The Town recognized one of its most civic-minded citizens Monday night as the Town Council presented Gilbert S. Jordan with the Ralph T. Gould Award for 2001.

Jordan, who was in attendance to receive a thank-you plaque for serving as chairman of the Facilities 2000 building committee, was presented the award by Town Council Chairwoman Anne Swift-Kayatta.

Jordan began to walk away from the podium after receiving the first plaque, but was immediately called back when Kayatta said, "Just a minute ... "

A 38-year veteran of the Cape Elizabeth Fire Department's corps of volunteers, Jordan is the 15th recipient of the Ralph T. Gould Award, established to recognize long-term community service in the name of its benefactor.

Swift-Kayatta described Gilly Jordan as "one of those citizens who steps forward when there is a need," and his long list of service proves it. He is one of the founders of the Cape Elizabeth Rescue Unit, and has served as captain of Engine 1. Aside from the Fire Department he has led several town committees, most notably the Facilities 2000 Committee where he was responsible for overseeing the planning of the new Public Works Garage and other improvements to the Gull Crest Property near the town's Recycling Center. He also guided that committee to decisions to renovate the old Public Works Garage into a fire station and to construct a new police station on Ocean House Road.

Currently Jordan is serving as chairman of the Community Center Planning Committee. But, said Swift-Kayatta, in addition to these quite public efforts, he has quietly planted flowers at both the Town Hall and the Public Safety Building in the town center along with his wife Barbara. Not only did he donate the flowers to be planted, but the labor as well.

"Gilbert Jordan is a person who dreams of what can be accomplished, and then sets out toe see the dreams become reality," Swift-Kayatta said. "He has truly acted in the spirit of Ralph Gould in placing Cape Elizabeth at the forefront of his priorities."