By Jocelyn Bogen
July 14, 2008

The U.S. Conference of Mayors and Waste Management on June 21 awarded Mayors Jerry E. Abramson of Louisville (KY) and Roy D. Buol of Dubuque (IA) with First Place honors in the 2008 Annual City Livability Awards Program.

Abramson won for his Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Program, which is a highly visible, long-term program designed to create a community-wide effort to encourage and support physical activity, healthy eating and lifestyles. Abramson has rallied 150 partners from businesses, academia, schools, community-based organizations and professional societies to serve on the advisory council and become involved. Activities range from holding family-oriented events involving 4,000 people to participating in Hike and Bike events, to targeting health policy within schools, and planning the environment design to support increased physical activity.

This year’s First Place Small City Award was given to Buol for the America’s River Project. The America’s River Project is a $188 million revitalization effort to transform 90 acres at the Port of Dubuque into a destination that captures the historical, environmental, educational and recreational majesty of the Mississippi River. By reclaiming brownfield property for mixed-use development and creating a place where people connect with the river, it provided a much needed boost to Dubuque’s struggling economy, tourism, and image.

Outstanding Achievement Awards were named for cities with populations of 100,000 or more: Chicago; Honolulu; Seattle; and Tampa. Outstanding Achievement Awards for cities with populations of fewer than 100,000 people went to: Wilmington (DE); Cerritos (CA); Goodyear (AZ); and Frisco (TX).

Honorable Mention Citations were awarded to cities with populations of 100,000 or more to Columbus (OH); Fort Collins (CO); Las Vegas; Orlando (FL); and Stamford (CT). Cities with populations of less than 100,000 that received Honorable Mentions were Aguadilla (PR); Albany (NY); Avondale (AZ); Coral Gables (FL); and Sugar Land (TX).

"We pride ourselves in being a trusted and valued community partner. Waste Management’s nearly 20-year partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors on the City Livability Program evidences that as well as our strong commitment to "livability" as a vital part of urban life. We applaud the honoree mayors and their vigilance in continually seeking to improve the quality of life in their cities," said Barry H. Caldwell, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Corporate Communications of Waste Management, Inc.

For the past 29 years, cities have competed for this very prestigious award, which recognizes mayoral leadership for developing and implementing programs that improve the quality of life in America’s cities. Conference CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran said, "Our City Livability Awards Program gives the Conference a chance to highlight mayoral leadership in making urban areas cleaner, safer and more livable. We are grateful to Waste Management for its 19 years of support of the City Livability Awards Program, and for the opportunity to showcase the creativity and commitment of mayors and city governments across the country."

The judges were former mayors who selected the winning cities from a pool of over 200 applicants based on mayoral leadership, creativity and innovation, and broad impact on the quality of life for residents.