Nate Heffron, city manager, city of Negaunee

NEGAUNEE — Legendary Green Bay Packers Coach Vince Lombardi once noted that the price of success is “hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.”

Thanks to the Michigan Municipal League, we here in Irontown feel like we just won a playoff game.

That’s right, the MML recently awarded the city of Negaunee the Community Excellence Award during the annual conference in Grand Rapids.

The MML conference is a gathering elected government officials and city management from cities across the state where they can learn how to better operate municipalities and learn the day-to-day issues facing communities throughout Michigan.

The CEA is the league’s most prestigious community award, giving municipalities an opportunity to highlight their success stories and best practices, as well as share innovative community programs or projects on a statewide platform.

Submissions are accepted based on the community wealth-building principles.

This model balances economic prosperity, sense of place, natural assets, and cultural substance. It also considers the importance of the safety, health, and well-being of our residents, as well as the ongoing process of learning over time.

Only four of the projects submitted annually are selected to go on to compete at the annual convention, where each community presents projects on the main stage and markets it to their peers. Attendees then vote for the community that will ultimately win the CEA.

I was proud to attend this year’s conference on behalf of Negaunee. Joining me were Mayor Craig Ilmonen and former council member Tony Stagliano. We worked hard to represent our community and present our project in a positive manner.

This presentation was the culmination of efforts of so many Negaunee residents and business owners. We’ve shown our strong Miner Pride and community investment in downtown Negaunee and our message resonated with small communities and impressed larger ones.

Everyone saw a little bit of Negaunee in themselves and in their home towns. I can confidently say that Negaunee’s efforts touched the hearts and minds of our fellow attendees!

I can’t express how lucky I was to be able to attend on behalf of our community. I want to thank each and every one for your support throughout these several years.

I also want to express not only my gratitude but the city’s as well to all residents of our community.

• To all the fine workers that conducted the hard labor necessary to rebuild and revamp our downtown from Oberstar.

• To the countless engineers from UPEA that worked through the not-so-easy obstacles that came up while on the job site.

• To all the city staff that work through the paperwork, financing, and administrative necessities to facilitate the project.

• To the Negaunee DPW workers, who through thick and thin can always be counted on to get the job done no matter the task maybe be!

• To our legal team that made sure the “i’s” were dotted and the “t’s” were crossed, keeping us on the straight and narrow.

• To the numerous committees, commissions and city council members that put their trust in the project and Negaunee’s direction and positive future.

• To the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for their endless help and dedication to Negaunee in assisting us not only financially, but to help set a solid foundation for our economic future.

I also extend a special thanks to Mona Lang, who helped as an excellent consultant and true friend of Negaunee. Helping us forge our new future.

And to Tony Staglingo, for his hard work and dedication as a council member and his ardent support of this project. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention his efforts to keep the community informed via his Iron Talk platform.

He is a true son of Negaunee.

I surely hope I didn’t miss anyone, if I have, you still and always will have our gratitude and thanks!

For me, this was — and still is — a very positive and emotional experience, one that I will never forget. However, my friends, we won and we will cherish the moment. But there’s more work to be done and nothing is going to stop us from Forging Negaunee’s future together!