Politics & Government
Youth Commission Service Shines in All-America Presentation
Dedhamites presented to judges Thursday in Kansas City in the All-America City competition.
For 22 minutes, the Dedham delegation highlighted youth service, the Dedham Square project and the town's push toward sustainability initiatives as they competed for the in Kansas City.
Video of the presentation was streamed live by AAC on the website Ustream.tv.
marching band led the delegation into the conference room. And the group was "375 years ready" to present to the panel of judges, charged with picking 10 cities out of 23 to win the prestigous award.
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"Since our founding by 22 settlers in 1636, Dedham, originally called Contentment, has relied on our citizens to meet our challenges and lead by example as a historic mother town," said Greg Agnew, acting as historical figure Fisher Ames.
Dedham's presentation began with the highlighting of the for "outdated infrastructure."
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State Rep. Paul McMurtry and Karen O'Connell, Dedham's economic director, explained the involvement of , the grant process to secure state funds and how the private-public partnership evolved.
"After three years of designed work, community outreach and grant applications, the town was ," McMurtry said.
The town later received from the state for the project.
"The Town of Dedham has enjoyed 375 years of innovation, commerce and civic engagement," McMurtry said.
The delegation then bragged about the service projects accomplished by the Youth Commission, who seemed to earn major points from the judges for completing service projects in three states this week on their trip to Kansas City.
"We've had a hard time keeping up with them, because they are all over the place," said Town Administrator William Keegan.
The commission discussed their trips to the , shoveling snow for neighbors - which was aplenty this past winter - and delivering .
The group volunteered in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Missouri on their way to Kansas City.
Members of the Sustainability Advisory Committee then touched on state awards given to the town, and green initiatives taken by Dedham - including its energy conservation efforts at and at Dedham High School.
"Dedham is implementing tangible, real solutions to our most pressing environmental challenges and creating a greener future by changing the way we look at renewable energy and conservation," said Virginia LeClair, Dedham's environmental coordinator.
Summing up the widespread participation of residents on various boards, committees and organizations, Board of Selectmen chairman said, "Our town is thriving with volunteers who are just looking to help and assist."
All-America City winners will be announced at 8 p.m. EST on Friday, according to the AAC website.
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