Strong Turnout at Third Annual Kuehn Community Preservation Awards
Jan. 20, 2014: Close to 150 CPA advocates, legislators, and other friends of CPA gathered at the State House for this year’s Kuehn Community Preservation Awards. The event honored individuals who have been significant contributors to the success of CPA in their community. Attendees representing CPA communities from Martha’s Vineyard to West Springfield came out in support of award recipients and to help demonstrate the importance of CPA to state legislators.
In addition to the presentation of awards, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo addressed the audience and discussed how he has watched CPA grow and enrich communities around the Commonwealth since its inception in 2000.
"The CPA draws from the state's strengths, both past and present,"Speaker DeLeo said. "And in doing so, it gives us a vehicle to turn our challenging issues, troubled neighborhoods and untapped assets into economic drivers."
The Speaker was introduced by longtime CPA champion and legislative sponsor, Representative Stephen Kulik, who discussed the profound impact CPA has had in developing affordable housing, protecting open space, preserving historic resources, and creating outdoor recreation facilities. To date, over $1.2 billion has been raised to support more than 6,600 community preservation projects.
Senator Cynthia Stone Creem also took the podium and spoke about her shared belief in the need for continued state support for CPA. Late last year, the statewide CPA Trust Fund received an additional $25 million from the state’s budget surplus, and Senator Creem urged those in attendance to make sure the funding continues this year. Following the event, many attendees visited the offices of their legislators to discuss the trust fund.
The Kuehn Community Preservation Awards were developed to honor the memory and work of Robert H. Kuehn, Jr. Bob was actively involved in the process of drafting and passing the Community Preservation Act. He was also one of the founder and main supporters of the Community Preservation Coalition, and served as Vice Chair of its Steering Committee until his death in June of 2006.
Recipients of the Third Annual Kuehn Community Preservation Awards
Howard Baker-Smith, Dartmouth
Derrill Bazzy, Aquinnah
Paul Boudo, West Springfield
Colleen Brown, Swansea
Janet Chayes, Conway
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone & Meridith Levy, Somerville
Edmund Hands & Avery Lee Williams, Easton
Philippe Jordi, Martha's Vineyard
Alfred Lima, Fall River
Cheri Vallone Rigby, Ashland
Further Resources:
- House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo's remarks about CPA at the event.
- Read the State House News Service article on the event: "CPA Law Supporters Celebrate its Impact on Mass Cities and Towns."
- Kuehn Recipient Al Lima of Fall River was written about in the Herald News article "City Activist Honored at Statehouse for CPA Efforts in Fall River."
- An article in The Republican, "West Springfield's Paul Boudo receives third annual Kuehn Community Preservation Award," discusses one Kuehn recipient's recent honor and impact on CPA.
- Mayor Curtatone and Meridith Levy's community preservation award was featured in an article, "Somerville Mayor and SCC Director Recipients of the 2014 Kuehn Community Preservation Award," by the Somerville News Weekly.
- The Vineyard Gazette published a story on two island recipients Derrill Bazzy and Philippe Jordi in an article titled “Vineyard Housing Advocates Honored.”
- Colleen Brown’s recognition was featured in the Herald News’ article “Swansea conservation agent to receive Community Preservation Award.”
- Recipient Janet Chayes’ award was promoted in the article “Conway CPA Chair to be honored,” published by The Recorder.
- An article in the Easton Journal titled "Easton's Hands, Williams honored at Statehouse for preservation efforts" discusses Edmund Hands and Avery Lee William's CPA contributions, including their role in the historic Ames Shovel Shop project.