AHOSKIE – Never let it be said that good things can’t happen in a small town.

On Monday, North Carolina Rural Development (NCRD) named Cindy Davenport as Manager of the Year for the multi-family housing project properties under NCRD’s jurisdiction throughout the state. Davenport is manager of Ahoskie’s Pine Gate Apartments.

&uot;I would like to thank Rural Development for this honor,&uot; said Davenport as she humbly accepted the award from Ginger Taylor of NCRD. &uot;They believed in me and the goals that I have made a priority since I became the manager of Pine Gate.&uot;

Davenport shared the award with the Pine Gate residents.

&uot;Without their help, this would not have been possible,&uot; she stated. &uot;This is a wonderful award for the Pine Gate residents, for Ahoskie and for Hertford County. Together, we’re number one in the entire state of North Carolina.&uot;

The award winner also passed the praise upon Boyd Management, who oversees her work at Pine Gate.

&uot;Boyd Management is also number one,&uot; stressed Davenport. &uot;They’ve been so great to work with.&uot;

That firm passed the praise right back on Davenport.

&uot;When you think of the meaning of excellence, you think of doing things in the right way with the right attitude,&uot; noted David Metz of Boyd Management. &uot;Cindy Davenport does exactly that and she does it with a smile on her face. Being the best means being at your best and Cindy is the best.&uot;

Ahoskie Town Manager Russell Overman said he was proud of Davenport in two ways.

&uot;I take personal pride and pleasure in Cindy’s award because we grew up together,&uot; he said. &uot;Now, at Town Hall, we hear of all the good things happening here at Pine Gate. We are proud of your accomplishments and we congratulate you on this very deserving award.&uot;

Davenport earned the award from among the managers representing 621 multi family apartment complexes that operate statewide under NCRD.

&uot;Cindy didn’t let the limitations of operating a small apartment complex in a small town become a barrier,&uot; said Metz. &uot;That’s not her style. She’s always looking at the positives of a situation, not the negatives.&uot;

He continued, &uot;Cindy is the type of person that does a thousand things one percent better rather than doing one thing a thousand percent better. That’s why the 56 families here at Pine Gate do not want to leave. They want to stay here because of Cindy Davenport.&uot;

Taylor pointed out the facts behind the Davenport’s selection as the best manager in the entire state.

&uot;She was tops in tenant satisfaction, the property is well maintained and her records were accurate and up-to-date,&uot; noted Taylor. &uot;It’s easy to see that Cindy is dedicated to her job and that she is very deserving of this award.&uot;

In addition, Davenport was praised for her effort in helping her young tenants to read.

&uot;She encourages the kids to read,&uot; said Ahoskie librarian Cindy Henderson. &uot;She has hosted several reading programs right here under these shade trees. Instead of taking the kids to the library, she brought the library to them. She has given these children a gift that will last a lifetime.&uot;

Just as Cindy Davenport gave to Ahoskie and Hertford County by allowing the area to gain statewide recognition thanks to her Manager of the Year award.