David Alvey of Richardson was voted by our readers the winner of this year’s Neighbors Choice Award as “Best Contributor” for the edition covering Richardson and Far North Dallas.

We invited Alvey, one of the most enthusiastic – and prolific – of all neighborsgo and neighborsgo.com contributors, to tell our readers more about himself, his interests and why he thinks he earned a place among our “Choice” award winners.

- How long have you been in Richardson/Far North Dallas area?

I was born in Fort Worth, so I am a native Texan. I lived in half a dozen states before graduating from a Florida high school. In 1977, I joined the Navy to see the world. In the process, I fell in love with storytelling.I served as a journalist aboard the USS Saratoga, an aircraft carrier from Jacksonville, Fla. I wrote everything from "Hometown News" releases to feature stories for the Navy Times and numerous civilian newspapers. At sea, I helped with a daily shipboard newspaper and a radio show and co-anchored the nightly TV news. Then I moved back to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, spending the next decade in advertising then starting Aardvark Studios, a public relations and marketing company, in 1992.But I still see myself primarily as a storyteller.

- Why do you think you were named Neighbors Choice Award winner by our readers?

I have a wide range of interests, so I submit a lot of stories and photos. I believe people enjoy reading positive stories about people in their community. One of my favorite subjects is The Heights Baptist Church, where I’ve been a member for seven years. I try to use the talents God gave me to tell good stories about what the church is doing in our community.

- What is your reaction to being chosen; are you surprised?

I was definitely surprised and honored to be chosen. It is humbling to be singled out as a community favorite, but it gives me great pride that people enjoy my stories.

- What do you think this award says about you?

People often come up to me and tell me they enjoyed a particular story or photo. That in itself is very satisfying. I hope the award simply means that I contribute something positive to my community.

- What do you think this will change for you as an individual?

Well, the million dollar prize money will buy some nice big boy toys. Oh, wait, I was just informed there is no prize money. Still, the air-conditioned cubicle at neighborsgo HQ is a very nice reward.

- What is the most important thing (or two) for our readers to know about you?

From the spring wildflowers to our quiet neighborhoods, I love Richardson.

- What would you say to others who might aspire to be a Neighbors Choice Award winner next year?

I encourage anyone who has a fear of writing to just write. Cover the who, what, when, where, why and how. Then let your passion bring the story to life.

- Closing remarks?

I’ve been excited about Neighbors and then neighborsgo from the very first issue. It has all the best qualities of a small-town community newspaper while taking full advantage of 21st century technology. I love reading about my neighbors.

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David Alvey and his wife, Carolyn, reside in northeast Richardson, where they are rearing three sons, all of whom will be attending Miller Elementary School in August.