2022 Hometown Heroes

The Decatur City Commission gave out 5 individual Hometown Hero awards at the December DBA virtual Holiday party. The recipients were Maria Alvarez, Jenn Ballentine, Beth Ann Clanin, Cody Jackman, and Ed Lee. 

Maria Alvarez
Nominated by Cristina Montesinos

With an infectious energy and charm, Maria Alvarez has added important diversity and depth to the festivals and activities of Decatur.  Since she moved here almost four years ago, she has been an asset to Decatur. Maria is a founding member of Placita Latina, our fun and successful Hispanic Heritage Month festival organization. She is an essential member of the board, soliciting and gathering donations, leading and organizing and developing the events. Salsa on the Square grew from 200 attendees the first year to 3,000 filling the square the second year. Maria has been active in the DBA for three years, acting as treasurer and encouraging businesses to work together and support each other. As an active board member and treasurer of OUT Georgia, Maria has also brought the monthly business builder luncheons back to Decatur and encouraging the LGBTQ community to visit and fall in love with our city, therefore bringing in more business. Maria has made our city a better place to live through her ideas, infectious energy, tireless work, volunteering and bringing awareness to so many important underrepresented folks.

Jenn Ballentine
Nominated by Shannon Kadow

Jenn deserves this honor for many reasons, including her organizing ability, her commitment to and volunteerism for City of Decatur schools, and her energy and enthusiasm for all things that happen in our city. First, when my family moved here eight years ago, Jenn was the first person I met on our street. She greets new neighbors with an introduction and a pan of homemade brownies. She has organized countless block parties, end of school celebrations and camping trips for families to meet and bond. Second, Jenn has volunteered as PTA President at Winnona Park Elementary, as School Leadership Team (SLT) board member at Beacon Hill Middle School, and SLT board member at Decatur High. In the last two roles, Jenn brought her skills as a professional evaluator and conducted focus groups that revealed important information about the quality of life for teachers and all staff. Finally, Jenn is a living testament to the vitality and richness of Decatur’s community. A graduate of Decatur 101, she has volunteered and attends the Decatur Book Festival every year, attends high school plays, football games, beach party, concerts on the square and many more. She is a humble and effective leader and a force for celebrating the people and talents that make Decatur special.

Beth Ann Clanin
Nominated by Jim Clanin

Beth Ann Clanin exemplifies the definition of a Hometown Hero. She works tirelessly participating in school board and local government meetings. She volunteers consistently at many Decatur events including the Arts Festival, Season of Giving, and the MLK, Jr. Service Project to name a few. She has a huge heart delivering meals and visiting with Decatur’s seniors on a regular basis. Beth Ann is actively involved in the PTA and is always a room mom at her daughter’s school.
 

Cody Jackman
Nominated by Jack Jackman

During his years in Decatur middle and high schools, Cody Jackman accumulated more than 200 volunteer hours for Decatur events and festivals. For the Book Festival and Arts Festival he typically volunteered from set-up to close-down and started serving as an event captain when he was just 14 years old. As a member of Decatur High School’s JROTC, Cody often recruited students to volunteer for the various events. Currently Cody is working to become an EMT and wants to continue serving the community by pursuing a career in law enforcement or as a firefighter. Even though I am nominating Cody for this award as his father, he has earned this honor under his own merits.

Ed Lee
Nominated by Gary Garrett

Ed Lee serves the City of Decatur in a variety of ways. He co-chairs the Better Together Advisory Board, a group of citizens engaged in creating an equitable, inclusive community moving toward the “Beloved Community” in Decatur. He moderated the Decatur Anti-Racism speaker series in 2021-2022, evoking a range of deep-rooted questions akin to Dan Rather or William Buckley, Jr. He moderated the DBA Black History month conversation on Jobs or Income! A Neighborly Conversation on Black Entrepreneurship and Economic Justice presented by LaToya Tucciarone and Ed Lee. He assisted the City Schools of Decatur High Debate Team and provided coaching and mentoring to several groups of outstanding debaters. He led Decatur’s efforts in its 2018 presentation to the National Civic League (NLC), a critical component of the city portfolio presented and ultimately awarded the All-America City designation. Ed epitomizes the essence of Decatur – engaged, committed, community-minded, giving, leading and as one who models the concept of “paying his civic rent in abundance.”