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June 19, 2009
SOMERVILLE NAMED ‘ALL AMERICA CITY’
Team of Business Owners, City Officials, Residents, and Local Organizations Travel to Florida to Bring Home 2009 All America City Title after Fierce Competition in Tampa
The National Civic League announced tonight that the City of Somerville is one of ten winners of the 2009 All America City (AAC) Awards. Somerville was one of the 30 cities selected from thousands of entrants across the nation to vie for the title in Tampa. The award, which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary, is the best known and most competitive civic awards program in the United States, and this is the second win for Somerville, which received its first title in 1972. A 40-member delegation including representatives of the business community, local non-profit organizations, youth groups , city government and residents presented Somerville’s qualifications for the award to a jury of national experts in a series of three-day events that culminated in a 10-minute skit on the city’s efforts to support and prepare for the Green Line Extension Project.
The All America City Award is America’s original community recognition award, honoring communities of all sizes where community members, government, businesses and nonprofit organizations work together to address critical local issues. To win, communities must demonstrate close and effective collaboration among the public, private and nonprofit sectors to identify and advance the progress of key goals shared by the community. Other criteria include recognition and inclusion of the diverse segments of the population in community decision-making, creative use of community resources, and clear demonstration of project results and impacts, among many others. The finalists are selected on the basis of extensive written applications submitted in March.
Somerville was named an All America City in 1972, and was named as a finalist in 2008. The 2009 application included information on Somerville’s Green Line Extension Project, diversity and communication issues, and youth issues such as Somerville Cares About Prevention, Somerville Positive Forces 100, and the Mayor’s Suicide Prevention Task Force.
“Our delegation worked extremely hard over the last several months to put together a great presentation, and the work paid off this week,” said Mayor Curtatone. “This award is truly an honor, especially given all of the tremendous competitors from around the country that came to Tampa. I’d like to give a special thanks to all of the Chamber’s businesses, organizations and individuals who helped raise the funds to send so many community members, as well as to the Somerville High School students who helped design and print our props for the presentation.”
The National Civic League encourages civic engagement and community activism, most especially pertaining to youth issues. This year, two youth delegates traveled to Tampa and spoke on issues pertaining both to the Green Line Extension and to their work with Somerville Cares About Prevention.
“Being a part of the All America City team made me feel more connected to Somerville than ever before, and really helped me realize the meaning of civic engagement,” said Somerville High School senior Paulo Gutierrez. “This event created group cohesiveness, and it’s an experience that I will never forget.”
Chamber of Commerce Chair Ron Bonney of Bonney Automotive said “This award underscores our pursuit to be New England’s leader in urban quality of life. Closer to downtown Boston than most of the City of Boston itself, and in the center of the Brainpower Triangle of MIT, Harvard, and Tufts, Somerville is in a unique leadership spot. We’re at the forefront of smart growth and transit-oriented development, and we tackle issues with collaboration, inclusiveness, and innovation. We would like to thank all the Chamber members and the public that attended our fundraiser hosted by the Holiday Inn, and headlined by Soul Picnic, to fund the team’s trip to Tampa."
"I think for each of us playing a role in the All American City competition was stimulating and rewarding, giving us the opportunity to meet some wonderful people throughout this great country," said former Mayor Eugene Brune.
The delegation will return to Somerville over the weekend, and will work with the City to plan celebrations to honor the entire community. Without the support, civic pride, and activism of all community members, this award would not have been possible.
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