June 19, 2010
The National Civic League announced the winners of the 61st annual All-America City award during a celebration at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City.
Chandler, Arizona
Lynwood, California
Rancho Cordova, California
North Miami, Florida
Acworth, Georgia
Des Moines, Iowa
Salisbury, Maryland
Gastonia, North Carolina
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
El Paso, Texas
Lynwood, California
Rancho Cordova, California
North Miami, Florida
Acworth, Georgia
Des Moines, Iowa
Salisbury, Maryland
Gastonia, North Carolina
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
El Paso, Texas
21 comments:
This doesn't say much for the state of America when a run down city like Salisbury makes the list. Out of control crime, rentals,drugs, prostitution and a disfunctional government. Somebody didn't research Salisbury too long. I'm not proud of this city and I live here.
It must be because its Mayor follows the rainbow and supports the extensive homeless population of Salisbury. Thats something to be proud of. Homeless beggers holding feed me signs on street corners all over Salisbury. Salisbury is a joke.
Maybe they know something we don't? And by the way, other than bitchin about it, what have you done for Salisbury lately? Salisbury........love it or leave it 9:39 and 9:43!
Wow, to quote John McEnroe, "You can't be serious!!" With Miami and El Paso in the mix, this cannot be a very serious competition. jackkcharl@aol.com
Anon 9:52 AM please tell us who you are that is so proud of this city. My guess is you are either Jim Ireton, John Pick or Lore Chambers. Neither of the last two are even residents of this city, but yet Ireton rewards them for nothing.
By the way if you are neither of these three please sign your name so that we can see that this is an honest post.
10:03 AM
why didnt you sign ur name?
I don't agree that Salisbury is an All-American city but here is what the paper said about what the award is for:
"To qualify, communities had to submit three examples of successful community-based problem-solving. This year's winners addressed such issues as homelessness, obesity, economic development, low-income housing, improving schools and diversity and inclusion."
Three projects don't make an All-American city in my eyes, not when none of them reduce our crime rate.
I found the graffiti-like Youth Leadership Academy picture to be disturbing. We now have a law against graffiti, but this is what they do and call it leadership?
Guess I'm just an old fogey!
I wonder what they based their criteria on? It would be interesting to know. Personally, they should have to gp and live in the city for 4 months before making such a statement. JMO
Salisbury, Maryland
Rose & Lake Streets Housing Revitalization
Community revitalization takes the involvement of a diverse group of people and organizations. In 2005, Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Service, Inc. (SNHS), a non-profit corporation, took the initiative to turn condemned rental housing into newly constructed single family residences by purchasing eleven condemned properties on Rose and Lake Streets in Salisbury. SNHS applied for and received a grant through the City of Salisbury from the State of Maryland for the demolition of the existing structures. Housing construction was provided in conjunction with the Parkside High School CTE program. SNHS also partnered with a developer who agreed to build a home at no profit. Construction was funded by the Hebron Savings bank, and interest that accrued on the loan was donated to the homeowner to assist them with down payment and closing costs. The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore provided grant funding for landscaping and fencing, and labor for the beautification was provided by residents and volunteers from Salisbury University.
Homeless Initiatives
Organizations within Salisbury have taken very innovative approaches to provide for the growing homeless population. The Cold Weather Emergency Shelter (CESP) is open from January through March to provide shelter and meals for homeless men. CESP, operational since 2005, has assisted 667 homeless individuals and provided 12,824 bednights. This project spawned two additional programs: the Code Blue Shelter operated by Hope And Life Outreach (HALO) and assistance to homeless veterans by NATRA, Inc. The Code Blue Shelter opened in 2008 to provide shelter to women and children when the temperature dropped below 32 degrees. In 2009, HALO provided 2,610 bednights and 5,220 meals. HALO also provides meals to homeless individuals with their street outreach as well as workshops and a literacy program to help build self-sufficiency. In 2009, NATRA, Inc., a non-profit that provides counseling services to veterans, conducted a “Stand Down” for three days to assist veterans in obtaining benefits and to determine the extent of homelessness within this population. This event resulted in 150 veterans applying for benefits to which they were not aware they were entitled. Because of its success a larger multi-state event is planned for 2010.
Youth Leadership Academy
In 2005, as a result of an essay about Salisbury’s efforts to help with hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Salisbury’s Promise received a $20,000 award. Wanting to reinvest the money in the community’s youth, a group of stakeholders agreed to create a Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) – to be created by and for youth. The Academy is focused on developing leadership from within the community by reaching out to engage non-traditional leaders among youth. Any youth from grades 8-11 can apply at no cost. The Academy has never rejected an applicant. At the Academy, students come together for three days in the summer. From those participants, a Youth Action Team (YAT) is created to plan next summer’s Academy. YLA increases the youth voice in the community. It serves as a staging point for youth to move their agenda forward and strengthen leadership skills. To sustain YLA, additional funds were secured from local organizations. Adult facilitators are volunteers from local universities, faith community, and civic organizations. One graduate explained that YLA “has brought the youth voice to the table—youth are included in planning groups as an expectation not an exception now.”
In my eyes an All American city is clean, has low crime and a strong sense of civic pride. Rental properties are everywhere but they can be attractive and serve a small community base. Salisbury is heading in the wrong direction in all areas which are unattractive to most people. That is unless your a criminal or a drug dealer. I would be ashamed to be presented with this award knowing the real truth about Salisbury. I am a citizen of Salisbury and I will not be bragging about this award.
1042 because I am not bragging about how great the city is or how bad it is. Why didn't you sign your name?
11:05 AM if you think those qualify Salisbury as an All American City then you are a joke just like Jim Ireton and this award are.
SCAM
Anon 9:52
My home has been for sale for over a year and I plan to leave Salisbury for Hebron. I cant sell my home because Salisbury is so bad. You stay here and deal with the crime,prostitutes and drug dealers. Your probably one of the very poor political figures running this joke of a city.
11:13 There are some homes foreclosed sitting right over the Delaware line in Sussex county you might want to look into when the time comes.
11:13 AM I am a city resident that has been screwed over by the city on several occasions. My home is for sale and can't be sold also. So my only option is to by another home and keep mine as a rental. I also plan I buying several more rentals for extra income. Thanks Jim!
I am a citizen of Salisbury and an employee of Salisbury. I voted for a different town that seemed better suited for the award.
As a citizen of Salisbury, I'll take this as a list of cities to AVOID.
Anon 11:05 Thank you. You proved my point. All it takes is some creative writing to win this award. A few small facts and expand on them to make them pie in the sky accomplishments.
4:27.. Haha I agree. If these cities are anything like Salisbury I would recommend looking for residency elsewhere.
Most of the homeless around Salisbury are that way due to mental illness or addictions-if we were REALLY helping them,they would be getting treatment and medication so that the root cause of their problem is addressed.
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