2022 Citizens Recognition Awards Ceremony

The annual Citizens Recognition Awards were held for the first time since 2019! This morning, we honored those who went above & beyond.

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission, upon the recommendation of the Citizens Committee of Recognition, acknowledges individuals every year whose efforts and achievements have contributed to the growth of our City. The program, began in 1972, and the purpose is to publicly recognize citizens who have contributed in significant ways to the development of this community. The honorees are selected by the committee and the committees' recommendations are then forwarded to the City Commission for approval. Since the inception of the program, we have celebrated 138 honorees and proudly added the 2019 and 2020 recipients to that list today.

Each honoree has provided decades of distinguished leadership and vision, while making meaningful contributions to the progress and advancement of the City. To view the ceremony, visit https://youtu.be/cnXIeG_Gqr8

Here are the winners!

2019 Honorees:
Honored Founder- The Late Frank Stranahan (accepted by Historic Stranahan House Museum Interim Director Mathew McAloon & staff)

Exemplary Former City Employee- The Late Jack Lokeinsky (accepted by family members)

Distinguished Citizen- Gale Butler

Citizen of the Year- The Late Marcia Pinder (accepted by family members)

2020 Honorees:
Heroes of the Pandemic- A tribute to educators, health care professionals, and public safety personnel.

• EDUCATORS -
  • Esther Charles, Principal, Riverland Elementary
  • Shanell Washington, Teacher, Sheridan Tech High School
• HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS -
  • Broward Health Representatives Bill Griffith and Erick Pena
  • Holy Cross Hospital Director of Emergency Services Richard Van Rensselaer
  • Florida Department of Health Representative Scott Glincher
• PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL -
  • Fort Lauderdale Police Department Chief Lynn and Officer Payne and Margate Police Officer Michael Sepot
  • Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief Kerr, Lieutenant Goulet, and firefighters Benjamin Glenn and Michael Romero

A big thank you to the members of the Citizens Committee of Recognition for all their hard work!

• Chair of the Committee and Former Mayor Jack Seiler
• Board Member and Former Mayor Jim Naugle (not pictured)
• Board Member and Former Commissioner Romney Rogers
• Board Member Michael Albetta, Designee from the Fort Lauderdale Council of Civic Associations (not pictured)
• Board Member Genia Ellis, Past Honoree and President and CEO of Fort Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Inc.
• Board Member Ina Lee, Past Honoree and President of Travelhost Magazine (not pictured)

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