Westwood can be proud of the fact that they are the neighbor of Dedham, named this April as one of the National Civic League’s finalists for the All America City Award, given out on June 17th, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. As a small business owner in Dedham, and as an employee of the counties most-watched television network, I’m proud to say that I have roots in both communities.
I still live in Westwood, and I enjoy doing so. I even plan on opening up an additional business there some day. However, on most week days, I consider myself part of the Dedham Community as well. In fact, I was so enthusiastic about Dedham’s chances of coming home on June 18th with a victory as Massachusetts’ first All-American City since Barnstable (2007) and Worcester (2000), that I was asked to join the delegation and complete for the highly sought after award.
I mention these things because I believe after my whole experience is over on June 18th, I’ll be able to take information to Westwood’s Economic Development Advisory Board, and get to work encouraging commercial and economic development in Westwood – something that Dedham prided itself on during the application process for the AACA. Sustainability and energy efficient buildings, a civic group dedicated to small business relationships and fostering growth within the community, and many other great strides Dedham had made over the past few years were the reasoning behind naming Dedham a finalist.
In Westwood, we can take note of these accomplishments and use them to further our own economic growth by building a similar model of success rallying around vocal community members and establishing a timeline for success. In a few years, Westwood can be on the same path to the All-America City Awards – and the increased federal and state grant funding that can come with this very prestigious designation.
With that being said, I’d like to invite all who are interested to Dedham’s “All-American” Send-Off Party, which will be held at the Dedham Square Country Store located at 626 High Street in Dedham, MA, from 7:30pm – 9:30pm on Monday, June 13, 2011. After many months of hard work by Dedham’s Town Administration, Youth Commission, Small Business Owners, Elected Officials, and Civic Activists, Dedham’s finally going out to Kansas City, MO on June 14th to compete for the All-America City Award in a theatrical performance. This is a great opportunity to help send the delegation out the right way – with a few drinks and light refreshments – hosted by one of Dedham’s most unique retail shops that embodies the renewable and sustainable message that brought Dedham to the AAC Finals, the Dedham Square Country Store. It’s a great opportunity to meet everyone who’s going out to KC on Tuesday and Wednesday, and to sneak a quick peek at some of the performance Dedham’s going to give to the judges! Come and bring your enthusiasm for Dedham to this event – along with family and friends!
We’d prefer if you RSVP by clicking on the Facebook Event Link.
