Community active. The 2012 Quality of Life Survey shows that nine out of 10 Pensacola voters believe he has the city going in the right direction. IN readers appreciate the mayor and have voted him “Best Local Politician” for the second consecutive year.
BELLE BEAR
Ashton Hayward-Winner: Best Local Politician
ASHTON HAYWARD
Winner: Best Local Politician Runner Up: Best Community Leader
838 3
Pensacola’s first strong mayor has changed the culture of city government from passive and reactive to pro-
Winner: Best Behind The Scenes Volunteer Serving the community without any fanfare, Belle Bear is a “lifelong community volunteer and philanthropist” as the IMPACT 100 website said. “During college, my sorority required all freshmen to do a certain number of hours of volunteer work,” Bear said. “I found great pleasure in helping others.” Whether she’s serving on a board, hosting a charity event or recruiting volunteers, Bear is hands on in her good work. Bear humbly works in the background, which is how she
prefers it. “As often as possible I prefer to be an invisible worker, because it is about the needy and the work, not about the person.”
BRIAN HOOPER
Winner: Best Rising Leader Brian Hooper was recently named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers magazine. Now IN readers have thrown another “Rising” title his way. The Harvard Law grad is an attorney with Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon. He’s also an active voice in community issues. Currently, Hooper is helping to shape a vision for the future of downtown Pensacola as head of the Mayor’s Urban Redevelopment Advisory Committee.
COLLIER MERRILL
Winner: Best Community Leader Runner Up: Best Person to Have on Your Side
inweekly.net