Title
To recognize Katharine Moore, Executive Director of the German Village Society.
Body
WHEREAS, Katharine Moore was appointed executive director of the German Village Society in 1995 and over the past thirteen years Katharine and her staff led the Society into a model association of civic engagement, blending historic preservation and old fashioned neighborliness to create one of the most effective, respected and productive privately funded civic associations in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Katharine's GVS Neighbors 4 Neighbors email outreach is a model of instant communication, bringing the owners of countless lost pets and car keys together again and notifying residents of social activities, crime alerts, volunteer opportunities and how to help their neighbors, announcing births and deaths and generally being the glue that holds this remarkable neighborhood community together with Katharine's energetic, enthusiastic personality, warm and welcoming spirit and wickedly quick wit; and
WHEREAS, with extraordinary vision and uncommon sense, Katharine established and nurtured a model partnership with the Columbus Division of Police that has resulted in a safer community and an empowered, well-informed citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Katharine raised more than nine million dollars for German Village Society events, programs, projects and charitable activities including the popular Architectural Scavenger Hunt that has allowed more than 5000 school children to explore and learn about German Village history and the built environment; a collaboration that led to German Village being named the Preserve America neighborhood by The White House; illuminating Schiller Park with decorative, historically appropriate street lights; coordinating the business community's Village Lights event; creating the Fred and Howard Ambassadorship award which recognizes community leaders who share the story of German Village beyond its borders; working with City government on the Third Street Streetscape Plan and producing eight Oktoberfest celebrations; and
WHEREAS, Katharine's commitment to reaching out to the broader community resulted in the publication of 650 'Village Voice' columns for the German Village Gazette, celebrating accomplishments, rallying support for neighborhood causes and connecting community members to one another; and
WHEREAS, Katharine has been named executive director of the Jefferson Center for Learning and the Arts, a new outlet for civic innovation and consensus building.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this council does hereby recognize the civic achievements of Katharine Moore.