WOW—our contingent of 53 leaves for Tampa next Tuesday. Truly this has been one of the most fulfilling initiatives with which I have ever worked. There is so much value to hearing stories, sharing life with people that we might not ordinarily do so—to be involved has been a blessing of grand proportions. Most communities that will be represented in Tampa will have gotten most of their funding from public coffers. By no stretch do I suggest that we haven't been supported by the City of Statesville, but the focus of the whole effort is to build collaborative partnerships. The citizens of the community and organizations within have provided the vast majority of funding for these participants. Perhaps THAT says as much about Statesville as anything. We will be proud distributors of Thorlo socks while in Tampa—Thorlo's being the best socks on the planet! We'll have people rockin' in Troutman Chair products, we'll be touting the beauty of the Carolina BalloonFest, our three projects (Fifth Street Ministries, Boys & Girls Club of Piedmont and Mi Familia Institute) will be topics of great discussion. We will be successful in being considered one of ten All-America Cities if we truly can convey the spirit of community that embraces us all. Statesville—THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY! (David Bradley, Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce)

The whole process for All-America City is going well. So many people are working hard and volunteering efforts. Just got a call from Jim Throneburg at Thorlo Socks. For the next 30 days, Thorlo will donate $1 per pair for every pair of socks sold at the Thorlo Outlet Store (1525-B Cinema Drive) in Statesville. This is an incredibly generous opportunity that creates a win/win/win/WIN scenario:

♦ Spend local money with a local retailer protecting jobs and helping create/maintain critical sales tax base.

♦ Because Thorlo is a local manufacturer, you also help maintain local manufacturing jobs.

♦ These are recognized as the best socks in the world—protect yourself and your own health—wear Thorlo Socks.

♦ You help send someone that might not be able to afford to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip—to promote our home.

Thorlo Socks—Your feet will feel better!

Also, be on the lookout, June 2 at Chick-Fil-A in Statesville from 5-9 pm, it's All-America City night. A portion of the proceeds from each ticket will be donated to the effort. Come on out and meet representatives from each of the three featured projects, perhaps hear the Statesville High School Drum Line and enjoy some wonderful food.

June 6—All-American Karaoke at Signal Hill Mall (more information to follow!!!)

June 12—Piedmont HealthCare Friday after Five (5:30-8:30 pm). Final community kickoff before heading to Tampa!!

(David Bradley, Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce)

BRAND NEW! As of today, you can help send Statesville's team to the All-America City Finals in Tampa AND honor your own favorite All-America Citizen. It's a bargain at only $25.00 and a great opportunity to say thank you to someone who has made a difference in your life. Check it out on our Honoring an All-America Citizen page.

Did you miss the list of terrific Sponsors for our All-America City campaign in this morning's Record & Landmark? Not to worry, the complete list has been added to this web site. You will find them at our new Community Sponsors page.

Memorial Day Weekend is just around the corner and t-shirts (our favorite uniform of summer) are back. Have you picked up your Statesville All-America City Finalist t-shirt? Stop by the Chamber of Commerce to get yours today. At only $10.00, they are another great deal. Show everyone you support out community's effort to bring home the All-America City award. (Sherry Johnson, GrafX by Sherry)

We're Statesville, the city that stays on the move,
Like the little engine, we've something to prove,
We love our downtown, so vibrant and strong,
And showing the world how we do get along.

Our leader, our mayor, one real tall Lebanese,
He leads from up high, with a wit and an ease,
From Statesville since birth, he loves one and all,
And truly believes that no one must fall.

It's simple what happens when you love fellow man,
You see the big problems, come up with a plan,
Then leaders come forward, and workers do too,
Confident in what our city can do.

Economy's tough, no one cares, some would say,
But we didn't let that get in the way,
We knew Latinos, the children, the homeless,
All could be helped, if we had success.

Our shelter for homeless, their haven, hot food,
Helped so very many, but the building- not good,
Donations for food, instead went for repair,
And with many in need, that just wasn't fair.

Where there's love, true belief, money will come,
And then all those people to get the work done,
Our new 5th Street Ministry now helps even more,
Of our brothers and sisters who don't own a front door.

Liberty's arm rises o'er New York Bay,
To welcome the masses, the yearning, they say,
To be part of freedom, to prosper, to pray,
So Statesville too, helps them on their way

When Latinos in Statesville need guidance and love,
Mi Familia gives help as if sent from above,
Their mission helps those, so new to our town,
Become part of our city, and succeed on their own.

Children are our future, we know that it's true,
So how could we help, just what could we do?
A new Boys and Girls Club, now that just might,
Help some of our kids to learn wrong from right.

The economy, the money, the pitfalls, too many,
But here in good Statesville we raised every penny,
Because helping the kids who may fall to strife,
Is one of the best ways to help save a life.

When asked about Statesville, we all tell what's good,
But we're also a town that does what it should,
To help fellow man to grow and stand tall,
‘Cause helping each other makes it great for us all.

5th Street, Mi Familia, now that's a great start,
Plus the new Boys and Girls Club, dear in our heart,
All-America Status, we'd be proud and have fun,
But with what we've accomplished, we've already won.

 

It's been just over a year now that we have been officially working on the All-America City campaign and now we are really ramping up our work. Looks like our fund raising efforts are now netting a little over $18,000. We still have more to go, but we have been grateful for the generosity so willingly shown. This Friday, May 8—we kick off the public phase of our campaign at Piedmont HealthCare Friday After Five coordinated by the Downtown Statesville Development Corporation and the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce. It'll be a great night (NO RAIN) so plan to come out and enjoy yourself at the intersection of Mulberry and West Broad Streets from %:30 - 8:30 pm. (David Bradley—Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce)

It's been just over a year now that we have been officially working on the All-America City campaign and now we are really ramping up our work. Looks like our fund raising efforts are now netting a little over $18,000. We still have more to go, but we have been grateful for the generosity so willingly shown. This Friday, May 8—we kick off the public phase of our campaign at Piedmont HealthCare Friday After Five coordinated by the Downtown Statesville Development Corporation and the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce. It'll be a great night (NO RAIN) so plan to come out and enjoy yourself at the intersection of Mulberry and West Broad Streets from %:30 - 8:30 pm. (David Bradley—Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce)

I am writing in support of the community effort to gain "All-America City" status. There are many positives in our City, and achieving this honor would be a strong indication to visitors and prospective new residents of the high quality of life and forward-thinking leadership we have in Statesville.

We would welcome the opportunity to market Statesville as an All-America City, along with our recent designation as the Number One Micropolitan area for new and existing industry growth. This powerful combination of accolades would place Statesville as a clear leader in both community and economic development.

This designation would be a further sign of our progress and the opportunities we are able to offer to our citizens. The All-America City stamp would be another of the many positives to share with prospective new companies as they compare Statesville with other potential locations. (C. Michael Smith, Greater Statesville Development Corporation)

The sun is shining and Spring has sprung. As I was driving down Broad Street this morning coming to work I was reminded again how fortunate we are. Tim Dearman gave a very nice presentation at the Thursday Rotary Club yesterday. We do need to raise some funds but, perhaps more importantly, raise some fun! We've got great plans for community involvement through community celebrations, stickers, car magnets, window hangings, more celebrations, newspaper/radio info, etc. 

60 days until we head to Tampa—come join us.

(David Bradley, Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce)

What a great community which we have CHOSEN to call home! As we began considering an application to the National Civic League as a prospective All-America City over a year ago, we were prodded to consider some of the extraordinary challenges this community faces. We felt like some of the greatest challenges we face are embracing the diverse cultures within the community. We don't need to be a color blind society but a colorFUL society. We want to elevate the profile of the organizations that serve that purpose. The All-America City program recognizes 10 communiites across the country that excel in creating civic partnerships to address real issues. Statesville does that.

We kick off our All-America City celebration and campaign on May 8 at Piedmont HealthCare Friday after Five at the end of West Broad Street. Come on out and enjoy great music, good food and fun with your neighbors. Come Celebrate Statesville! Celebrate it all! (David Bradley, Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce)

Besides thinking about our booth in Tampa at the Civic Action Fair, my other task is developing and maintaining this website. So if you are reading this, I can safely assume it is out there in cyberspace. However, I realize nothing is ever absolutely perfect. So if you see any problems, I hope you'll let me know. I'll make those corrections or additions just as quickly as I can. The goal here is to give you information about this process and get you excited about what's happening. Any recommendations would be helpful! 

By the way, kudos and many thanks to CJ Sudman and staff at Sir Speedy for our great looking Statesville 2009 All-America City Finalist logo produced in record time. You'll be seeing a lot of it in the coming weeks. Take pride in it, Statesville, you earned it!

Finally, if you are tired of hearing from me after only three posts, I'll try not to take it personally and promise that you'll be hearing other voices soon. Keep checking back. Until then . . . . Celebrate Statesville, celebrate it all!