It was a proud moment for Sanford last week when the Maine Town and City Management Association named its town manager Municipal Manager of the Year.

Mark Green received the award on Aug. 19. According to one of his colleagues, the selection committee respected Green’s leadership, professionalism and ability to accomplish municipal goals.

“He gets involved with a project, sees the value, brings people forth to give their ideas, builds consensus and makes sure the project goes ahead,” said Kennebunk Town Manager Barry Tibbetts.

As manager of a neighboring town, Tibbetts is in a good position to keep track of progress in Sanford. Among recent successes, Tibbetts noted the growth of the Sanford Regional Communications Center, which has won contracts for emergency dispatching from many area towns by offering good service and lower costs than the competition.

Town managers operate in a realm of government beyond partisan politics, but success in government will always require persuasion, deal-making, compromise and the exercise of power. Working on behalf of the Town Council, Green has put his political skills to good use, building consensus and using the town’s authority to pursue a long-term revitalization plan.

The town was also recognized by the association. With the collaborative efforts of elected officials, citizens and town staff, and a growing economic base, Sanford is in a good position to get things done. The town’s focus on the need for revitalization and economic development is a healthy attitude in both good times and bad.

Town Council chairman Joseph Hanslip said the award confirms what Sanford has long known: That Mark Green is an important municipal asset. For town managers, problems and challenges are part of the job, and the next one could appear at any time.

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Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven by calling 282-1535, Ext. 327, or via e-mail at nickc@journaltribune.com.