The Historic East Nashville Merchants Association (HENMA) is now taking nominations for East Nashvillian of the Year for 2008. This is the first year of a new annual award highlighting people and businesses who exemplify the best of all the positive aspects of life in East Nashville. There will be one winner in each of two categories. The first will be for a business or business owner that in 2008 portrayed the best of what East Nashville has to offer. The second award is for a private citizen who best symbolizes what being a good East Nashville neighbor means.

 

"We are excited to offer this award because great things happen in East Nashville every day and now we have a chance to recognize what people consider the best of the best", said Eric Jans, president of HENMA and owner of Eric Jans Insurance Agency. "Having an opportunity to acknowledge and highlight individuals and businesses who contribute so many positives to this area of East Nashville will be an excellent reminder of all the great things we have going on in the neighborhood."

 

HENMA Vice President and Chop Shop salon owner Wynn Smith says, "Living in East Nashville challenges a lot of people to think about issues and answers to improve our neighborhood. This award will celebrate those who made their good intentions materialize. And hopefully, shining a light on them will inspire us all to follow through with our own."

 

Amber Robertson-Smith, secretary/treasurer of HENMA and co-owner of Art Dude Creative says, "East Nashville is a very proud neighborhood.  Our neighbors genuinely care about one another and want to see each other succeed.  This award is a fine representation of the goodness that abounds in East Nashville."

 

Winners will receive a $200 prize and the recognition at the first HENMA meeting of 2009. Nominations will be accepted through the Historic East Nashville Merchants Association website at http://www.eastnashville.org or by email to ericjans@comcast.net. Nominations should include a brief description of the nominee's accomplishments in 2008 for voting consideration. Voting will take place in November by the members of the Historic East Nashville Merchants Association and announced by the end of the year.

 

The Historic East Nashville Merchants Association is a business collective formed in 2003 to foster a cooperative spirit between businesses located in Historic Nashville's East Bank Business District. Its member businesses work in concert with government and neighborhood associations to improve the welfare, commerce and quality of life in East Nashville. For more information visit the website at http://www.eastnashville.org