Mayor Lionel C. Guay, Jr., is announcing that the City of Lewiston has won yet another award, the Strategic Leadership and Governance Excellence Award bestowed by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

ICMA is the professional and educational organization for chief appointed managers, administrators, and assistants in cities, towns, counties, and regional entities throughout the world.

Lewiston was selected as a program excellence winner due to the revitalization of its Southern Gateway, described as a "Strategic Municipal Image Campaign." Once known as the bowery of Lewiston and the topic of many a joke, ICMA is touting the Southern Gateway as a stellar example of public-private partnerships.

Bennett noted, "I am honored to accept this award on behalf of Lewiston's tremendous progress within the Gateway. That area of the City is now a place where people want to be and do business. Clearly, the revitalization has been successful due to community involvement, collaboration, and visionary decisions, and the success has also sparked growth and development throughout the rest of the community."

Bennett notes that for many years Lewiston, Maine, had suffered with "a bleak image that hung over the city like a dark cloud, remaining there until Lewiston started believing in itself." He states that the former condition of the Southern Gateway was one of the reasons for that image.

"Lewiston has experienced a renaissance throughout the community that is best exemplified by the successes in the Southern Gateway, surpassing anything ever dreamed possible," adds Bennett when reflecting on the siting of Oxford Networks, VIP Auto Parts, an already expanding Andover College, Northeast Bank, the Pontiac Parking Garage, the renovation of The Public Theatre, and the soon-to-be open Central Business Service Center. Infrastructure and streetscape improvements have also added to the Gateway's new appeal.

For communities, the ICMA awards are "a reaffirmation that good government is alive and well in our cities and counties, our towns, and our villages," said Michael Willis, 2005-06 ICMA President.

Since 1968, the ICMA Annual Awards Program has recognized hundreds of local governments, their managers, assistants, and staff for their outstanding achievements and excellence in public service.

The award will be presented to the City of Lewiston and ICMA members City Administrator James A. Bennett and Deputy City Administrator Phil Nadeau at ICMA's 91st Annual Conference in September.

For further information contact: Mayor Lionel C. Guay, Jr.,  City of Lewiston, 784-2951, TTY/TDD: 784-5999
 

FOR MORE INFO on any Press Releases contact:
Dot Perham-Whittier - Community Relations Coordinator
Lewiston City Hall
784-2951 - Extension 110
dottie@ci.lewiston.me.us