Sedona Main Street Program nominates Shirley Tolley for Arizona Main
Street Individual of the Year for all the reasons outlined below and
more.
Shirley has
served as a Sedona Main Street Program (SMSP) Director for the past
seven years, her business is a longstanding SMSP Member, she serves as
the SMSP Promotions Committee Chairperson, and she was one of the
founding members of the Sedona Uptown Merchants Association (precursor
to SMSP.)
Shirley,
the owner & manager of Joe Wilcox Western Wear store (in SMSP District),
has been involved in the Sedona Main Street Program from the inception
of our organization. Shirley has done everything from hitting the
pavement to pass out fliers, acquiring new SMSP Members, writing grants,
creating newsletter articles, gathering the AZMSP reinvestment
statistics, to spearheading events, acquiring sponsorship for events and
gathering volunteers to staff those events (see bulleted list below)
besides stroking the SMSP staff to persevere through all the events.
·
For the People by the People Auction – Fund-raising – AZMS
Award Winner
·
Great Northern AZ Rubber Duck Race - Fund-raising – AZMS
Award Winner
·
Annual Sedona St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Community
Building– AZMS Award Winner
·
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Festival – Commerce Building
·
Annual Moonlight Madness Street Festival - Commerce &
Community Building
·
Annual Safe & Fun Trick or Treating– Community Building
·
Annual Holiday Tree Lighting– Community Building
·
Hands Through History-Sedona Western Films (3 events in
2005) – Cultural & Historical Preservation
What makes
Shirley’s contribution so special ???? Is it her doggedly determined
effort to bring SMSP’s new shopping guide to life ???? Is it her
determined effort to develop a map and directory of the SMSP district
area ???? Was it to show residents and visitors alike how to locate each
of the 250+ businesses, much like a kiosk in a shopping mall ????. Or
is she a glutton for Main Street Punishment????
After
obtaining a grant ($9,290) in September 2003 to fund the first ever SMSP
Directory, she directed her committee to design criteria and hired a
consultant for the project. Within nine months the first edition of the
Shopping & Business Directory & Map was distributed to members. Shirley
didn’t stop there and never has. She continues to add and conquer her
wish list of infinite possibilities that our Program can and will
achieve with her strong work ethics and her unwillingness to give up or
accept defeat.
Shirley’s
contribution to our Program and all within its boundaries are lucky to
have her as their champion, supporting each and every one of them by
being their #1 supporter. Shirley doesn’t understand the word no, and
doesn’t comprehend failure. She is a champion !. She is our winner !
For these reasons, we know Shirley is a Arizona
Main Street’s Individual of the Year and deserves recognition by the
State of Arizona and Governor Napolitano.
