Latest news with #AllAmericaCity
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
City of Tallahassee aims for All-America City hall of fame with third victory
The city of Tallahassee is on the cusp of becoming a hall of famer as it hopes to win its third All-America City award, becoming one of ten cities to claim the prize in Colorado over the June 27-29 weekend. A delegation from the city of Tallahassee is in Denver to take part in the All-America City Competition and Event as one of 20 finalists. This is the third time the city has been named a finalist, having gone on to win in 1999 and 2015. The award is a recognition from the National Civic League and each year focuses on a different theme allowing cities to highlight the work they've been accomplishing in that specific area. The 2025 theme was "Strengthening Environmental Sustainability through Inclusive Community Engagement." "I have lived in Tallahassee for 50 years, I've seen the city grow and thrive, and I'm just so glad to be a part of that ... What this competition allows is for us to demonstrate to the residents of Tallahassee and Leon County, the state of Florida, and indeed the country, all of the good things that we have happening," City Commissioner Curtis Richardson said. This is Richardson's second time serving as a delegate for the city, having been a part of the group in 2015. On the TalGov website, the city has dedicated space to the award nomination, such as some background of what the city submitted that officials believe reflects this year's award theme. In their submission, city staff highlighted the community-driven initiatives in the Southside Action Plan, the expansion of the parks system to 100 parks and the Clean Energy Plan that the city commission voted on in 2019. Richardson said the city stands out among others due to its commitment to African-American communities, as in the Southside Action Plan and ongoing projects such as the Southside Transit Center: "I can't imagine there are many, if any, other cities that have placed that kind of attention on long neglected African-American (and) minority neighborhoods." Richardson provided some insight into what the competition weekend will look like, saying that each city will give a presentation highlighting the work they've done to a panel of judges. On top of competing, the weekend serves as a conference where delegates can mingle, hear from other cities and possibly bring back new ideas. Alongside Richardson, local radio host Greg Tish is joining the group in Denver and serving as a delegate for the first time. He's looking forward to "just getting to interact with people that don't necessarily run in my circles but (who) have a love for the city." Tish said it isn't just adults heading out to the mile-high city. One middle school group is tagging along for the ride. The School of Arts and Sciences is a local middle school with a growing rock band led by Shannon Watkins. As part of showcasing Tallahassee's excellence, the young rock stars will get to take their talents to the national level. The award winners will be announced Sunday, June 29. Richardson said he's sure that, if it wins, the city will do it up in style: "When we bring home the prize for the third time, we will plan something huge to celebrate." Akron, Ohio Austin, Texas Albuquerque, New Mexico Carrboro, North Carolina Chelsea, Massachusetts Delray Beach, Florida Denver, Colorado Fort Collins, Colorado Hampton, Virginia Jacksonville, North Carolina Kinston, North Carolina Leominster, Massachusetts Memphis, Tennessee Petaluma, California Port St. Lucie, Florida Seattle, Washington Snyder, Texas Statesboro, Georgia Tallahasssee, Florida Western Riverside Region, California Arianna Otero is the trending and breaking news reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@ and follow her on X: @ari_v_otero. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee leaders travel to Colorado for All-America City contest
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
An All-America City three-peat: Tallahassee 'on the move' with latest designation
The City of Tallahassee is officially a three-time All-America City. A delegation of local leaders took home the honor Sunday night after a high-energy presentation to the National Civic League conference in Denver earlier in the day. Twenty cities, ranging from Delray Beach, Fla., to Memphis, Tenn., to Austin, Texas, vied for only ten spots as an All-America City. It was a nailbiter night with Tallahassee announced as the final All-America City in the list of ten. "This community is investing in its parks," the announcer said. "This community is planning for a clean and renewable future. I'm not sure we'll be able to hear ... this magnetic city." With that, a roar went up from the audience and they chanted "Hey Tallahassee." The local delegation ascended to the stage with hugs and high fives. "We did it, We are bringing it home," Mayor John Dailey said as he hailed City Manager Reese Goad as "the best city manager anybody could work with." "You and your team are absolutely amazing." This is the third time the city has emerged victorious, having gone on to win in 1999 and 2015. The win also means Tallahassee joins an elite collection of cities that have also celebrated a three-peat, including Shreveport, La., Bloomington, Ind., Boston, Mass., Asheville, N.C., Fort Worth, Tex., and Cincinnati, Ohio. To be named an all-American city this year, cities had to show examples of "strengthening environmental sustainability through inclusive community engagement." In this year's application and presentation, the city highlighted "key community-driven initiatives" such as the Southside Action Plan, the expansion of the park system to 100 parks and the Clean Energy Plan. After marching in to the chant of "Hey Tallahassee," the delegation highlighted the three points during their presentation, which was created to emulate a tonight show format with Dailey as the host of "Capital City Tonight." 'For 200 years we have been going strong,' Dailey shouted before a hype video rolled to highlight Tallahassee landmarks and achievements. One by one, the city touted its key initiatives. "We were also the first city in Florida to power all the city municipality buildings with our solar energy," Commissioner Jack Porter said. The delegation was made up of city administrators, volunteers and advocates, including Police Chief Lawrence Revell, morning show radio host Greg Tish and southside community organizer Talethia Edwards. Four of the five city elected leaders were part of the delegation with only Commissioner Jeremy Matlow not in attendance. While trumpeting plans to transition to 100% clean energy by 2050, officials noted that over 90 percent of residents live in a ten minute walk of a park or greenspace. Dailey ended the presentation declaring Tallahassee as a place 'where history, nature and innovation truly come together with a little southern charm as well.' The School of Arts & Sciences middle school rock band Tallahassee Routes closed the presentation out to thunderous applause. Tallahassee also won the organization's social media award for best use of the platform to promote the All-America effort. The city did numerous posts and videos highlighting the city's success and plans for the Denver presentation. The latest accolades come as Tallahassee has seen a string of national recognitions that has led Dailey to proclaim that "Tallahassee is on the move." Florida's capital city was recently recognized by HGTV as one of the top 20 mid-size cities in the United States after landing on the same list in 2023. The city was also recently ranked among the top 20 "best-run cities in America," according to Wallethub. A citywide celebration of the All-America win is expected in the weeks ahead. (The winners are in bold) Akron, Ohio Albuquerque, New Mexico Austin, Texas Carrboro, North Carolina Chelsea, Massachusetts Delray Beach, Florida Denver, Colorado Fort Collins, Colorado Hampton, Virginia Jacksonville, North Carolina Kinston, North Carolina Leominster, Massachusetts Memphis, Tennessee Petaluma, California Port St. Lucie, Florida Seattle, Washington Snyder, Texas Statesboro, Georgia Tallahassee, Florida Western Riverside Region, California This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee wins All-America City honors for third time
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
An All-America City three-peat: Tallahassee 'on the move' with latest designation
The City of Tallahassee is officially a three-time All-America City. A delegation of local leaders took home the honor Sunday night after a high-energy presentation to the National Civic League conference in Denver earlier in the day. Twenty cities, ranging from Delray Beach, Fla., to Memphis, Tenn., to Austin, Texas, vied for only ten spots as an All-America City. It was a nailbiter night with Tallahassee announced as the final All-America City in the list of ten. "This community is investing in its parks," the announcer said. "This community is planning for a clean and renewable future. I'm not sure we'll be able to hear ... this magnetic city." With that, a roar went up from the audience and they chanted "Hey Tallahassee." The local delegation ascended to the stage with hugs and high fives. "We did it, We are bringing it home," Mayor John Dailey said as he hailed City Manager Reese Goad as "the best city manager anybody could work with." "You and your team are absolutely amazing." This is the third time the city has emerged victorious, having gone on to win in 1999 and 2015. The win also means Tallahassee joins an elite collection of cities that have also celebrated a three-peat, including Shreveport, La., Bloomington, Ind., Boston, Mass., Asheville, N.C., Fort Worth, Tex., and Cincinnati, Ohio. To be named an all-American city this year, cities had to show examples of "strengthening environmental sustainability through inclusive community engagement." In this year's application and presentation, the city highlighted "key community-driven initiatives" such as the Southside Action Plan, the expansion of the park system to 100 parks and the Clean Energy Plan. After marching in to the chant of "Hey Tallahassee," the delegation highlighted the three points during their presentation, which was created to emulate a tonight show format with Dailey as the host of "Capital City Tonight." 'For 200 years we have been going strong,' Dailey shouted before a hype video rolled to highlight Tallahassee landmarks and achievements. One by one, the city touted its key initiatives. "We were also the first city in Florida to power all the city municipality buildings with our solar energy," Commissioner Jack Porter said. The delegation was made up of city administrators, volunteers and advocates, including Police Chief Lawrence Revell, morning show radio host Greg Tish and southside community organizer Talethia Edwards. Four of the five city elected leaders were part of the delegation with only Commissioner Jeremy Matlow not in attendance. While trumpeting plans to transition to 100% clean energy by 2050, officials noted that over 90 percent of residents live in a ten minute walk of a park or greenspace. Dailey ended the presentation declaring Tallahassee as a place 'where history, nature and innovation truly come together with a little southern charm as well.' The School of Arts & Sciences middle school rock band Tallahassee Routes closed the presentation out to thunderous applause. Tallahassee also won the organization's social media award for best use of the platform to promote the All-America effort. The city did numerous posts and videos highlighting the city's success and plans for the Denver presentation. The latest accolades come as Tallahassee has seen a string of national recognitions that has led Dailey to proclaim that "Tallahassee is on the move." Florida's capital city was recently recognized by HGTV as one of the top 20 mid-size cities in the United States after landing on the same list in 2023. The city was also recently ranked among the top 20 "best-run cities in America," according to Wallethub. A citywide celebration of the All-America win is expected in the weeks ahead. (The winners are in bold) Akron, Ohio Albuquerque, New Mexico Austin, Texas Carrboro, North Carolina Chelsea, Massachusetts Delray Beach, Florida Denver, Colorado Fort Collins, Colorado Hampton, Virginia Jacksonville, North Carolina Kinston, North Carolina Leominster, Massachusetts Memphis, Tennessee Petaluma, California Port St. Lucie, Florida Seattle, Washington Snyder, Texas Statesboro, Georgia Tallahassee, Florida Western Riverside Region, California This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee wins All-America City honors for third time
