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11/10/09
Hannaford Field fundraising efforts earn citizenship award for Michael Ott
Michael Ott, who spearheaded the community campaign to raise the funds for an artificial turf field behind Cape Elizabeth High School, is this year's recipient of the Ralph Gould Citizenship Award.
Ott was named as the 2009 recipient at the council's meeting Nov. 9. The unusual thing, however, was that Ott was not there to receive it.
"I have unsuccessfully tried to lure him back to Cape Elizabeth to receive the award, along with our accolades. His busy work schedule is not permitting this," said Jim Rowe, chairman of the Town Council.
Rather than postpone presentation of the award indefinitely, Rowe said, Councilor-elect Jim Walsh will bring the award plaque to New York City where he and his wife plan to dine with the Otts later this month. Rowe said Walsh would act as "our special emissary to deliver the Ralph Gould plaque to Michael, along with a declaration of our profound thanks and our best wishes."
Ott left Cape Elizabeth a couple of months ago due to a career change, Rowe said, but his impact will be felt in the community for years to come.
"While Mike did have tremendous help from a fine committee, and would no doubt deflect much attention toward them, he would have to be identified as the driving force and figurehead of the effort to build Hannaford Field," Rowe said.
"His enthusiasm for the project and his foresight and vision of what it would mean to our community were instrumental in bringing this from concept to reality," he said.
The field houses more than sporting events, it represents a central gathering place that plays an important part not only for our school campus, but for the entire town, Rowe said.
Hannaford Field was dedicated in May 2008, a little more than two years after Ott approached town officials for permission to raise funds for "a sports field that would become a centerpiece of what defines a community, a field where people of all ages could and would gather," in the words of Mary Ann Lynch, chairman of the Town Council at the time of the dedication. "Mike never gave up. Mike has been a tireless fund-raiser for Kids' Turf and I think we all know that this dedication would not be taking place without Mike's leadership," Lynch said at the time.
The Ralph Gould Citizenship Award was established in 1986 to recognize the community service of its namesake, and to subsequently recognize those who provide community service in the same spirit.
Rowe, in his remarks Nov. 9, said he is perhaps the only sitting councilor who remembers Mr. Gould. "He was one of those rare individuals who, if you approached him with a well-defined and reasonable need, had the means and inclination to open his bankbook and help. If you need to have a picture accompany the definition of the word citizenship in the dictionary, you would be well served to have a picture of Ralph Gould there.
"We are pleased to add Michael Ott's name to a long and growing list of those Cape Elizabeth citizens who have made a tremendous difference in our town," Rowe said.
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