|   Jim Goodmon presented the award to Alice for Exemplary Regional Leadership By An Elected Official Leadership Triangle presented the fifth annual Goodmon Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations that exhibit outstanding regional leadership, on December 11, 2006 in Durham, N.C. In the "elected official" category, the award went to Alice Gordon.  New Hope Preserve was one of the acquisitions funded by the Lands Legacy Program, the first comprehensive county land acquisition program in North Carolina Alice Gordon has been an Orange County Commissioner for 16 years. During that time, she has proactively addressed regional growth while enhancing the quality of life that defines the Triangle. An unsung champion and distinguished leader, Alice's work focuses on two areas: environmental protection and regional transportation. In her quiet, methodical manner she displayed passion, vision, and leadership in promoting and helping to implement the first comprehensive county land acquisition program in North Carolina: The Lands Legacy Program and the new environmental department essential to its operation. In six years the award-winning initiative has protected more than 1,700 acres of the county's most important natural and cultural resources, including farmland, parkland, and critical natural areas. Among the notable acquisitions are the New Hope Preserve on the Durham - Orange County boundary and the Little River Regional Park and Natural Area which spans the two counties. Alice has been at the forefront of regional transportation leadership for a decade, and has served as an officer or executive committee member on several regional boards including a multi-jurisdiction policy board of elected officials directing urban transportation planning for Durham, Orange, and northern Chatham counties. More recently she spearheaded the creation of the new TTA Hillsborough-Chapel Hill bus route, a huge step toward inter-city connectivity. Alice currently chairs the Triangle Transit Authority. Alice's accomplishments in the areas of environmental protection and regional transportation have made significant contributions in addressing the rapid growth dilemma that challenges our Triangle home, and make her truly worthy of receiving this award. Leadership Triangle Awards for 2006 The Leadership Triangle web site explains the rationale for the Goodmon awards as follows: As communities across the Triangle come to understand the importance of working together, regional thinking and regional cooperation become more essential to our individual and collective well being. Yet we have few mechanisms in place for rewarding such regional foresight and action. As a result, Leadership Triangle has established these annual awards in honor of James F. Goodmon to recognize leaders in our community who are regionally minded, and who exhibit that frame of mind in their personal and professional lives.
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