WASHINGTON — Could your small community of 10,000 or fewer residents use an extra $5,000? How about an extra $1,000?

Has an elected or appointed official in your town or city spearheaded a particular project that ultimately benefitted the community at large?

If your town and one of its leaders fit this description, you will want to nominate that local government official for the new American Community Leadership Award, Three winners in the nationwide contest will bring home cash prizes for their towns. The grand prize is $5,000; the two runner-up prizes are $1,000 each.

The winning local government officials will be recognized for displaying the highest standards of dedication, ability, creativity and leadership in their public service.

Examples of such commendable dedication include local government cost-cutting; coordination of a major volunteer effort; effectiveness in advancing the local government's goals in the state or federal legislature; establishing new local services or programs; or success in implementing local development projects.

Priority will be given to local projects using local efforts.

The contest is sponsored by the National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) and is supported by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. The deadline for nominations is April 20, 1994. The contest is open to local governments of 10,000 or less population and to NATaT members of any population size.

The three winners will be honored during NATaT's annual conference in Washington, D.C. In 1994, the conference, known as America's Town Meeting, will take place September 11-13.

For more information and/or to receive an official nomination form, contact the American Community Leadership Award, National Association of Towns and Townships, 1522 K St., N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20005; (202) 737-5200; fax (202) 289-7996.

Page 14 / Illinois Municipal Review / February 1994