City of Fort Lauderdale, FL

07/06/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/06/2022 09:41

2022 Citizens Recognition Awards Ceremony

The annual Citizens Recognition Awards were held for the first time since 2019 on Tuesday, July 6, 2022!

We celebrated and honored Fort Lauderdale citizens whose efforts and achievements foster civic pride and responsibility, encourage public service, develop appreciation of the City's heritage, and have significantly contributed to the development of our community.

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)

This category honors a courageous citizen who prepared the way for future growth and harmony in Fort Lauderdale.

Exemplary Former City Employee- The Late Jack Lokeinsky

(accepted by family members)

This category honors a former City employee who served the citizens of Fort Lauderdale for a substantial number of years and whose service had a significant impact on development and quality of life for the community.

Distinguished Citizen- Gale Butler

This category honors a resident of the community who has contributed to the development of Fort Lauderdale over numerous years. (i.e., a pioneer).

Citizen of the Year- The Late Marcia Pinder

(accepted by family members)

This category honors a person who has made the greatest contribution to the community in the award year. This person must be a Fort Lauderdale resident.

2020 Honorees:

Heroes of the Pandemic

A tribute to educators, health care professionals, and public safety personnel.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, our first responders faced incredible challenges to keep our Fort Lauderdale communities safe. Public safety workers continued to uphold their oath to protect and serve during a worldwide pandemic. While we honor and celebrate these heroes every day, we dedicate the 2020 Citizens recognition awards to the Heroes of the Pandemic and thank them for their selflessness and dedication.

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)