The Mount Vernon Belvedere Association has honored five people with "Historic Mount Vernon" awards for their contributions to the midtown community this year.

Police Officer John Blueford was cited for enhancing public safety. City planner James Hall was honored for responding to neighborhood opposition to a proposed women's jail facility this year. Sgt. Barbara Rush of the city sanitation enforcement department was praised for pursuing illegal trash dumpers.

Myrna Peterson-Konajeski, a resident of Mount Vernon, was cited for leading opposition to the proposed state jail facility. Charles B. Duff Jr., president of Jubilee Baltimore and executive director of the Midtown Development Corp., won an award for his advocacy of the state historic tax credit program and increased homeownership in the city neighborhood.