In previous years, the All-America City Award competition got so techno-savvy, city presentations included hundreds of well-wishers back home participating via satellite. Organizers have cut out all the high-tech stuff this year and have asked cities to keep it basic (not boring, just grassroots). But team Everett, many of whose members left for Kansas City, Mo. Wednesday morning, should be in no doubt of this city’s support, satellite or no satellite.
Some of us who have paid attention to the city’s efforts to put together a presentation showcasing how Everett’s leaders and residents have worked together to improve life for so many, are feeling a little depressed about having to stay behind. Oh well, maybe next year. Until then, we’ll have to live vicariously through those who are charged with telling the judges about some of our city’s biggest bragging rights: Wiggums Hollow, Cocoon House and Everett Station. The projects are enchanting, life-changing and dazzling, respectively.
While we can’t imagine the judges would deny the city an All-America title this year, the experience of being selected and mingling with other cities should be enough to make the visit worthwhile to our team. Everett city spokeswoman Dale Preboski has attended the event several years in row, by herself at first, to get ideas from other innovative people about how to improve things and to see what all the excitement was about. The stories of team members from other cities across the country were so touching, she came home inspired. We could do this, she told officials here.
Many of the faces at Monday night’s final rehearsal were familiar — city leaders, representatives from the Everett Police Department, educators and community activists. Others weren’t so familiar. This was hardly a clique of who’s who in Everett. In fact, most of the team members only knew a couple of other people, Preboski said. By Saturday evening, they should be fast friends (less than a week isn’t enough time for traveling companions to drive each other nuts).
Meanwhile, the rest of us send our best wishes and wait to hear the good news.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
