Document - Historical information/data - Tom Hedges Letter of Congratulations on L.P.Cookingham Award - 9/5/1985 ICMA,the professional association
of appointed administrators
serving cities,counties,regional councils,
and other local governments
ICMA SEP 9 1985
- 1120 G Street,NW
Washington,DC 20005 (202)626-4600
September 5, 1985
Mr. Thomas Hedges
City Administrator
City of Eagan
3930 Pilot Knob Rd.
Eagan, MN 55123
Dear Mr. Hedges:
Congratulations on your recent selection as the 1985 L. P. Cookingham Award winner by
the ICMA Foundation.
Enclosed is a draft of a press release announcing your selection. If you find factual or
other errors, please feel free to make any corrections. So that we may thoroughly
inform your city and region of this award, we would like to send this release to media
contacts you recommend. We will be mailing it to these specified contacts just prior to
the Annual Conference in October.
Thank you for your attention to these requests.
Sincerely,
Beth Payne
Editor
PUBLIC MANAGEMENT Magazine
Enclosure
ICMA,the professional association
of appointed administrators
serving cities,counties,regional councils,
and other local governments
■ 0
1120 G Street,NW
Washington, DC 20005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Beth Payne
202/626-4619
CITY ADMINISTRATOR HONORED FOR ENCOURAGING CAREERS IN
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The International City Management Association (ICMA) has honored Thomas
Hedges, city administrator of Eagan, Minnesota, with the 1985 L. P. Cookingham Award
for his innovative use of limited resources in the development of an internship program
as a tool for professional development
The L. P. Cookingham Award for Career Development is given each year by ICMA
to a manager or chief administrator who has contributed significantly in encouraging
young people to develop local government careers. The award, named for L. P.
Cookingham, symbolizes a deep personal commitment to the development of new talents
for a career in public management.
Hedges developed the internship program in Eagan on the model of a similar
program that he implemented in St. Peter, Minnesota. The program involves six months
of paid positions on a rotating basis and is based on a systematic approach to working
individually with each student to ensure a challenging and enriching experience.
Interns are recruited from area colleges and universities on a regular basis. Each
intern is formally introduced to each staff member and is briefed on areas of
responsibility. The student is also encouraged to return to the departments to pursue
personal interests in specific areas. Interns are given the freedom to shape their own
programs as appropriate.
Hedges and his department heads are careful to define their expectations of the
intern, but also positively encourage each individual to help build his or her confidence.
Interns are involved in a variety of activities and tasks by working on a number of
projects or obtaining "hands-on" experience by riding with police officers, attending
Cable Committee meetings, or walking through the sewer system with maintenance
workers, for example. The interns are treated as entry-level professionals and are
included in staff meetings and interdepartmental conferences.
Finally, Hedges continues his support and guidance beyond the six-month term for
each student. Former interns have benefited from his references, advice, and
encouragement. In the two cities in which he has worked, Hedges has contributed to the
careers of 16 individuals. Twelve remain in public management, almost half of whom are
city managers or department heads; and all four of those in the private sector have had
substantial experience in public sector matters.
The intern program developed by Hedges includes the fundamental aspects essential
to a successful internship experience: strong recruitment, individual attention, proper
orientation, involvement in a variety of challenging activities, organizational support,
and continued guidance and support.
Judges for the Cookingham Award were Neal Berlin, city manager Iowa City, Iowa,
chair, Lawrence Asaro, city manager, Galesburg, Illinois; and Bruce Romer, city
administrator, Davenport, Iowa.
ICMA is the professional and educational association of appointed administrators in
cities, counties, towns, and councils of government. Most of ICMA's 7,000 members are
local government professionals in the United States, Canada, Europe, and other
countries.
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A__ ^�/ /��C Glenn R.Cook,P.E.
//(� ]l1// J � Keith A.Gordon,P.E.
,I�/ � / Otto G.Bonestroo,P.E. Thomas E.Noyes,P.E.
l �.ax44 r1 4 Robert W.Rosene,P.E. Richard W.Foster,P.E._LI Ci C/ Joseph C.Anderlik,P.E. Robert G.Schumcht,P.E.
2335 V. 7n....6iyka a./36 Bradford A.Lemberg,P.E. Marvin L.Sorvala,P.E.
Si. Richard E. Turner,P.E. Donald C.Burgordt,P.E.
S pa«t, M:««tiata 55113 James C.Olson,P.E. Jerry A.Bourdon,F.E.
Mark A.Hanson,P.E.
pi.61.2-636-4600 Ted K.Field,P.E.
Michael T.Reutmann.P.E.
Robert R.Pfefferle,P.E.
September 27, 1985 David O.Loskota,P.E.
Charles A.Erickson
Leo M.Pawelsky
Harlan M.Olson
City of Eagan
3830 Pilot Knob Road
Eagan, MN 55122
Attn: Mr. Tom Hedges
Re: Special National Award
File No. 49
Dear Tom,
I was very pleased to read that you have been awarded the LP Cookingham Award
at the Annual Conference of the International City Management Association. To
receive this prestigious award is an outstanding tribute to your capability
and diligence.
Those of us who know you are Well aware of these attributes which you regular-
ly display in your continued service to the City of Eagan. However, it is
particularly nice when this is recognized by a national organization and when
you are selected as the one person from the national organization to receive
this award, it is particularly gratifying. It couldn't happen to a better or
more deserving man.
With best personal wishes,
BONESTROO, ROSENE, ANDERLIK & ASSOCIATES, INC.
,(34,,,deeril
Robert W. Rosene
RWR:1i
1034d
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LAIMcCOMBS—KNUTSON ASSOCIATES, INC.
CONSULTING ENGINEERS • LAND SURVEYORS • PLANNERS
Reply To:
12800 Industrial Park Boulevard
Plymouth, Minnesota 55441
(612) 559-3700
October 9, 1985
Mr. Tom Hedges
City Administrator
City of Eagan
3830 Pilot Knob Road
Eagan, MN 55122
Dear Tom:
Our congratulations to you on receipt of the I.C.M.A. 's L.B. Cookingham
Award.
I am sure that Eagan is pleased to see your accomplishments being
recognized. Congratulations again.
Very truly yours,
McCOMBS-KNUTSON ASSOCIATES, INC.
:3/4
William H. McCombs, P.E.
Gr-vor J. Frank, P.E.
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CITY OF MANKATO, MINNESOTA
202 East Jackson Street
Box 3368, Mankato, MN 56001
Telephone: 507-625-3161
October 10, 1985
Mr. Thomas L. Hedges
City Administrator
City of Eagan
3830 Pilot Knob Road
Eagan, MN 55122
Dear Tom:
Congratulations on your winning of the L.P. Cookingham Award. It is a well
deserved honor and helps to show the rest of the country the excellent level of
professional management we have in Minnesota.
I am sure you feel it a great honor in having your name included with the
distinguished list of predecessors such as Bob Morris, Ted Tedesco, John
Patriarch, Jerry Fox, etc. Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing you
in Philadelphia.
Sincerely yours,
William A. Bassett
City Manager
WAB/ep
Mankato is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer
ICMA,the professional association
of appointed admunstrators
serving cities,counties,regional councils, (;,
k
and other local governments r 1��� �--
1 I ICMA .
S
- 1120 G Street,NW
Washington,DC 20005 (202)626-4600
October 10, 1985 -
Dear Member:
ICMA was able to obtain additional tickets for the Monday night
event - Music at the Academy Therefore, we are able to fulfill
your original request.
Since time is short and we are not able to call each of you
individually, we will assume you still desire to have the tickets.
If you prepaid for the event and are expecting a refund, it should
be arriving shortly. Therefore, you will have an open invoice for
this new ticket request which can be paid at registration in
Philadelphia.
If you have already changed your plans, please let us know when you
register and we will cancel the order.
We apologize for the inconvenience but are glad that we .were able
to obtain additional tickets for the event.
Sincerely,
---710----------
Michael Hoagland
BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A SPECIAL INVITATION FROM THE ACADEMY.
HOWARD A. KNUTSON
T985
Senator 38th District
1907 Woods Lane
Burnsville, Minnesota 55337
Phone: 890-1218 (Home) Senate
Phone:435-7704(Office)
During Session:
125 State Office Building State of Minnesota
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155
Phone: 296-4120(Senate)
October 16 , 1985
Mr. Tom Hedges, Administrator
City of Eagan
3830 Pilot Knob Road
Eagan, MN 55121
Dear Tom:
I read with a great deal of interest the item in the Minnesota
Cities magazine stating that you will receive the International
City Management Association' s L.P. Cookingham Award towards
the last of October in Philadelphia.
I congratulate you and I know that it is a well-deserved award.
Your internship program is an extremely valuable one and you
have had many people brought into the professional field because
of what you have done.
Again, contragulations on receiving this award!
Very truly yours,
A`.►
Howard A. Knutson
HAK/mrr
P. S. It was good to hear more about it in our PCA meeting
with Eagan and I hope we can work things out with
Eagan and the PCA.
COMMITTEES • Education • Finance • Health and Human Services • Rules and
Administration • Minnesota Resources Commission
SERVING: Burnsville, Eagan, Lilydale, Mendota, And Part of Mendota Heights
--Ntle
-- Chaska
October 16, 1985 „1,1\1
e3\i
Mr. Tom Hedges
City Administrator
3830 Pilot Knob Road
Eagan, MN 55122
Dear Tom:
Congratulations on being named the recipient of the LP
Cookingham Award recently award by the International
City Management Association. Clearly, the national
award is even more significant given that you have been
selected for recognition by your professional peers.
Have you thought of the fact, though, that you are in
essence being honored for being a "wise old man" who
has served as a mentor to numerous young professionals!
I wonder if the organization isn' t really telling you
that you are no longer one of the "young turks" .
Seriously though, I wish to extend my sincerest
congratulations for your well deserved recognition.
Sincerely,
D ve Pokorney
City Administrator
DP:jai
City Of Chaska Minnesota 205 East Fourth Street 55318-2094 Phone 612/448-2851
CITY OF KEARNEY
BOX 489, KEARNEY, NEBRASKA 68847, 308/237-5133T hl
Sab
October ,),k
17
1985
Thomas L. Hedges
City Adminstrator
3830 Pilot Knob Rd.
Eagan, MN 55123
Dear Thomas:
A sincere word of congratulations for being selected as the recipient
of the Management Innovative Award presented by the ICMA Foundation.
Your selection to receive this most prestigious award speaks highly of
your dedication to professionalism in local government. Your creative,
innovative and untiring efforts on behalf of the City of Eagan are to
be commended.
Through your direction, our profession has climbed a new plateau of
service to our communities. Your efforts to lead the field of
municipal management into new heights is to be held in high respect.
Again, I congratulate you on being selected to receive the L. P.
Cookingham Award. If I can ever be of service, please do not hesitate
to contact me.
i cerely,
if o er
Vice President
Mountain Plains Region
City Manager
Kearney, Nebraska
CWS:ld
MI RD
October 24, 1985
Mr. Tom Hedges
City Administrator
City of Eagan
3830 Pilot Knob Hill
Eagan, Minnesota 55122
Dear Tom:
Please accept by belated congratulations on your receipt
of the prestigious L. P. Cookingham Award.
Having successfully nominated Bob Bailey for the award
in 1981, I know how meaningful this award must be to
you. This well deserved recognition for you also en-
hances the professional reputation of Minnesota managers
in general .
Even though I ' m a bit envious , please accept by sincere
congratulations .
Sincerely,
James F. Miller
City Manager
JFM/bn
the city offices are located at 14600 minnetonka boulevard minnetonka, minnesota 55345 933-2511