Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday visited Somerville High School to celebrate the city's All America City (AAC) status with community members. He designated the day as "Somerville All America City Day" and commended the strong community partnerships in the city.
The National Civic League (NCL), a nonprofit organization advocating citizen democracy, yearly presents 10 cities with the prestigious AAC Award, which recognizes grassroots activism and cooperation that effectively tackle community problems.
Somerville in July 2009 was named one of the winners, marking its second time garnering the award, which it first won in 1972. The city was one of 10 across the country to be honored with the recognition, selected from an original pool of 30 competitors.
Patrick, speaking at the event, praised Somerville's residents and businesses for working together to attain Somerville's community goals, a key judging criteria for the award. He noted that this was especially commendable given the economic situation.
"You are proof that challenging economic times are no excuse for [inaction]," he said.
Patrick called for Somerville's success to be used as a model for other cities across Massachusetts.
"We must build off of this success, forge new ways to lead us to lasting recovery and encourage other people to heed that same call to service," Patrick said.
Mayor of Somerville Joseph Curtatone also spoke at yesterday's celebration. He echoed Patrick in highlighting Somerville residents' high level of involvement in projects to improve the city.
"[The NCL] saw the innovation and success of this citywide campaign," Curtatone said. "They saw high school students volunteering in their community, young professionals getting involved in city government, people moving to Somerville, and more importantly, people staying in Somerville."
Curtatone credited in particular the Shape Up Somerville program, as well as the city's ongoing commitment to improving public transportation access as major impetuses for the award.
The experience and success of Shape Up Somerville, a healthy living campaign that began as a research project at Tufts, influenced first lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign, which aims to end the growing issue of child obesity within a generation. In recognition of this, Curtatone was invited to speak at the campaign's Feb. 9 launch in Washington D.C.
In regard to transportation options, Somerville has expanded the number of bicycle lanes and pedestrian friendly roads and upgraded infrastructure to improve traffic efficiency.
Curtatone emphasized that despite receiving the AAC Award in recognition of its achievements, the city still has a lot to accomplish.
The extension projects on the T's Green and Orange Lines and attempts to improve Somerville's public school system are two of the significant ongoing endeavors that the city has undertaken.
"Our future includes increased public transportation and improved public education for all of Somerville's children," Curtatone said. "Somerville, an All American City, has a pretty bright future."
The Green Line extension is scheduled to open in 2014 and will include up to six new stops in Somerville. The Orange Line extension, set to be open in 2013, will create a T stop at Assembly Square.
Meanwhile, Somerville's efforts to improve public education are already paying off, according to Superintendent of Schools Tony Pierantozzi.
Somerville High School was awarded a bronze medal in the U.S. World and News Report's annual ranking of high schools.
One of the Somerville initiatives that the NCL — which places a heavy emphasis on the importance of involving youth in community missions — lauded was Somerville Cares About Prevention, a citywide coalition partnering with high school students to decrease the prevalence of substance abuse in the area.
Somerville in 2008 was a finalist in the AAC competition but did not win. Its 2009 application for the award was boosted with increased examples of community activism and new initiatives such as Somerville Cares About Prevention and the mayor's Suicide Prevention Task Force.
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Jenny White contributed reporting to this article.
