Delray earns 2nd All America title
Delray earns 2nd All America title
By Patty Pensa
and Ariel Hart In
Delray beach In Atlanta
June 24, 2001
Former Delray Beach Mayor
Jay Alperin's stone-faced expression burst into a bubble of enthusiasm Saturday
night when the National Civic League handed the city its second All America City
title in eight years.
South Miami joined Delray Beach to round out the
Top 10 winners of an award coveted for its immense public relations power.
Deerfield Beach did not win.
"I don't know how to describe," said
Alperin, losing his voice as he stepped off stage with the delegation of about
100. "I'm so proud of our community. They worked so hard to win this award. ...
There were some of us who almost didn't think it could be done twice. This
surpasses it."
In its 52nd year, the All America City Award competition
recognizes communities that work together to overcome challenges and achieve
results.
The 30 finalists spent the past two days presenting projects
featured in their applications and showcasing their cities at a civic action
fair.
The buzz around winning has just begun, as the award gives winners
more than just bragging rights. It offers them a larger-than-life banner to wave
at developers, potential businesses and grant applications.
The economic
rewards are hard to measure, but experts say the victory pushes forward the
city's snowball of revival, redevelopment and programming efforts.
Delray
Beach officials can attest to that. The city won in 1993 and was a finalist in
1997.
The city's delegation moved judges -- some to tears Friday morning
-- with its presentation, themed a "Patchwork of Pride." Delegates showcased a
15-by-20-foot quilt with photos from the three programs in the city's
application.
The Youth
Enrichment Vocational Program offers automotive
training for at-risk teens. The Community Neighbors Helping project distributes
bread and organizes seminars for senior citizens in the city's poor southwest
section. Village Academy is a 1-year-old school for at-risk students from
low-income neighborhoods.
"It's community-generated," Alperin said. "It
gives them recognition for being creative, innovative and loving. It gives us
incentive to outdo whatever has been done in the past."
Patty
Pensa can be reached at ppensa@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6609.
Copyright © 2001, South Florida
Sun-Sentinel
Copyright © 2001, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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