NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  CONTACT:     John Jezak, City Administrator

                   April 18, 2006                                                                                419 / 897-7100

                   jezak-john@maumee.org

                                                                                                                             

                                                                             

National Civic League Announces the City of Maumee

as a Finalist for the

2006 All-America City Award

1 of 34 Communities To Compete in Anaheim, California for Civic Award

MAUMEE, OHIO – On Thursday, April 13, 2006, the National Civic League announced the City of Maumee as 1 of 34 finalist communities for the 2006 All-America City Award program. The All-America City (AAC) Award program is the nation's oldest community recognition effort. Founded in 1949 by then National Civic League (NCL) board chair George Gallup Sr., the AAC Award recognizes communities of all sizes - including neighborhoods, towns, cities, counties and regions - who have made major progress in meeting their most important needs. 

The All-America City Award application is purposely arduous to ensure only the most deserving of communities apply and are selected. Each year, only a small percentage (roughly 5%) of those that begin the application process decide in the end that they have the substance to meet the AAC criteria and have the drive to be named an All-America City. A delegation from Maumee will present the community’s case for the award to the All-America City Jury in Anaheim, California on June 10th and 11th, 2006. 

Although entitled “All-America City” the award program recognizes the efforts of all the constituents within a community, not solely the actions of the city government itself.  The application and review process strongly emphasizes the successful collaboration of the private, non-profit, and public sectors in effecting the welfare and development of the overall community.  

To that end, Maumee’s application stresses the important collective efforts that have given rise to the vibrance the community enjoys today.  Among the success stories are: Arrowhead Park, Uptown revitalization, regional economic development, the Maumee S.A.I.L. program, the Wabash Cannonball Trail, Summer Fair, Rolf Park, the Maumee Schools Performing Arts Center, and the various awards of excellence garnered in recent years by the Maumee School District and the City of Maumee.  

Maumee’s application also recognizes the efforts and importance of the business community and non-profits including: the Chamber of Commerce, MUBA (Maumee Uptown Business Association), Lucas County Maumee Valley Historical Society, Rotary, St. Luke’s Hospital, Arrowhead Park Association, and the Quality of Life Group; among others. 

To recognize the outstanding efforts of the many individuals in the governmental, non-profit, and business sectors of the community, Mayor Timothy L. Wagener and the Maumee City Council will host a Press Conference on Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 5:00pm at the Civic Fountain located at 109 E. Dudley St., between City Hall and the Police Building.  After brief words of thanks and congratulations, the City will provide refreshments and handout information concerning the City’s quest for the 2006 All-America City Award.  All members of the public are invited to attend.

2006 All-America City Finalists 

Community – Population 

Maumee, Ohio – 15,074

Columbus, Ohio – 728,432

Fairview Park, Ohio – 12,572

Lincoln, California – 33,000

Modesto, California – 207,634

Salinas, California – 151,060

Sierra Madre, California – 11,023

Golden, Colorado – 17,200

Longmont, Colorado – 82,798

Miami, Florida – 362,470

Sarasota County, Florida – 367,867

Braselton, Georgia – 1,206

Marietta, Georgia – 61,282

Hawarden, Iowa – 2,478

Elmhurst, Illinois – 42,762

Park Forest, Illinois – 23,462

Schaumburg, Illinois – 75,386

Madison, Indiana – 12,335

Lewiston, Maine – 35,690

Cape Girardeau, Missouri – 35,741

Kansas City, Missouri – 441,269

Greensboro, North Carolina – 223,891

Ogdensburg, New York – 12,364

Durant, Oklahoma – 14,565

Harrisburg, Oregon – 3,275

Sherwood, Oregon – 14,540

Charleston, South Carolina – 96,650

North Augusta, South Carolina – 17,574

Richland County, South Carolina – 320,677

DeSoto, Texas – 45,500

Lancaster, Texas – 31,500

Pharr, Texas – 54,452

Layton City, Utah – 68,017

Pacific, Washington – 5,770

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Founded in 1894 by Theodore Roosevelt and other reformers, the National Civic League (NCL) is America's original advocate for community democracy. It is a non-profit, non-partisan, membership organization dedicated to strengthening citizen democracy by transforming democratic institutions. NCL fosters innovative community building and political reform, assists local governments, and recognizes collaborative community achievement. NCL accomplishes its mission through technical assistance, training, publishing, research, and the All-America City Awards, America's original and most prestigious community recognition program. For more information, visit www.ncl.org.