By Jennifer Hoegg
The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com
Windsor is one of 19 Nova Scotia communities nominated for the newly launched Lieutenant Governor’s Community Spirit Award.
Mayor Anna Allen says she “is thrilled that it has gone forward and (Windsor is) being considered.”
Windsor’s was a joint application on behalf of the Town, Windsor People First, Windsor Hockey Heritage Society, Windsor Curling Club and the Windsor-West Hants Pumpkin Festival.
When Allen saw the notice of the awards, she knew Windsor should submit a nomination. “I’m always looking for things like that. We have such a great community, why not be recognized at another level?”
Her Honour Lt. Gov. Mayann Francis is also thrilled with the response to the new annual award: “It shows the tremendous pride that exists throughout Nova Scotia. Vibrant neighbourhoods are a legacy that will benefit Nova Scotia for years to come.”
Announced during Francis’ installation speech in September 2006, the Award’s “goal is to recognize and honour communities that work for their citizens” and to discover communities that can “ be held up as models for others to follow,” says Stephen Bornais in the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
Nominations are now under review by a diverse panel of Nova Scotian community leaders under the direction of the host agency, Metro United Way.
Citizen involvement is a major consideration, Bomais noted. “We’re looking for a community where citizens are active and engaged in all aspects of public life- recreation to political life to cultural life.”
Windsor’s people are what make it a spirited community, Allen pointed out. She is particularly impressed with the volunteers that have helped to bring both a new library and an aquatic centre in the past few years and the Windsor Curling Club’s campaign to rebuild the curling rink. “For a town our size -- a small community where dollars are tight -- for this number of projects to be completed, it’s wonderful.
“This is what brings people to our community -- the people, the interest and love they have,” she said. “Windsor is moving and changing because of vibrant people doing things for our community”
The nomination process is based on a process of ‘story sharing.’ Residents submitted stories, in writing and video, about their community.
There were strict guidelines, Allen noted, limiting applicants to 10 one-sided pages, with supporting letters of no more than 300 words in length and a short video clip. One to four successful communities will be announced in February.
Winners will receive a trophy from Nova Scotia Crystal, courtesy of award sponsors Nova Scotia Power and Transcontinental Media and a community party attended by Her Honour Mayann Francis.
More information is available on the Awards website:
communityspiritaward.ca
