The last time Somerville won
the prestigious award-given by the National Civic League-was in 1972, a
time which some say mirrors this current age of new reforms,
innovations and getting through tough times. Somerville was a finalist
in this competition last year, but fell just short-coming in 11th
place-of winning a place on the top 10 communities list.

"Tough
times don't last, but tough people do," said Alderman at Large Jack
Connolly, who was among the 40 Somerville residents (ranging from ages
17 to 79, representing the high school, non profits, business and city
officials) who flew to Tampa, FL this week to demonstrate why
Somerville ranks above the rest. "No matter how tough it is with the
recession, we have seen how people in this community really care."

Mayor
Joseph Curtatone added that during tough times when people are stressed
is when people really come together. He also attributed Somerville's
prestigious recognition to its residents.

"The wonderful thing
about Somerville is that there are so many engaged citizens who want to
make the community better," Curtatone said, "And we've had that for
decades."

The National Civic League is a non-profit
organization that fosters innovative city building and reform. The All
America City award since 1949 has recognized the efforts of
extraordinary communities. Each year the National Civic League honors
ten communities for effectively addressing their most critical
challenges.

The overall theme Somerville chose was "Improved
Communication." The city highlighted its commitment to the MBTA's Green
Line extension through Somerville (which will be complete in 2014); the
efforts of the Somerville Care about Prevention program to educate
about and prevent substance abuse amongst the city's youth and the
adoption of "SomerStat," the 311 hot line number initiative that
streamlines how the public communicates with the city's offices.

"We
have learned how to communicate, and to do it well," Connolly said,
pointing out that 50 languages alone are spoken in the hallways of
Somerville High School. The city has always enjoyed a diverse
population, but over the past couple decades the influx of people from
all over the globe has accelerated at an unbelievable pace. And the
city has met and exceeded those needs.

"We have changed the image of the city by responding to the diverse population that lives here," he said.

Gene
Brune, who was the mayor from 1980 to 1990, remembers when the city won
the award 37 years ago. At that time he was an Alderman; Lester Ralph
was the mayor. The city back then had gone through some tough times,
marked by political unrest in the 1960s and an administration that was
not as "community oriented," Brune said.

Ralph introduced new
ideas and got away from the "business as usual" type of mentality.
Brune himself was one of the reform candidates who believed in new
programs and grass roots organizations. The city applied for the All
American City award, and won.

"It brought a new spirit to the
city," said Brune, likening that era to today, where Curtatone is the
"new blood" who has infused the city with innovative programs like 311
and keeping the extensive Green Line program on track.

"The cycle has begun again," Brune added, "And this will be very meaningful to the city to instill more pride."

Somerville
representatives flew to Tampa last Wednesday for the three-day affair.
The event included breaking up into workshops, seminars and receptions.

"I will never forget the experience I had in Tampa and I'll be
forever grateful to have been a part of it," said Maureen Bastardi,
said Ward 1 School Committee Representative.

In addition to
meeting people from 28 other cities across the country and making
friendships, Bastardi also got to know her fellow Somervillians better.

"There wasn't an air of competition, but one of camaraderie,"
she said. "I've lost my voice from cheering so loudly and proudly. I
always thought of Somerville as an All American City, but now we have
the official title to prove it."

Connolly said that the award
will have a lasting impact for marketing and applications for grants
and bonds for future projects.

The Board of Alderman will hold a special presentation about this award just prior to convening its meeting on Thursday night.