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All-America City 2004

By Scott Smith
Record Staff Writer
Published Sunday, June 13, 2004

Stockton's civic pride got a big boost Saturday when it was named one of 10 All America Cities, marking the second time in five years that the city has earned top honors from the National Civic League.

Members of the Stockton delegation won over a panel of judges at the competition in Atlanta by showing, in songs and skits, how civic, community and business groups work together to overcome challenges associated with poverty, health care and gang violence.

Stockton competed against 29 other U.S. cities for the prestigious award that recognizes communities in which citizens have worked together to solve problems. Stockton also won the award in 1999, the only other time it competed for recognition.

A delegation of about 60 Stockton community leaders and residents traveled last week to Atlanta where they presented the city's ongoing self-improvement efforts.

The delegation did not try to mask Stockton's problems while presenting itself in a 10-minute skit, delegation members said in phone interviews.

In one scene, a young man is shot dead amid gang warfare.

"We're not a perfect city," said Jose Gomez, a former gang leader in Stockton who now works to change the lives of troubled youth.

"We have major problems, but we are getting to their root and keeping a vision; we are not giving up the fight," Gomez said.

Gomez, who left gangs to graduate from college and serve in the military, is a youth-outreach worker for Peacekeepers, a program that works with teens at risk of joining a gang or already involved in one.

In last week's competition, the city also highlighted the work of the Community Partnership for Families, a nonprofit organization that connects families in need with social services.

The Downtown Alliance displayed Stockton's ability to turn around a blight-ridden downtown.

In its skit, 55 cast members from Stockton introduced Capt. Charles Webber, who founded Stockton during the Gold Rush, to the same city in 2004.

Mayor Gary Podesto, who acted in the skit, said the All America City award is more than a trophy that will sit on a shelf. The award recognizes that Stockton can take care of those who can't help themselves, he said.

"It recognizes that we've got work to do," he said. "But we're on the right path."

The award also can be used to market Stockton to businesses considering locating to the area, Podesto said.

Peggy Massey, economic development director of the Downtown Alliance, said she was honored to have the Alliance considered as part of Stockton's application for All America City.

Stockton won over the panel of judges by presenting efforts to decrease gang violence, meet the challenges of poverty and bring life back to the downtown, Massey said.

She said the delegation was jubilant Saturday upon learning of the recognition during an awards ceremony.

"It's so exciting for our projects and city to be recognized like this," Massey said. "It's all about the community working together in partnerships."

The other nine winning cities were Pembroke Pines, Fla., Evansville, Ind., Montevideo, Minn., Concord, N.C., Springfield, Ohio, Cottage Grove, Ore., Hidalgo, Texas, Spokane, Wash. and Philippi, W.Va.

* To reach reporter Scott Smith, phone (209) 546-8272 or e-mail ssmith@recordnet.com