For Immediate Release
Date: February 21, 2013

A resident who instills work ethics in teens and one who leads marsh cleanups around Coffee Bluff were the recipients of the 1st Quarter Good Neighbor Award, presented by City Council on Thursday.

The winners, announced during the regular City Council meeting, were Bishop Hazel Manker of West Savannah and Michael Bedford of Coffee Bluff. The two were recognized publicly and presented with Good Neighbor Award plaques by their City Council representatives, Alderman Van R. Johnson II and Alderman Tony Thomas.

Mayor Edna Jackson launched the Good Neighbor Award in 2012 as a way to recognize citizens who improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods every day through acts large and small.

Good Neighbor Award recipients must be:• A resident of the City of Savannah
• Have made contributions to their neighborhoods or to Savannah• Have demonstrated concern for their neighborhood’s well-being or overall quality of life for the City of Savannah
• Not be employed by the City of Savannah

To nominate a neighbor for the 2nd Quarter Good Neighbor Award, visit www.savannahga.gov/goodneighbor, or call 651-6410.

About the 1st Quarter Good Neighbors:

Bishop Hazel MankerHow he has improved West Savannah:
• Supervised the Grass Cutting program for the elderly and disabled residents in the neighborhood over the past four years.• Worked with the teenagers enrolled in this program teaching work ethic, proper attire, and pride in work. Leading and providing an example for the teens.
• Served as Chairman of the Greater West Savannah Communities parade committee for past 8 years.• Served as Chaplin for West Savannah Community Organization for past 12 years.
• Served as President of West Savannah Ministerial Alliance for past four years.

Michael BedfordHow he has improved Coffee Bluff:
• Led the initial clean-up of the Coffee Pointe marsh area and continues to round up volunteers for regular Saturday clean ups.• Spearheaded a 6 week, 20 man effort to restore neighborhood marsh views and water circulation in the neighborhood lagoon.
• Organizes team efforts to maintain landscaping around vacant homes.• Acts as a one man Welcoming Committee for all newcomers to the neighborhood. Introducing them to neighbors and making sure to include them in neighborhood activities.
• Provides and installs holiday decorations for the neighborhood. • Organizes neighborhood events and initiates neighborhood improvement projects.