The Mark Buchter Memorial Neighborhood Leader Award
The Neighborhood Leadership Award was
created by the Community Design Center in 1995 (now the Center For Neighborhoods) in memory
of Mark Buchter, a rising star in both his neighborhood
and in public service who was killed earlier that year
resisting a burglary at his home. In honor of Mark,
The Community Design Center (Center For Neighborhoods) created the Neighborhood
Leadership Award to recognize leaders, like Mark, who
demonstrate unusual courage and determination in promoting
neighborhood good.
Award Recipients
Carolyn
Mack-Luton - 1995
A founder
of Louisville’s
neighborhood block watch movement, honored by President
Bill Clinton during a visit to Louisville in 1995
Mark
Buchter - 1995
Vice chair of
the Portland Development Organization and dedicated
neighborhood advocate
Earl
Buehner – 1998
Chair,
Smoketown/Shelby Park Community Housing Development
Organization (CHDO). A
neighborhood servant and community builder.
Roy
Ricketts – 1998
Louisville
East Community Development Corporation
A founding board
leader of Metro Louisville’s
most effective community housing development organization.
Rose
and Fred Nett –2001
Old
Louisville. Long-time
leaders of the revitalization of Old Louisville, both
possessing a profound commitment to social justice
and to grassroots democracy.
Alan
Scherer –1996
President,
Deer Park Neighborhood Association. As
president, Alan’s leadership contributed greatly
to the rise of one of Louisville’s most effective
neighborhood organizations.
Diana
Newton –2003
SCAN - Southwest
Community Neighborhood Association Diane Newton first
got involved in her neighborhood when she became concerned
that Southwest Jefferson County was becoming a dumping
ground for bad development. Her passion and neighborhood pride
quickly led her to organize a coalition of subdivisions
and homeowners associations from throughout the Southwest
County. Known as SCAN – the Southwest Community
Association of Neighborhoods – Diane was instrumental
in organizing neighborhoods to have a voice and political
clout that they’d never before enjoyed. Rather
than complaining about being shut out, Diane brought
people together to expect their fair share – a
demand that at times has resulted in resistance and grief
from different quarters, expected and unexpected.
Theresa
Stanley – 2003
BRADD
- Brownsboro Road Area Theresa Stanley is
the leader of BRADD, a group organized to promote smart
growth along the Brownsboro Road corridor of eastern
Jefferson County. Theresa
is most recognized for her effective advocacy on behalf
of good planning and neighborhood preservation. She
is less known, however, as a champion for individual
property owners residing in the path of new development,
working as a volunteer advocate to ensure that the property
rights of those with little voice are equally protected. She
has become a resource to neighborhoods all over Jefferson
County as someone who can help a neighborhood to organize
and respond effectively to a major zoning issue. Her
humble manner and sense of humor stand in contrast to
her determination to promote development that is well-planned,
and that is good for its neighbors and for the community
at large.
CARR Receiving
Award
CARR - Concerned Alliance
of Russell Residents -
2004
Mahdi Muhammad and Robert Bell
Michael
O'Leary – 2005
Clifton
Community Council
Ellen
O'Leary – 2005
Oakdale
Neighborhood Association
Gary Allen - 2007
President of the Schnitzelburg Area Community Council.
Gary has dedicated himself to years of service and leadership in the Schnitzelburg neighborhood. His notable contributions include running a neighborhood yard sale that raises money for the association, organizing the 37 year old historical Dainty Contest next to Hauk's Grocery on Goss Avenue, and running The Number One Citizen's Dinner which is a major sit-down dinner that recognizes an extraordinary citizen in the neighborhood. Additionally, Schnitzelburg Area Community Council (under Gary's leadership) is establishing a senior community center in the former St. Elizabeth Catholic School building on Burnett Street, which closed in 2005.
Gary at the 2006 Dainty Contest
Watch the short video (below) about the St. Elizabeth Senior Community Center being established by the Schnitzelburg Area Community Council.
