01/09/01

Nancy Masterton, left, accepts plaque from Town Council Chairwoman Penny Carson

Year 2000 Gould Award for Citizenship goes to Nancy Masterton

The winner of the 2000 Gould Award for Citizenship to the Town of Cape Elizabeth said there is a simple reason to serve. It's fun!

At last night's meeting of the Town Council, Chairwoman Penny Carson presented Nancy Nye Masterton with a plaque naming her the recipient of the Ralph T. Gould Award for Citizenship for the Year 2000.

After reading a list of previous Gould Award winners, Carson said, "Tonight we add someone who has given service to the town of Cape Elizabeth and to the state."

Masterton, a native of Massachusetts moved to Maine from Minnesota in 1962. She began her career of service by joining the League of Women Voters, and soon became area and state president.

She then joined the town's Planning Board, and in 1976 was elected to the Legislature, where she served on the influential appropriations committee. She served four terms in the Legislature.

In 1984 she was elected to the Town Council, where she chaired and served on several committees. She left the council in 1990, then several years after leaving the council she rejoined the Planning Board for a term that just ended.

"While all of this information is biographical," Carson said. "it does little truly capture the spirit of Nancy."

"She has been a strong advocate of democracy, a never-ceasing protector of the environment, a voice for the arts and against censorship, and has defended the need for an exceptional system of higher education in Maine," Carson said. She extolled her sense of humor, and the actions that have inspired others to serve.

Masterton joked that she would have only a few words on accepting the award, since she knew the council had other business to attend to. "I'm completely overwhelmed," she said.

"I've enjoyed my service to the town -- I wouldn't have done it otherwise. It's been fun!" she said.

Masterton's service outside of the town boundaries include membership on the board of trustees of the Portland Public Library, the Cumberland County Charter Commission, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection, the Maine Arts Commission, the Maine Historical Society Board of Trustees and several United Way committees.

This award, established in 1986, was named for the late Ralph Gould to recognize his community service and subsequently to recognize those who provide community service in the same spirit as Ralph Gould.