Mukilteo Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

A few of the past Mukilteo Citizens of the Year (COYs) recently were asked what it means to have received the Mukilteo Citizen of the Year award.

"When Skip and I received word that we were selected Citizens of the Year 2001, we felt so many different emotions – shocked, surprised, honored, and humbled," said Skip Kidd and Lynette Gardiner-Kidd, the 2001 Mukilteo Citizens of the Year. "Volunteering in our community is what we do and have always done. Being civically minded and being recognized by our peers for our behind the scenes contributions makes living in Mukilteo enjoyable."

Stan Lundgard, 2015 Mukilteo COY said, "I was humbled and honored when I learned I was selected as Citizen of the Year. I have volunteered with organizations because I enjoyed doing so and because I felt I was giving back to the community. I was not doing it for recognition. I have heard my daughters tell friends that I was COY, so apparently they are proud of the fact."

Debra Brown Bordsen, the 2016 recipient, understood the rich history of the award.

"I was very surprised and very humbled to receive the award because of the amazing people who have received the award before me, such as both my parents – Lois and Bruce Brown ­– Skip and Lynette Kidd, Tim Taylor, Jeannie James and so many others," she said. "I was touched to be included with such great people. I believe the award honors those citizens, who have built a body of work over the years of giving back to Mukilteo to make it a better place for all of us."

Do you know someone that you'd like to nominate and see recognized for their contributions to the Mukilteo community?

The rules are simple. Nominees must live in the City of Mukilteo. No one who holds a political office or who is a paid supporter of Mukilteo is eligible. No self-nominating is permitted.

The voting committee made up of past COYs will meet to vote after the nomination deadline of June 11. The 2021 Mukilteo Citizen of the Year will be announced this summer and will be honored during the Mukilteo Lighthouse Parade.

The award, sponsored by the Mukilteo Kiwanis Club, has been given out annually (with a few exceptions) since 1970

For nomination forms check out this week's Mukilteo Beacon and future editions.

Award facts

The first award was given out in 1970. It has been awarded annually with the exception of two years – 1971 and 1985. This year's winner will be the 62nd recipient.

In some years, more than one person won, such as in 2012 when Steve and Darlene Conkle were named co-Citizens of the Year. This has happened a total of 10 times – 11 if you include 1977's winner, the Mukilteo Volunteer Firemen.

Some families have been represented more than once. The Taylors lead the way with four winners, and the Browns, Colliers, Coffins, Conkles, Kidds, and Ameses all have multiple winners as well.

Past award winners

1970 – George Losvar/David Burklund

1972 – Mrs. Bartle Kane

1973 – Mrs. Richard Pallas/Mrs. Randall

Gersch

1974 – Jack Gribble/Wallace Brodniak

1975 – Orin Fry/Paul Kimball

1976 – Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Coffin

1977 – Mukilteo Volunteer Firemen

1978 – MaryLou Morrow/"Jinks" Losvar

Hitchcock

1979 – Dick Taylor/Ed Taylor

1980 – Larry Corbaley

1981 – Helen Wilkes

1982 – Emory Cole

1983 – Roger Stam

1984 – Chuck Davis

1986 – Tom Bannister

1987 – Nancy Titus

1988 – Bill Scheller

1989 – Lois Livingston

1990 – Opal McConnell

1991 – Carol Goldberg

1992 – Mim Loree

1993 – Bob McBride

1994 – Helen Merriman

1995 – Lois Bellemans Brown

1996 – Mike Daffron

1997 – Jeanie James

1998 – Linda Murray

1999 – Helen Conway

2000 – Chris Wilson

2001 – Earl "Skip" Kidd/Lynette

Gardiner-Kidd

2002 – Bruce Brown

2003 – Pam Glasco

2004 – Tim Taylor

2005 – Ann Collier

2006 – Joann and Larry Ames

2007 – Don Doran

2008 – Paul Archipley

2009 – Tony McNulty

2010 – Ann Jordan

2011 – Elizabeth Erickson

2012 – Steve and Darlene Conkle

2013 – Kathy Wisbeck

2014 – John Collier

2014 – Jim Brice (posthumously awarded)

2015 – Stan Lundgaard

2016 – Debra Bordsen

2017 – Pam Taylor

2018 – Nhi Pham

2019 – Matt Martin

2020 – Dode Carlson