneficiaries of Paul's 41 plus years of fair reporting, Pepicello produced the official proclamation naming the day for Paul, something he said in his 15 years has never been done for anyone. 

"And now therefore be it proclaimed that today December 2, 2020 is Paul Wagner Day in Harborcreek Township," Pepicello said, "for his decades of bringing the message of local government to viewers in Erie County and the surrounding region, his example is to be admired by all the community, so thank you we appreciate it very much."

Although there could be no handshakes because of COVID-19, Paul Wagner thanked this crop of supervisors for their openness and transparency and humbly accepted the proclamation with a few elbow bumps.

Paul's official retirement date is in two weeks - Thursday, Dec. 17. 

He has been part of the Erie News Now team for 41 years.