Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Wilmington, N.C. - Three individuals and two organizations providing exceptional public service were in the spotlight during the fourth annual Public Service Recognition Reception held Thursday evening, May 25, at the University of North Carolina Wilmington Wise Alumni House.

The celebration was sponsored by the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program at UNCW, the Southeastern North Carolina Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), and the Quality Enhancement for Nonprofit Organizations (QENO). New Hanover County Manager Bruce Shell gave the keynote address.

Recognition was given to the Public Servant of the Year in local and state government and non-profit arenas and the Public Organization of the Year for both government and non-profits. A Special Award for Exceptional Public Service was also presented to Griff Weld, a concerned local citizen and volunteer board member of numerous organizations.

2006 Public Service Award Winners

Public Servants of the Year

Government Sector

Sterling Cheatham, manager, City of Wilmington

Lillian Salcines, assistant district attorney, New Hanover County (based in Brunswick County)

Nonprofit Sector

Connie Hendrix, executive director, New Hope Clinic (Southport) which provides health care services to low income individuals.

Public Organization of the Year

Government Sector

Senior/Youth Community Center, Town of Bolton

Nonprofit Sector

LINC, Inc. of Wilmington, which provides transitional services, including housing and employment, for individuals leaving the prison system

Other nominees this year include:

Public Servants of the Year

Art Costantini, area director, Southeastern Center for Mental Health (covers Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender Counties)

Denver Brown, PATH counselor, Southeastern Center for Mental Health

Laurie Myles, executive director, Lower Cape Fear Hospice

Dexter Hayes, planning director, New Hanover County (recently retired)

Glenda Pridgen, administrative officer, Pender County

Linda Bethune, town clerk, Caswell Beach

Public Organizations of the Year

Parks, Recreation & Downtown Services Division, City of Wilmington

Tileston Clinic

Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, Inc.

The reception was underwritten by Southern Corrosion, Inc. and the UNCW Division for Public Service and Continuing Studies.

For additional information, contact Tom Barth, chair of the UNCW Department of Political Science, 910/962-3385.