DAVIDSON – The Town of Davidson announced that Town Attorney Richard J. Kline and Parks and Recreation staff members have been recognized for their service to the community.

The N.C. chapter of the American Planning Association awarded Kline the 2012 Marvin Collins Outstanding Planning Award for Distinguished Leadership by an Appointed Official.

The award honors officials or staff members who have made outstanding contributions to planning programs or activities.

The committee praised Kline’s knowledge of planning principles and practices, as well as land-use law, in helping the town implement its community design, land use and other planning goals in creative, legally defensible ways.

Kline has been Davidson’s attorney since 1976 and is recognized by local planners and his colleagues for an open-minded and diligent approach to land-use policy.

The Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg County named Davidson Parks and Recreation staffers Harold Voelker, Colleen Whalen and Leslie Willis “Employees of the Year,” as part of their annual tradition.

Mayor John Woods presented the North Mecklenburg County Rotary Club “Employee of the Year” award on behalf of the club, to the Parks and Recreation staff at the club’s Oct. 31 luncheon.

Voelker has been the face of Davidson’s athletic programs for more than a decade.

“His knowledge, expertise and commitment to our youths’ athletic endeavors is unquestioned. It is Harold’s ingrained pure joy and zest for life that makes him an integral part of the community,” said Parks and Recreation Manger Kathryn Spatz.

Willis has been with the town as the healthy living and wellness supervisor since summer 2011.

She has initiated several community activities, including a spring series of family fun fitness days throughout town, American Red Cross-certified babysitting training, master composting, the downtown restaurant crawl, and “Sushi 101.”

Whalen takes the lead in marketing and promotions, as well as scheduling and oversight of all Parks and Recreation cultural and hobby activities, classes and trips.

She has spearheaded a focus on program partnerships with the local business community, most notably on the cooking series with The Wooden Stone gallery.