Established in 2021, CNNA’s Neighborhood Award honors individuals, businesses, community groups and Sarasota city staff that have made an outstanding contribution to preserving and enhancing our city neighborhoods. Award recipients demonstrate a passion and commitment to creating a healthy and vibrant community and serve as an inspiration to others.
And the Neighborhood Award goes to …
2023 – Jen Ahearn-Koch (Vice Mayor)
In October, our Award’s Committee distributed nomination forms to the neighborhoods. The Committee reviewed the submissions and from a handful of very qualified nominations recommended our 2023 honoree to the Board.
This year the 2023 CCNA Neighborhood Award goes to:
First some quotes from the nomination forms:
- “Consistently demonstrates concern and interest in neighborhood concern & issues.”
- “Understands that neighborhoods are the backbone of the city and its identity and champions their causes.”
- “Always supportive and knowledgeable about issues”
- “Strongest neighborhood advocate in the city”
- “Always available”
And Jim Ludwig, CCNA’s 1st Vice President added since “I get the honor of presenting let me add a few of my own: Respected, Caring, Prepared, Dedicated, Relentless and the “inspiration behind the recent Neighborhood Summit”.
Inscription: “With gratitude for your unwavering support of neighborhoods. Your tireless dedication to the residents has preserved and improved the quality of life throughout the city.”
The 2023 CCNA Neighborhood Award goes to: Jen Ahearn-Koch.
The award was presented at CCNA’s December 2, 2023, Meeting and Holiday Party.
2022 – Nancy Kelly (Neighborhood Planner)
Kathy Kelley Ohlrich in Lou’s absence: “For this agenda item alone, I am very pleased that Lou Costa is having a vacation. Because that means I get to present this award.
The initial recipient of this award was City Manager, Marlon Brown. The person receiving the award this year, may be the first city employee I ever met. When we met, I knew there was an immediate connection. I do know I learned about CCNA from this person. In fact, this person is frequently the first line of contact and communication from neighborhoods to the city – we ask how do we do this; how do we do that; how do we get this done and who do we talk to get that done? This person has all the answers or knows to whom we should speak to get the answers and to get things done. She frequently gets our grief and sometimes gets our thanks. In fact, when the city issues neighborhood grants, we sort of think that money is coming from her, because she is always so helpful to us in writing the grants. Today we convey our deep gratitude and sincere appreciation to Nancy Kelly for everything she does for CCNA, the city’s neighborhoods, and their residents.” (3/5/2022)
2021 – Marlon Brown (City Manager)
First Vice-Chairperson Sue Stewart did the honors via Zoom:
“Marlon, It is our great honor to present you with this award and recognize you as a champion for our city neighborhoods. Your unlimited patience, insight, and professional demeanor have allowed others to feel included and heard.
You are collaborative, solution-focused, team-oriented. Very much appreciated is your sense of humor. You always make time to help others feel welcome. We value that you are able to keenly balance your responsibilities as Manager, with those of the City Commission and city staff, and the needs of a diverse community.
As we acknowledge your accomplishments of the past as Deputy City Manager, and we look forward to the future and working together with you and your team. The City of Sarasota and our region are honored to call you Manager, City of Sarasota, Florida.
Thank you!”