(Credit: Jason Espie) (Credit: Rex Linville/PEC)
Contact:
Peter Krebs, Albemarle + Charlottesville Community Organizer
The Piedmont Environmental Council
[email protected]; 434-465-9869
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. (Aug. 31, 2021) – On Friday, Aug. 27, The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Piedmont Mobility Alliance recognized recently-retired Albemarle County Greenways Coordinator Dan Mahon for more than 20 years of service as a “local greenways and blueways pioneer in central Virginia.” Mahon’s friend and colleague Tim Padalino wrote and shared a sincere, but lighthearted, proclamation honoring Mahon’s passion, vision and labor, while PEC’s Albemarle-Charlottesville Community Organizer Peter Krebs presented Mahon a hand-crafted trophy upcycled from an old boot.
PEC’s Piedmont Mobility Alliance is a group of activists, organizations, professionals, and community members who share a vision of a better-connected community for walking, biking and other forms of active transportation in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Mahon is the first recipient of what the group hopes will become an annual award recognizing pioneers, founders and others who have done extraordinary work toward that goal.
“It is important for movements like ours, which envision a different kind of future, to recognize the work of those who have inspired and moved us forward. Dan Mahon created the county’s greenways program, a project that has, during his time and through his efforts, become one of the county’s top priorities,” said Krebs, who organizes the alliance’s meetings and activities.
Upon accepting his award, Mahon said: “It’s been a real honor to show up in this community years ago and make this thing happen. Looking at all the organizations and groups out here now working with us, it wasn’t always like that. It was pretty lonely for a long time. There was a lot of resistance to the ideas we were trying to put on the ground…. If anyone asks how it’s done, I would say patience, patience, determination, and simply more patience.”
“The pandemic really showed something we have been talking about… our outdoors spaces are healing places,” he added to rousing applause.
‘When Dan Mahon began his work, he was a rare voice. Now, as he continues in new roles, he will have many by his side,” said Krebs.
To learn more about PEC’s Piedmont Mobility Alliance, visit: pecva.org/mobilityalliance.
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Since 1972, The Piedmont Environmental Council has proudly promoted and protected the natural resources, rural economy, history and beauty of the Virginia Piedmont. PEC empowers residents to protect what makes the Piedmont a wonderful place, and works with citizens to conserve land, improve air and water quality and build thriving communities. PEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and accredited land trust. Learn more at www.pecva.org