*editor’s note: This story has been modified because it originally stated that Jim Ellis had died last summer, which was incorrect.
In recognition of his ability to legislate solutions for the state’s “non-partisan” issues, the only East side Republican in the state House, Mercer Island’s Fred Jarrett, has been awarded as the Public Official of the Year by the Municipal League of King County.
Last week, the organization that has honored civic leaders since 1960 announced the 2007 recipients, who will be presented their awards on April 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Seattle’s Space Needle.
“I can’t think of a Democrat or a Republican out there that deserves this award more,” said Representative Skip Priest (R-30), a friend and colleague from Federal Way. “Fred is known down here as one of the most thoughtful legislators in Olympia.”
“We rely on him for his positive contributions on the economy, higher education, and transportation. We are lucky to have him because he is the one with the ability to provide great insight to all these issues. These issues Fred works on are beyond party labels. They are not partisan issues,” Priest said.
The organization defines Jarrett’s award as an elected or appointed public official or department head who, in addition to routine service, has brought to the office one or more outstanding innovations or contributions.
“We are thrilled and very proud of him because Fred has worked very hard at bridging the gaps with the needs of growth,” said Richard Debolt, a fellow House Republican in Olympia. “He has what it takes in Olympia to make bills work for both the state’s suburban and metropolitan populations.”
“For example, on the issue of transportation he has taken a situation that is a problem for the entire state and found working solutions,” Debolt added. “He is very solution oriented and he has been able to find solutions to solve the state’s problems.”
The Municipal League of Seattle is an organization of volunteers dedicated to recognizing and promoting effective and responsive government. The county organization began in 1910. It has been awarding local leaders since 1960 in recognition of the often unnoticed work of public officials, private citizens, and organizations that have improved local government.
“I’ve been involved in local government for years invested in making it work,” Jarret said. “I’ve always thought that the government is a tool to make communities a better place and it’s astonishing that someone noticed,” Jarrett said. “I also had the honor to know Jim Ellis. I have worked with him and to be awarded for something we always thought he embodied is a tremendous honor.”
Jim Ellis has been a citizen activist in King County for over half of a century. Since the 1950s, Ellis found ways to improve and preserve the regions environment. In the 1950s he worked to clean up Lake Washington. In the 1960s he found ways to finance mass transit, parks, pools, and numerous public facilities. Then he worked to preserve farmlands in the 1970s and has helped establish the Mountains to Sound Greenway along the I-90 corridor in since the 1990s.
In addition to Jarrett, several Islanders have been honored by the Municipal League. In 2002, as a representative for the 41st district, Ida Ballasiotes was awarded as the Public Official of the Year. Aubrey Davis has been honored twice, including the James R. Ellis Regional Leadership award in 1994.
“We pick individuals that have continually shown exemplary leadership,” said Bruce Carter, the league Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Fred has been able to work effectively across the aisle and has been a long-time local leader known for his regional solutions to the statewide transportation problems.”
The Municipal League, which rates candidates during election campaigns, has consistently ranked Jarrett as an outstanding candidate. Before he was elected to the state House, Jarrett served on the Mercer Island School Board, City Council, and was mayor from 1983 to 1987.
This year’s Municipal League Honors:
Walt Crowley, Citizen of the Year
William Ruckelshaus, Magnuson Award
Fred Jarrett, State Representative, Public Official of the Year
John Okamoto, Port of Seattle, Public Employee of the Year
Asian Counseling and Referral Service, Organization of the Year
Erica C. Barnett, The Stranger, Government News Reporting of the Year
George Cheung, Lopez and Cheung, Inc., Mason Award
Randy Revelle, James R. Ellis Regional Leadership Award
Kathy Elias, Outstanding Volunteer