In 2003, City Manager Jay Ash established the All-Chelsea Community Awards Ceremony. Even he may not have foreseen how prestigious the event would become or how much these honors would come to mean to those who receive them.
Perhaps Jay Ash understood from the start what such recognition could accomplish. When a community takes time to celebrate one of its members for meaningful service to the city, it demonstrates the power of civic pride and gratitude.
The ceremony gained further prominence through live coverage by Robert Bradley on Chelsea Community Cable Television, the participation of State Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty, State Sen. Sal DiDomenico and municipal leaders, and Jay Ash’s skillful role as master of ceremonies. These elements combined to create one of Chelsea’s most significant and celebrated awards events.
This year’s honorees deserve recognition: Gerry McCue, Barry Kirshon, James Cunningham of CRW, Mike Sandoval, Melissa Shook, Herbie Kupersmith, John Kennard and Roseann Bongiovanni of the Chelsea Collaborative (for the “Say No to Ethanol” campaign), along with Deborah Clayman, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award in memory of her late husband, Attorney Richard Clayman. Jay Ash’s remarks introducing Mr. Clayman’s award were particularly noteworthy for their thoughtful reflection on his character and contributions.
We extend our gratitude to City Manager Jay Ash for his leadership in establishing and sustaining this outstanding tradition in Chelsea.