Community Corner
VML Presents Leesburg with Achievement Award
The recognition was received due to overhaul of the town's land development processes
The Town of Leesburg was presented with a 2011 Achievement Award, Tuesday night, during the Virginia Municipal League's (VML) annual conference, in Henrico County. The recognition was due to the the reorganization of the land development application and permit process within the town.
Mayor Kristen Umstattd, Vice Mayor Kevin Wright, Council members Katie Hammler and Marty Martinez, Town Manager John Wells and a number of senior staff members were on hand to receive the award.
“This award is an example of what Town staff and the Town Council can do whenever we put our minds to it,” Mayor Umstattd said. “I am extremely proud of John Wells, our staff and our council members for their commitment to making Leesburg a wonderful place to live and do business. You won't find a better town anywhere.”
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Vice Mayor Kevin Wright said he was very excited and grateful for the recognition from VML for the Town’s Development Process Improvements. The award reflects on the outstanding team effort between the Town Council, Town Manager and staff to make Leesburg an outstanding community, he said.
Councilmember Katie Hammler said Leesburg's VML award is a significant achievement symbolizing the tremendous leadership the Town Manager, and the willingness of Leesburg's hard-working staff to embrace change.
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“What is most gratifying is that by recognizing Leesburg's success, other towns and cities across our Commonwealth will be able to learn from Leesburg's process improvements and improve their service delivery," Hammler said. "If all Virginia Towns and Cities embrace Leesburg's type of change, we will go a long way, collectively, to reach our shared goal of making Virginia the best place to do business in the United States.”
“Having so many of the staff here this evening to be part of the award presentation was particularly important to me,” said Council Member Marty Martinez. “The staff works with development community on a daily basis and they deserve the recognition for the results of their efforts to make land development in Leesburg a seamless and predictable process.”
Leesburg’s entry was judged as the best entry in the category for local governments with populations between 35,001 and 90,000. There were eight entries submitted in this category. The entries in the five population categories were evaluated on criteria that emphasized innovation, efficiency and entrepreneurship. Click here to see a copy of the Town’s nomination.
