For the first time since the award’s inception in 1995 some 30 years ago, the City of Burien will not honor a “Citizen of the Year” in 2025, citing a shift toward broader forms of community recognition and limited staff capacity.
“Every year, the Burien City Council honors community members who make outstanding contributions to our community by presenting them with the Citizen of the Year award,” the city says on its website.
Past recipients were traditionally chosen through public nominations, then selected at a City Council meeting, usually in the spring.
“Do you know someone who has improved the quality of life in Burien? Do you know of a program or organization that has helped others in the community? Help us recognize that person or organization for their contribution,” the city’s website that seeks nominations says.
Winners were usually honored at a council meeting, then served as Grand Marshal(s) of the city’s annual Independence Day Parade.
City Explains Reason Behind Award Pause
The city confirmed the pause in a statement provided to The B-Town Blog by Communications and Public Engagement Manager Devin Chicras.
“The City is currently exploring new and more expansive ways of celebrating community beyond this specific award program while also being mindful of limited staff time and resources,” Chicras told The B-Town Blog.
Chicras added that planning is ongoing for this year’s July 4th parade, and the Grand Marshal selection process is still underway.
“It is likely this process will also evolve to be more community-driven, and additional details will be shared as they become available,” she said.
Since 1995, awards have been given out by the city to business, educational, environmental and community activist leaders.
From 1995 to 2011, there were at least 85 awards given out in these categories:
- Business Leader Awards
- Educational Leader Awards
- Environmental Leader Awards
- Community Activist Leader Awards
- Citizen of the Year
Sometimes, more than one person, or an entire organization would be awarded, and two citizens won it twice (Luke Cruise and Jean Spohn).
In 2012, the city re-named the honor as “Citizen of the Year” and continued it through 2024.
No timeline was given for when or if the award might return in future years, or how it will be replaced.
Past Recipients Include:
Business Leader Awards
- 1995: Thomas Crawley, Downtown Burien Association
- 1996: Nice Day Coffee Co.
- 1997: Tom Gehl, Gehl Flowers; Daniel House, Dan The Sausage Man
- 1998: Linda Isernio, Interwest Bank
- 1999: Brian Gemeroy, Auto Paint Specialty; Judy Gill, The County Garden
- 2000: Jim Davis, Ty-con Plastercraft
- 2001: Duane Quande, Burien City Garage
- 2002: Kevin Fitz, Meal Makers Restaurant
- 2003: Douglas Moreland, Attorney at Law
- 2004: Dean Parkins, Business Consultant
- 2005: Mark Minium, Owner of Burien Honda
- 2006: Jim Hughes, Sal’s Delicatessen
- 2007: Ryan Warnes, BBC Dodge
- 2008: Mick Purdy and Adrian Kelly, Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub
- 2009: Harvey Aulgur
- 2010: Jerry Robinson, Highline Times
- 2011: Debra George
Educational Leader Awards
- 1995: Leslie Perry, Principal, Hazel Valley Elementary; Dr. Joseph McGeehan, Superintendent, Highline School District
- 1996: Rowena Chaney, Highline School District Museum
- 1997: Florence Smallwood, Literacy Program
- 1998: David D. Branson, Burien Community Computer Center
- 1999: Gertrude Pearson, Highline Fitness and Swim Club Instructor; Dorothy and Homer Lockett
- 2000: John Leonard
- 2001: Gloria Witters
- 2002: New Futures
- 2003: Darrell and Barbara Williams
- 2004: David Cotlove
- 2005: Carol Bobanick
- 2006: Highline High School Alumni Foundation
- 2007: Victoria Hall
- 2008: Alice Madsen
- 2009: Luke Cruise
- 2010: Luke Cruise
- 2011: Michael Stein-Ross
Environmental Leader Awards
- 2003: Lucy Krakowiak
- 2004: Emelie McNett
- 2005: Environmental Science Center
- 2006: Ede Seaman
- 2007: Jean Spohn
- 2008: Larry Moormeier
- 2009: Kevin Alexander
- 2010: Jean Spohn
- 2011: Brooks Stanfield
Community Activist Leader Awards
- 1995: Minnie O. Brasher
- 1996: Kathy Parker
- 1997: Al and Barbara Reamer; Ken and Carol Selander
- 1998: Joann Lawrence
- 1999: Mickey Kraut
- 2000: Pam Harper
- 2001: Margie McLaughlin
- 2002: Peggy Sharkey
- 2003: Dick Dahlgard
- 2004: Reverend Charles Kothe
- 2005: Mauricio Ayon
- 2006: Rochelle Flynn
- 2007: Fay Alpaugh
- 2008: Joan Cox
- 2009: Dane Johnson and Kathy Justin
- 2010: John Nelson
- 2011: Maggie Larrick and Eric Dickman
Citizen of the Year Award
- 2012: John Feeney
- 2013: Michael Noakes and Donna DiFiore
- 2014: Maureen Hoffmann, Betty Olson Vacca and Neighbors of Seahurst Park
- 2015: Eric Mathison
- 2016: Cassidy Huff
- 2017: Larry Cripe & Wendy Meyers-Wenger
- 2018: Para los Niños
- 2019: Cyndi Upthegrove
- 2020: Grace Stiller, Jenny Partch and Lina Thompson
- 2021: Roxana Pardo Garcia, and Don and Charlette Berg
- 2022: Tony Hayes, Nancy Salguero McKay, Rose Clark
- 2023: Vicky Hartley
- 2024: Mathew Brandis, aka “Matt from Wendy’s”
“It is likely this process will also evolve to be more community-driven”. The process WAS community-driven! Nominations came FROM the community… Maybe NOT having a Citizen of the Year is akin to teachers giving ALL children award certificates, and parents not willing to praise one of their kids without saying how wonderful ALL of their kids are… I question the reasoning behind this decision.