NEWS
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Sunnyvale Named 2002 All-America City Award Finalist
30
communities vie for nation’s most prestigious civic award
Sunnyvale, CA (5/1/02) – Sunnyvale has been selected as one of the 30 Finalist communities for this year’s All America City Award, the nation’s longest running and most prestigious civic recognition program.
A program of the National Civic League, the All-America City Award encourages and recognizes civic excellence, honoring communities (neighborhoods, towns, cities, counties and regions) in which citizens, government, businesses and non-profit organizations demonstrate successful resolution of critical community issues. Since 1949, more than 4,000 communities have competed and nearly 500 have been named “All-America Cities.”
"My wholehearted congratulations goes out to the Sunnyvale community for this accomplishment," said Mayor Fred Fowler. "When the residents, businesses, and non-profits in Sunnyvale recognize a problem exists, our positive 'can do' attitude swings into action and drives results."
"We have faith in our ability to solve problems," said City Manager Bob LaSala. "That faith comes from our collective experience as a community in successfully meeting tough challenges and working through complex issues."
“These communities serve as models for the rest of the country,” said Christopher T. Gates, president of the National Civic League. “They are tackling challenges that seem insurmountable and are producing positive and tangible results with ingenuity and collaboration.”
The 30 Finalists will participate in a final round of the All-America City competition hosted by the greater Kansas City region in Kansas City, Missouri, June 13-15. A delegation from each Finalist community will present to a 10-member jury their innovative programs and local solutions addressing a wide range of social and community issues. Some of the innovations highlighted in Sunnyvale's application include programs to help at-risk youth, divert waste away from the landfill, and preserve our community's agricultural heritage. The ten 2002 All-America Cities will be named on June 15 during a special ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center.
"The Columbia Neighborhood Center epitomizes the kind of collaborative problem-solving that is characteristic of Sunnyvale," said Ben Picard, Deputy Superintendent of the Sunnyvale School District. "The school district joined forces with social service non-profit organizations, corporate sponsors, and the City to create a safe and nurturing haven for at-risk youth in our community."
"Enthusiastic community support and involvement has empowered Sunnyvale to successfully pioneer new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle our trash," said Mark Bowers, Solid Waste Program Manager at the City of Sunnyvale.
"Because of the grassroots efforts and passionate concerns of Sunnyvale residents, the agricultural heritage of the community is being preserved," said Joe Gutierrez, who led a multi-year effort to preserve ten acres of an apricot orchard and build an interpretive exhibit to commemorate our City's agricultural history.
The 2001 All-America Cities were: Santa Clara, California; Delray Beach, Florida; South Miami, Florida; Fort Dodge, Iowa; Howard County, Maryland; Ocean City, Maryland; Independence, Missouri; Bozeman, Montana; Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Brownsville, Texas.
For a complete list of the 30 Finalist communities please visit the National Civic League web site at www.ncl.org. Sponsors of the 2002 All-America City Awards include: Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Kansas City, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the City of Kansas City, Missouri.
The National Civic League is a 108-year-old non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to strengthening citizen democracy by transforming democratic institutions. NCL accomplishes its mission through technical assistance, training, publishing, research, and the All-America City Award. The National Civic League is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and has an office in Washington, D.C.
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