l.robinson1@charter.net

The Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority has added seven more plaques to the agency’s walls after once again garnering national recognition for its achievements. Commissioners got a glimpse of the awards at its recent board meeting.

Kurt Creage, president of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, praised the award winners, noting the value of sharing best practices to promote professionalism and to learn from other’s experiences.

&uot;These agencies are accomplishing remarkable levels of service for their communities and their residents,&uot; Creage said.

Of housing authorities nationwide that were evaluated, the SRHA came in second with its seven commendations.

&uot;This made me feel great and proud of the agency,&uot; said SRHA Board Chairman Mary V. Richardson, who attended the July ceremony in Tampa, Fla. &uot;We received the second most awards of all the agencies.&uot;

NAHRO presented the SRHA with the 2003 merit awards for the following programs and initiatives:

— Administrative Innovation, which recognizes innovation methods in areas such as maintenance, community relations and interagency cooperation.

– Drive Thru Section 8

– Employees RAP About Programs

— Community Revitalization, which recognizes innovative programs in areas such as economic development, neighborhood preservation and creative financing.

Partners in Faith in partnership with the Greater First Baptist Church of Orlando

— Program and Innovation/Resident and Client Services, which recognizes innovative programs for children, families and the elderly.

Youth Performing Arts Program

Fire Awareness Education Program in partnership

with the City of Suffolk Fire Department

Seniors at Chorey Park Get Computer Friendly Program

— Project Design, which recognizes efforts such as a new housing design, housing modernization, enduring design and landscape design.

Community Development through PHA Capital Improvements. Creative Modernization of SRHA Central Office

The Partners in Faith initiative was also nominated for an Award of Excellence.

The awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in housing and community development programs and initiatives throughout the nation, were presented to Richardson; commissioners Linda D. Brown and Mary P. Herndon; SRHA Executive Director Clarissa E. McAdoo; Tracey Snipes, human resources manager, at the Marriott Waterside in Tampa on July 25.