Citizens enjoying the water show
Out of 16 finalists, the City of Tallahassee celebrated its second time winning the National Civic League’s All American City (AAC) award. Tallahassee won its first award in 1999.
Each of the ten city had to present a 15 minute presentation on projects they have developed to improve their community. Tallahassee’s representatives chose to highlight Cascades Park, the city REACH program, and the Distinguished Young Gentlemen organization, all programs designed to develop the community either by improving the environment or citizen uplift.
There was an event from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Cascade Park in celebration of the city’s new award. Citizens were treated to hot dogs, lemonade, snow cones and watermelon and live music.
Jamesio Brown, a senior finance and professional sales student at Florida State University, and Distinguished Young Gentlemen alum, was recognized as a finalist in Denver for the All American City Youth Award. He believes the All American City award is very beneficial to Tallahassee and the country.
“Tallahassee is an amazing city. For us to get recognized for the award and winning, it’s great for our community and great for America as a whole. It should push the rest of the nation to want to be like Tallahassee and continue their growth.” said Brown.
The 10 winners of the 2015 AAC awards are Carson, CA; Salinas, CA; Stockton, CA; Tallahassee, FL; Somerville, MA; Tupelo, MS; Geneva, NY; Marshall, Texas; Spokane, WA; and Yakima, WA.
Carrie Poole, of the communications department for the city of Tallahassee, was among the city employees working the event. “What it boils down to again, it’s about people coming together to recognize issues and come up with solutions to solve them.”
She looks forward to the positivity the award will bring to the city.
“Everyone that’s been a part of it and everyone that’s learned about it after we came back with the award have even more sense of pride for Tallahassee. It also helps promote economic development. It creates opportunities. When businesses are looking to relocate, they are more likely consider All American City award winners. So it’s good all around.” said Poole.
Speakers at the event included Mayor Andrew Gillum, Harriett Bryant of the REACH program, Wayne Tedder of Cascades Park, Ramon Alexander of Distinguished Young Gentlemen and Commissioners Gil Ziffer, Curtis Richardson, Scott Maddox and City Commisioner Nancy Miller.
Miller enjoyed today’s festivities and was definitely proud of her city winning the award.
“I have to quote Commissioner Maddox because he said it’s the Nobel Peace Prize for cities,” stated Miller. “The organization that gave this out does the All American City competition to set standards for cities and to show cities the best practices, so they can share ideas. That’s what this is all for. A lot of people say how can you be an All American City when you have this problem or that problem but what this was all about is how a city faces its problems and overcomes them.”
At 8 p.m., Tallahassee residents enjoyed a water show which included American colors red white and blue set.
For more information visit Talgov.com or look up #TallyAAC15 on social media.