In an effort to tie the bonds of community closer, Duluth Mayor Roger J. Reinert recently announced the inception of a Good Neighbor Award, a heartening move intended to inspire civic engagement and recognize the selfless actions of the city's residents. According to a social media post by the City of Duluth, MN Government, Reinert's call to action came during his State of the City address, where he encouraged Duluthians to actively participate in making improvements in their immediate surroundings.
"Simple acts of picking up litter on an evening dog walk, freshening and fixing the things we can, coaching youth sports, and checking in on elderly neighbors show others we care," Mayor Reinert was quoted as saying. "When we care, others will care, too. We know many Duluthians are quietly doing this work and have been for some time. The Good Neighbor Award is intended to highlight those efforts." These words, more than acknowledging the already present spirit of altruism, are designed to further ignite a sense of communal responsibility amongst the residents.
Residents are invited to nominate an individual they believe epitomizes the very essence of a good neighbor. The city's website hosts a nomination form where people can put forward someone who, in their eyes, has gone the extra mile in being a beacon of positivity and support in their neighborhood. Details needed for nomination include a brief rationale on why the individual deserves recognition. The nomination process is open until 11:59 pm on December 31, 2024, providing ample time for community members to reflect and act.
The criteria for the Good Neighbor Award are straightforward: Nominees must be City of Duluth residents. This ensures that the award remains an intimate affair, celebrating the efforts of those within the immediate geographic bounds. Mayor Reinert is set to present the inaugural award at the 2025 State of the City address.
