Three years after cutting maintenance services at 16 Charlotte County parks, the county announced that it has won two awards for transformation of county parks and overall quality of service, based on a series of surveys sent to county residents.

In October, the county sent out a press release saying it had won the Voice of the People Awards for Transformation: County Parks and Overall Quality of County Service. County officials say the community surveys that led to the awards are an example of how the people of Charlotte County are having more of a say in their government. Critics say the surveys, and the awards, are a waste of taxpayers’ money.