Purcell to receive governing honor

Improving quality of life, commitment to education and attracting corporate relocations cited in reasons for Purcell honor

Email | Print By Richard Lawson

10-23-2006 4:21 PM — Governing magazine, a publication for state and local governments, has named Mayor Bill Purcell mayor of the year.

On Nov. 15, Purcell will be honored as one of the Public Officials of the Year during a program at the Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C.  There isn't a specific category for mayors but each year a mayor receives the honor along with a governor, county executive and others.

Last year, Denver Mayor John W. Hickenlooper was honored for his broad-based coalition building on transit in the Mile High City and won on a bond issue to remake transportation in the region. Purcell is receiving the honor for his push for improving quality of life in Nashville, attracting corporate relocations and his commitment to education, according to Josh Goodman, a Governing spokesman.

Goodman said there were 150 nominations from across the country for all categories. The nominations come from outside the magazine as well as from the publication's staff.

David Ewing, senior vice president for government relations and community improvement for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, nominated Purcell along with three others from Nashville. But Goodman said, "He was someone in our own thinking who would warrant consideration."