On Thursday, September 4, CL's Marketing, Events & Promotions Coordinator Gina Moccio and I attended the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners' regular meeting, where we were honored to represent Creative Loafing in receiving the board's proclamation naming September 2014 "Best of the Bay Month," in recognizance of CL's annual Best of the Bay issue. As you probably know, BOTB is all about spotlighting some of the best arts, culture, business, recreation and politics the Bay area has to offer, as determined by our editors, critics, contributors and — most importantly — you, our readers.
Following the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by District 3 Commissioner Les Miller, Jr., Chairman Mark Sharpe read the proclamation and made some gracious comments about CL's contributions to the community before presenting it to us, then demanding that Gina and I each give a speech, or suffer the consequences. (OK, so not really that last part, but they did encourage us to say a few words, out loud, in public and everything.)
We did the photo thing, and then District 5 Commissioner Ken Hagan added some more kind words, praising News & Politics Editor Mitch Perry in particular.
Following the proclamation, the Commission also issued two very cool commendations: One to local superstar athlete Chelsea "Knuckleball Princess" Baker, who is the first female in county history to pitch for a high school varsity baseball team (among otherthings); and one to the players and coaches of the North Tampa Softball Team 13-14 Year-Old All-Stars, for winning the Florida State Championships and being invited to participate in the Babe Ruth Softball World Series, "playing up" in the 16-year-old division.
We'd like to thank the Commission for its acknowledgment of CL's role within the greater Tampa Bay community, and for its own efforts on behalf of the citizens of Hillsborough County.
Our Best of the Bay issue streets September 18.