Deerfield Beach

All-America City? Maybe

Sun-Sentinel
June 14, 2001
Provided by Burrelle's Information Services

South Floridians are once again asking in a national spotlight that is shining on examples of excellence in local government.

Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach and South Miami are among 29 national finalists competing for the coveted prize of being named an "All-America City."

The National Civic League will announce 10 winners on June 23 in Atlanta. The League honors cities for showing excellence in identifying problems and coming up with innovative solutions in a comprehensive way that involves all segments of the community and improves residents' quality of life.

Deerfield Beach highlighted three grassroots projects that made a significant difference worthy of public appreciation and national honors:

One is the city's designation as America's first Project Impact community. It stresses grassroots creativity, not government dictates, in preventing and mitigating hurricane damage. Model programs helped nearly 200 households protect themselves from storms and trained 300 people as members of an emergency response team. Other cities around America are now emulating these programs.

The second project was the volunteer, nonprofit Northeast Focal Point Center, providing a wide range of health and social services to children, adults and senior citizens. Public-private partnerships and collaborations across agency jurisdictional lines made success possible. The center has also become a training ground for university students.

The third project is the Fort Riverbend Playground, a community-built 20,000-square-foot facility in Pioneer Park that was dedicated in January. Private fund-raising, started by the Kiwanis Club, and attracting donations from kids themselves, turned the dream into reality.

This contest isn't about being a "perfect" city, and Deerfield Beach officials admit some shortcomings.

Being named an All-America City brings positive stories in newspapers, national magazines and on TV. Government leaders from around the nation and the world travel to winning cities to talk to officials and residents about their programs. Winning cities attract new and expanded businesses, improved tourism and new residents.

Every city that enters this contest becomes a winner, because its entry demonstrates a commitment to develop and upgrade the "civic infrastructure" it needs. Other cities should learn from and emulate the examples set by Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach and South Miami.

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