CRESTVIEW — The City Council plans to recognize former Mayor George Whitehurst, recent recipient of the Mae R. Coleman Citizen of the Year Award, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Council members will let a committee tasked with selecting Citizen of the Year nominees do its job following concerns that their vote for Whitehurst overstepped their authority.
Council President Ben Iannucci III, who noted the Citizen of the Year award should reflect immediate contributions to Crestview, proposed the Lifetime Achievement Award for Whitehurst.
“The council has the discretion to offer this award,” Iannucci said last week. “It would be more suitable to what he has accomplished.”
Mayor David Cadle, who 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.”
Whitehurst served two stints as mayor totaling 24 years. He stepped down in 2007.
Councilman Charles Baugh Jr. asked whether the city has criteria for nominating someone for a Lifetime Achievement Award. He cited several prominent residents, including late business leader Foy Shaw and former Mayor Ted Mathis, as potential nominees.
Council members Tom Gordon and Robyn Helt agreed that criteria should be established.
Crestview News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes can be reached at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.