Information Items:
City Wins IABC Awards, Takes "Best of Show:
Staff Resource: Julie Hill, 704-336-4098
At the 2005 International Association of Business Communicators/Charlotte (IABC) Crown Awards celebration last week, the City received the following awards:
Silver Crown for the "Gun Safety Campaign", an initiative with the Police Department to give away free gunlocks through participating retail stores. Campaign included public service announcements, posters and related materials
Gold Crown for "Women in Policing" recruitment campaign, an initiative with the Police Department designed to recruit women. Campaign included posters, Web site, ads, video and media relations that culminated in career fair attended by nearly 300 women interested in exploring a career in policing
Silver Crown for Solid Waste Services' "Meta un g-o-o-o-L reciclando" recycling campaign designed to educate and increase recycling in Charlotte's Latino community
Gold Crown for "Meta un g-o-o-o-L reciclando" in the Publications category
2005 "Best of Show" Award for the "Meta un g-o-o-o-L reciclando" publications
The IABC is comprised of professionals from across the communications industry spectrum.
CATS Wins State Bus Roadeo Competitions
Staff Resource: Brad Miller, 704-432-0458
CATS Bus Operators from the Special Transportation Service (STS) and Bus Operating Division (BOD) swept first place awards in all individual and team competitions at the North Carolina Public Transportation Association State Bus Roadeo. The "Roadeo" gave Bus Operators the chance to test their driving and safety skills. Drivers had to navigate the bus through an obstacle course in a safe and timely manner. The course consisted of different driving elements including passenger stops, serpentine turns and backing maneuvers. They also were judged on their professional appearance, pre-trip inspection and a written safety test.
STS Operator, Terrance Ardrey, took first place in the Paratransit Cutaway bus competition. Terrance, along with his teammates, David Young and Linville Plexico, helped bring home the state team trophy. Terrance has been driving with STS since 2002.
BOD Operator Lonny Earnhardt took top honors in the large bus competition for the second year in a row. Lonny is a 27-year veteran of BOD. Third place went to Paul Williams, who has been driving for BOD for 28 years. Williams, Earnhardt and Lawrence Martin captured the state team trophy for CATS.
Ardrey and Martin, who placed first at CATS' local Bus Roadeo, will represent CATS at the International Bus Roadeo competition. Earnhardt will represent the State of North Carolina at the International Bus Roadeo.
