Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/136775
Sarasota News Leader June 14, 2013 Page 58 • Patriot Plaza, a ceremonial amphitheater at ca Cities have shown the ability to innovate in such areas as job creation, neighborhood Sarasota National Cemetery. revitalization, crime reduction, new housing • Legacy of Valor, a community-connecting for low income people, improving education, campaign to honor veterans and their fam- and engaging youth," the website says. ilies. The award program was founded in 1949 when • Other community-driven projects focused a newspaper reporter approached the National Civic League (then known as the National Muon veterans. nicipal League) with the idea of More than 600 communities naming the 10 best-governed cithave won the All-America City ies each year. Instead, the league award, according to the Nacreated a program that recogtional Civic League — some as nized cities for civic achievements, the website points out. many as five times. "All-Ameri- CITY EMPLOYEE HONORED WITH NAACP YOUTH AWARD "For his extraordinary service toward the development of youth and families in the Sarasota community, Arthur Larkins, a supervisor at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex (RLTCC), will be honored as one of the 2013 Men of Valor by the Sarasota County Branch NAACP Youth Council," the City of Sarasota has announced. Larkins will be recognized during the Third Annual Men of Valor breakfast on Saturday, June 15, at 8 a.m. at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th St. Larkins coordinates all youth and adult athletics at the RLTCC, including basketball and volleyball leagues, tournaments and camps, and he interacts with the youth and families at Arthur Larkins/Contributed photo the facility on a daily basis, a city news release notes. He has been an employee with the City When the kids have any kind of an issue, he's the one they go to. He's truly an exceptional of Sarasota since October 2011, it adds. person. We're proud he's being recognized for "Larkins is much more than a recreation fahis dedication to the youth of our community." cilities supervisor. He's a mentor and a role model," Jerry Fogle, RLTCC manager, noted For more information regarding the breakfast in the release. "We all look up to him here. ceremony, including ticket prices, call 355-2097.