CRESTVIEW — The City Council plans to recognize former Mayor George Whitehurst — whom it recently selected as the Mae R. Coleman Citizen of the Year Award recipient— with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
City leaders will let a committee tasked with selecting Citizen of the Year nominees do its job, following concerns that their vote for Whitehurst overstepped authority.
Council President Ben Iannucci III, noting the Citizen of the Year award should reflect immediate contributions to Crestview, proposed a Lifetime Achievement Award for Whitehurst.
"The council has the discretion to offer this award," Iannucci said Monday. "It would be more suitable to what he has accomplished."
Mayor David Cadle, who had originally suggested honoring Whitehurst, agreed.
"I support that idea," Cadle said. "I think that would be a much better way to go …. I met with Mayor Whitehurst and he was very pleased (with Citizen of the Year), but he'll be more pleased with this."
Councilman Charles Baugh Jr. asked if the city has criteria for nominating someone for a city lifetime achievement award. He cited several prominent residents, including late business leader Foy Shaw and former Mayor Ted Mathis, as potential nominees.
Councilmembers Tom Gordon and Robyn Helt agreed that criteria should be established.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Former mayor may receive lifetime achievement recognition