Date: June 28, 2004

Jorge M. Gonzalez Receives 2004 City Manager of the Year

All winners were announced Saturday at the Florida Cities of Excellence Awards Ceremony
hosted by the Florida League of Cities

Miami Beach, FL - The Florida League of Cities announced that Jorge M. Gonzalez, City of Miami Beach has been selected as the City Manager of the Year. Gonzalez's selection was announced at the Florida Cities of Excellence Awards ceremony held Saturday, June 26 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.

The award was given in recognition of Gonzalez's commitment to public service, innovative thinking and highly regarded accomplishments.

"It's an honor for us to have received this award," said Gonzalez. "To be recognized for doing what I love to do is truly an amazing thing. Public service is my way of giving back to the community that has given me so much to appreciate and be proud of."

Gonzalez's professionalism and rapport with colleagues was also noted. Gonzalez is highly regarded and viewed by city officials and co-workers as a true leader, who's always determined to go far and beyond to get the job done.

The City Manager of the Year Award was one of nine awards presented during the Florida Cities of Excellence Awards ceremony. Other award categories include: Florida City of Excellence Award, City Spirit Award, Mayor of the Year, Council Member of the Year, City Clerk of the Year, City Attorney of the Year, City Finance Officer of the Year and City Employee of the Year.

The other four finalists include: Lee R. Feldman, City of Palm Bay; Bruce Haddock, City of Oldsmar and Richard Kelton, City of Palm Coast.

"Our city managers help make up the backbone of our great Florida cities," said Dottie Reeder, Florida League of Cities president and mayor of Seminole. "Jorge Gonzalez serves as a prototypical role model for other public servants across the state, and indeed the nation, who work every day to provide the best in municipal service to their citizens. Jorge and the other finalists deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments, dedication and hard work."

The Florida Cities of Excellence Awards program is designed to focus public attention on all the good things cities do to improve the quality of life in Florida and honor outstanding city leaders and cities for their excellent, innovative and highly praised programs.

The City Manager of the Year honors a city manager who displays exceptional excellence in the following areas: judgment, initiative, integrity, innovation, professionalism, commitment and citizen relations. In order to be nominated, prospective candidates had to have, among other things, a unanimous vote from their city council/commission and/or by their professional association.

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