CITY OF HALLANDALE BEACH

MEMORANDUM

DATE: October 24, 2007

TO:                  D. Mike Good, City Manager

FROM:            Marian McCann-Colliee, Director, Human Services Department

SUBJECT:     Presentation of Martin Luther King Jr Humanitarian Award. (Staff: Director, Human Services)

PURPOSE:

To seek City Commission approval of the nominee selection for the 2007 Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award recipient. 

BACKGROUND:

The Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Humanitarian Award was established in November, 2002.  As part of the program, the Human Services Advisory Board annually selects nominees for the MLK Humanitarian Award.

DISCUSSION

On Tuesday, October 24, 2007, the Human Services Advisory Board met to review nomination applications submitted and selected a recipient for the 2007 MLK Humanitarian Award.  This year’s nominees are:

1.  Carmen Davis                                         - Resident; City Employee; Church Activist

2.  Eddie Flecher-Jackson                           - Deceased City Resident; Teacher and 

                                                                       Principal

3.  Eric S. George                                         - Resident; Community Activist; Business  

                                                                       Owner

4.  Pastor Anthony Sanders                         - Resident; Pastor and Community Activist

Carmen Davis is a long time resident of the City of Hallandale Beach and has been employed with the City for over 23 years.   Carmen is active in the Hallandale Beach Community and is a well known spiritual activist in her church.  Carmen is an all around City employee.  She is best known for the joy and love she shares with her co-workers. 

Eddie Flecher-Jackson is a deceased resident of the City.  Prior to her death she worked vigorously in the Broward County School Board as a teacher, and retired from the School Board as a Principal.   Outside of her employment she volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, and mentored, motivated and inspired many in the Hallandale Beach Community.

Eric S. George was born and raised in the Hallandale Beach Community.  Eric still resides in the community.  He is the owner of Eric S. George Funeral Home located in the City of West Park and Fresh Catch Seafood Restaurant in Hallandale Beach.  Outside of his business, Mr. George is well known in the Hallandale Beach community for his generosity and his belief in giving back to the community.  Continuously, for the past seven (7) years, once a year, Eric George, sponsors a luncheon for the seniors at the Austin Hepburn Senior Mini Center.   Eric purchased uniforms for the 100 Pound, PAL Football Team.  Each year Eric sponsors and hosts the Annual Kids Night Out Event at the Eric S. George Funeral Home on Halloween night.  The event provides for a safe place, with food, fun and entertainment, for children on Halloween night.  Eric is an all around, “Humanitarian”.

Pastor Anthony Sanders is also a long time resident of the City of Hallandale Beach.  He is the CEO of Eagles Wings Development Center and Pastor of Higher Vision Ministries, Inc.  Through his non-profit organization, Eagles Wings, his faith based church and his affiliation with Weed and Seed, Pastor Saunders is known for his work in the community.  Pastor Saunders helps young people feel a sense of accomplishments, and he works to help the less fortunate in the community.

Total nominations received for each nominee are as follows:

Nominees Total Nominations

1.  Carmen Davis                                                     1

2.  Eddie Flecher-Jackson                                       1

3.  Eric S. George                                                     4

4.  Pastor Anthony Sanders                                     1

The Human Services Advisory Board recommends Eric S. George as the recipient of the 2007 Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award.  Of the four (4) nomination applications submitted, Eric S. George’s applications ranked the highest based on the following:

· Long time City of Hallandale Beach resident.

· His belief in giving back to the community, and not seeking recognition.

· As owner of Eric S. George Funeral Home, he works behind the scene, and is willing to help families in need of funeral services, when financial resources are not available.

· Sponsors, what has now become the Annual Black History Luncheon for the Austin Hepburn Senior Mini Center. 

· Uniform sponsorship for the 100 Pound PAL Football Team

The MLK Humanitarian Award Nomination Applications and minutes of the Human Services Advisory Board Meeting are attached for review. 

RECOMMENDATION:

The Human Services Advisory Board respectfully requests the City Manager place this item on the November 7, 2007 Commission Agenda for approval. If approved, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award recipient will be presented with a plaque and recognized throughout the year at various special City sponsored events.

MMC/CTD

Attachments

Reviewed:

_______________________________                                                          __________

D. Mike Good, City Manager                                                                             Date

_____Approved                _____Disapproved                _____Hold for Discussion