Community Leaders Honored at Lane Council of Governments’ Member Appreciation Dinner

The Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) held its Annual Member Appreciation Dinner on Friday, March 8 at the historic Cottage Grove Armory. More than 130 elected and appointed officials, business and community members, and public employees from across Lane County attended the dinner, which also included a silent auction that raised nearly $3,000 for the LCOG Senior Meals Program. That’s 300 meals!

Each year, LCOG celebrates regional accomplishments for the prior year and recognizes Elected Officials, Public Employees, Citizens, Intergovernmental Teams, Economic Enhancement work, and those who have dedicated their lives to public service.

The annual award for Outstanding Elected Official was given to State Senator Floyd Prozanski who has done incredible work for our region in the Oregon Legislature since 1994. The Outstanding Citizens Award was presented to volunteers from St. Vincent de Paul Egan Warming Centers. Michael Wargo, Executive Director of Willamalane Park and Recreation District was recognized as the Outstanding Public Employee for his exemplary performance and service. Veneta City Councilor Robbie McCoy was honored for her heroic act of stopping a fire a man set at the Veneta-Fern Ridge Chamber of Commerce in the fall of 2023.

The award for Outstanding Public Career was presented to Kristie Hammitt, Eugene Assistant City Manager.

The award for Outstanding Intergovernmental Team was presented to Rivers to Ridges Partnership. Their combined efforts of many regional, state, and federal partners has improved the quality of life for residents in the upper Willamette Valley by protecting and enhancing the region’s land and water resources and their ecosystem functions and values and providing environmental education and compatible outdoor recreation opportunities.

Also recognized was Big City Gamin’, which was awarded the Outstanding Economic Enhancement Award. They turned their business into a warming shelter for the public during the ice storm in January 2024.

Debra Guiley of the Lane Council of Governments was honored with our first Outstanding Senior Advocate Award for her dedication to LCOG’s Senior Meals Program as the Northwest Neighbors Café 60 Site Coordinator.

The late Carleen Reilly was awarded for her Outstanding Community Service for her longtime service to the River Road community in Eugene. Her husband accepted the award on her behalf.

Special recognition for Lifetime Public Service was given to Terry McDonald, former Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, for his more than 50 years of service do the organization.