On Friday, November 21, Destin City Manager Greg Kisela was announced as Florida’s City Manager of the Year by the Florida League of Cities at its annual Florida Cities of Excellence Awards Program. Several minutes later Destin Councilor Sarah “Sam” Seevers was proclaimed Florida’s Council Member of the Year. Minutes later Florida’s Mayor of the Year was awarded to Destin’s Mayor Craig Barker.
As a small city in the Panhandle, to win one award as best in the State of Florida would have been exciting. To win two, would have been amazing. To win three of the top leadership awards in a single year is absolutely unprecedented!
Each year the Florida League of Cities solicits applications from Florida’s 412 cities to compete for the annual Florida Cities of Excellence Awards Program. Out of the hundreds of applications submitted, five from each category are selected as finalists. In 2008, the City of Destin considered itself fortunate to have three of its applicants as finalists in the categories of Mayor of the Year, Council Member of the Year, and City Manager of the Year.
The City Manager of the Year award recognizes the exemplary efforts of a city manager during the past year. Supportive materials submitted for nominees had to reflect how that nominee displayed exceptional excellence in the following areas: judgment, initiative, integrity, innovation, professionalism, commitment, and citizen relations. The winner was selected by members of the League’s Executive Committee and chosen for his/her initiative in developing innovative programs and exemplary leadership. The City Manager selection committee selected Greg Kisela.
The Council Member of the Year award recognizes the extraordinary achievements of a local council member for his or her outstanding civic commitment, leadership, public outreach and service to the city during the past year. Supportive materials submitted for nominees in the Council Member of the Year category had to reflect how that nominee was outstanding in the areas of initiative, integrity, vision, innovation, leadership, and commitment. The winner was selected by a Council Member selection committee – they chose Sarah “Sam” Seevers.
The Mayor of the Year award recognizes the outstanding civic commitment, leadership, public outreach and service to the city of a mayor during the past year. Supportive materials submitted for nominees in the Mayor of the Year category had to reflect how that nominee was outstanding in the following areas: initiative, integrity, vision, innovation, leadership and commitment. The winner was selected by a Mayor selection committee made up of members of the League’s Executive Committee. They selected Craig Barker. It is important to note that final winners of each category were selected by individual category committees and were not known by everyone until the “envelopes were opened” at the awards ceremony.
“Excellent and unparalleled leadership and public service like that provided by Mayor Craig Barker, Councilor Sam Seevers, and City Manager Greg Kisela help make Florida cities a wonderful place to live,“ said Dr. Carmine Priore, president of the Florida League of Cities and vice mayor of Wellington. “Craig, Sam, and Greg, through their exemplary dedication and hard work help to provide an enhanced quality of life for all their citizens.”
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Today: Sunny with a high of 95
