Tempe honors residents with Neighbor of the Year awards

One resident wins highest honor, the Chuck Malpede Neighbor of the Year

Tempe, Arizona – The City of Tempe recognized the contributions of its most involved residents by presenting the Neighbor of the Year awards during the 2009 Neighborhood Workshop and Awards on April 18.

Residents attended workshops at the free, half-day event after Mayor Hugh Hallman and the City Council presented awards to those who have distinguished themselves through service to the community. Keynote speaker Donovan Rypkema also gave a presentation on “Saving Our Heritage Buildings: Why Historic Preservation Helps Strengthen a Community,” sponsored by the Tempe Historic Preservation Foundation.

Mark Lymer – During his time as Chair of the Board in the Mitchell Park West neighborhood, he has organized neighborhood events, including the first “Art on the Fence in Mitchell Park” exhibition, worked actively with residents, local businesses and the city staff to address potential issues such as code violations, mosquito breeding areas, messy alleys and overgrown landscaping. He is currently developing his fourth Neighborhood Grant application idea; a Community Garden in Mitchell Park. Lymer has secured other neighborhood grants for trees and benches in Mitchell Park in the past.

Bob and Dee Haver and Gary and Pam Schrack – The Havers and the Schracks have led the Superstition Neighborhood Association for many years, encouraging positive involvement from all neighbors in addressing a variety of neighborhood concerns, including neighborhood crime, park enhancement and alley clean-up. They took the lead in making dramatic improvements to Joyce Park by obtaining neighborhood grants to add an accessible walkway, install a climbing wall and improve other playground amenities.

Chuck Malpede Neighbor of the Year – One Tempe resident was selected to receive the Chuck Malpede Neighbor of the Year Award. The award is named for Chuck Malpede, a high school history teacher and resident of the Maple Ash Neighborhood who helped the city establish the Neighborhood Services program in 1987.

The 2009 Chuck Malpede Neighbor of the Year is Linda Knutson. Nominated by the Mitchell Park East neighborhood, Knutson has been essential in organizing many neighborhood projects and events. Highlights include the Annual Alley Clean-up Day, block parties, the neighborhood watch, neighborhood public art projects and grants, traffic calming measures and the Childsplay’s integration into the neighborhood during 2007-2008. Knutson has also worked closely and effectively with City of Tempe staff to seek solutions to neighborhood issues and conflicts including the flood irrigation service. As a result, the neighborhood has a very strong relationship with local beat police officers, the traffic calming team, the irrigation crew, firefighters, and the Mayor – all of whom are invited and often drop by our neighborhood events and celebrations.

Complete nomination forms for each award recipient are available upon request. Call Neighborhood Services at 480-350-8883. Visit the Neighborhood Services Web page anytime at www.tempe.gov/neighborhoods

Source:  City of Tempe

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