Hero of the Year
The MVSNA Executive Committee is seeking nominations for heroes of the year.
Who has gone beyond and helped improve our neighborhood in 2007?
You can nominate fellow residents, police officers, government officials and elected officials, etc in fact anyone!
Nominate them to be one of MVSNAs Heroes of the Year to be awarded at a special event next year.
Nomination
All nominations need to be by the end of the year. The MVSNA Executive Committee will make the final decision.
2006 Winners
Tommy E. Barnes, Jr., master patrol officer with the Metropolitan Police Department, and Carlson Klapthor, former neighborhood service coordinator for Ward 2, were presented with the Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association's (MVSNA) first annual "Hero of the Year" award.
The "Hero of the Year" award was created to acknowledge city workers, elected officials, residents, or others who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Mount Vernon Square neighborhood. Officer Barnes and Mr. Klapthor were nominated by community residents and chosen by the MVNSA Executive Committee to receive the award.
Officer Barnes, who serves Patrol Service Area 308, worked tirelessly to rid the neighborhood of two nuisance properties that were havens for drug activity. Officer Barnes is recognized for being unfailingly accessible. He routinely attends community meetings, listens and responds to residents' concerns, and is readily available to the community by cell phone and e-mail. Officer Barnes has also hosted two "Partnership for Problem Solving" sessions, which are designed to train community volunteers in the tools and methods for solving neighborhood crime and disorder problems in coordination with city government agencies. He recently showed his characteristic leadership by preparing an action plan to address deep-rooted crime and by adopting blocks within the MVSNA area as part of the new program instituted by Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier.
"Officer Barnes is a valuable asset to our community and is unquestionably responsible for making our streets safer for residents and visitors," said MVSNA President Cary Silverman. "When city officials talk about what constitutes good community policing, they need to look no further than Officer Barnes as a model."
Mr. Klapthor served as neighborhood service coordinator and core team leader from December 2004 to December 2006 and during his tenure contributed to a better quality of life for those who live in Mount Vernon Square. Mr. Klapthor routinely coordinated the activities of various city agencies to resolve difficult problems that often posed safety and health concerns. Mr. Klapthor was a reliable presence at community meetings and took the time to walk through the neighborhood with residents to identify and address problem spots related to vacant and abandoned properties. Residents applauded Mr. Klapthor this summer for ridding the neighborhood of a construction dumpster that had been overflowing with garbage for months and constituted a serious health hazard.
"Mr. Klapthor is known as someone who can cut through the red tape to get urgent matters resolved in a timely manner," said Silverman. "His departure as the neighborhood service coordinator for Ward 2 will unquestionably be felt by the residents who have come to rely upon his professionalism and responsiveness."
Many thanks to the Warehouse for hosting our event. Check out their theatre, art & film and music offerings or get something to eat and drink in their bar & cafe.
The 2006 Award winners will be given their awards at our 2007 Awards Night at the Warehouse Cafe