- April 19, 2024
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Shortly after recognizing Ormond MainStreet for receiving an award for making pedestrian crosswalks safer in the downtown, the Ormond Beach City Commission also renewed its annual service agreement with the organization for the promotion of economic, physical and aesthetic redevelopment of the city's downtown district.
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington said the award presentation was an example of some of the things MainStreet accomplishes for the city, and that the "bang for the buck" that the city gets — namely the quality of the events put on and the number of people they lure to the city — is wonderful. The agreement costs the city $60,000.
For the commission, that is money well-spent.
“I have never had the privilege of seeing a more involved and more engaged board than Ormond MainStreet," City Commissioner Rick Boehm said.
Boehm, who has served as the city's liaison on the Ormond MainStreet board for the past six years, said the organization has continued to expand programs and events. MainStreet has also created the idea of an arts district in Ormond and keeps working on creating a walkable downtown. He said this is a terrific agreement that improves the city.
City Commissioner Troy Kent agreed, adding that the board has no problem putting in "sweat equity" into their cause. He said members are always volunteering and making sure events are run smoothly, as well as dining and shopping in the district they advocate for.
“Our Ormond Beach MainStreet doesn’t just talk the talk," Kent said. "They walk the walk.”
City Commissioner Dwight Selby praised MainStreet's efforts to work with the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ormond Beach Historical Society and other organizations.
“It’s cooperation," Selby said. "It’s not competition, so it’s indicative of the kind of community that we have.”
The city is also working on an initiative to recognize local military heroes via a military appreciation banner program, which was approved by the City Commission at their meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 21.
The program will allow Ormond Beach residents to honor family members currently in active service, honorably discharged, or those that died in the line of duty. Their photos will be displayed on street-pole banners across the Granada Boulevard Bridge through the month of November, though City Manager Joyce Shanahan announced that it won't be starting this year due to the time it would take to advertise and print the banners.
The Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program will be free as it will be funded through sponsorships. There is space for 96 service members or veterans for the city's inaugural program. Families interested must provide a high-resolution photo of the service member in uniform.
Applications will soon be available online and in the city's Leisure Services Administrative Offices at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center located at 399 N. U.S. 1.
“This is yet another step in showing the support that this commission, this city, has for its veterans," Boehm said.
