PALMDALE – The League of California Cities (LOCC) Desert-Mountain Division presented Apple Valley Mayor Scott Nassif and Adelanto City Manager Dr. James Hart with the Larry Chimbole Public Service Award at its annual awards banquet held in Palmdale.
Nassif and Hart were nominated for the award by several city managers and elected officials in the Desert Mountain Division, and were selected by the League’s Desert Mountain Division’s Selection Committee, which consists of elected officials from the Desert Mountain Division.
The Desert-Mountain Division is comprised of 15 cities including Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Big Bear Lake, Bishop, California City, Hesperia, Lancaster, Mammoth Lakes, Needles, Palmdale, Ridgecrest, Twentynine Palms, Victorville and Yucca Valley.
The Larry Chimbole Public Service Award recognizes elected officials or city managers serving in the Desert-Mountain Division of the League of California Cities. Reflective of the award’s namesake, the recipient demonstrates a dedication to public service through outstanding service to municipal government, leadership and activities with the LOCC, and high standards of personal character.
In November 2010, Nassif was elected to his third term on the Apple Valley Town Council, and is currently Mayor. A successful business owner for more than 35 years, he is also the current President of the Rotary Club of Apple Valley and serves on the board of the Apple Valley Police Activities League, which has been successful in reaching at-risk youth and re-directing them toward more positive efforts.
Nassif has been the Town of Apple Valley’s LOCC delegate for the past seven years. He has served on the state League Resolution Committee and Annual Conference Program Committee, and from 2007 to 2010, was president of the Desert Mountain Division. Nassif has been a tireless advocate for or against ballot measures and legislation affecting local government, services and revenue, and led the way in local support for Proposition 1A and Proposition 22.
Dr. Hart has been City Manager of the City of Adelanto since January 2005. Prior to his appointment, he served as City Manager in Twentynine Palms and Rancho Santa Margarita. Dr. Hart holds a Doctorate degree in Business Administration from California Coast University, a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Brigham Young University and a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from the California State University, Fullerton. He also holds a lifetime Administrative Teaching Credential from the Community College System.
Some of Dr. Hart’s accomplishments in Adelanto include stabilizing the City’s budget by positively restructuring the City’s finances, implementing and enhancing the City’s image by establishing the City’s initial branding and economic development strategies, and enhancing community relations with community leaders by open dialogues with neighboring community leaders.
The League of California Cities was established in 1898 and today is an organization that represents California’s incorporated cities. The League strives to protect the local authority and autonomy of city government and help California’s cities effectively serve their residents. In addition to advocating on cities’ behalf at the state capitol, the League provides its members with professional development programs and information resources, conducts educational conferences and research, and publishes Western City magazine.
(Information via press release from the City of Palmdale.)
