Applause
Published 3:38 pm Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Conservation workers carry home awards
The Snohomish Conservation District recently received the 2015 Northwest Area District of the Year award from the Washington State Conservation Commission. The local district was selected from 10 member districts.
The Snohomish district was recognized in part for its outreach program, Better Ground (find it online at www.better ground.org).
Meanwhile, Snohomish Conservation District Manager Monte Marti received the Northwest Area Manager of the Year award. Marti was honored in part for his commitment to forming productive partnerships with a wide variety of groups, including local tribes and cities.
Learn more about the district at www.snohomishcd.org or call Marti at 425-377-7001.
‘Smart’ commuters get transit nod
Each quarter Community Transit recognizes standout participants and employers in its Choice Connections program who are dedicated to alternative transportation choices. These are the Choice Connections award winners for the second quarter of 2015.
Curb the Congestion Champion of the Quarter: Chris Lyson, of Lynnwood, sold his car and now uses only transit for his commute to Swedish Hospital in Seattle. Lyson has taken the bus to work every day for more than three years, worth 5,200 in drive-alone miles.
Smart Commuter of the Quarter: Samantha Brown of Mill Creek works in human resources at Cascadia College, where she advocates for smart commutes to more than 450 full-time and part-time staff and faculty at her worksite in Bothell. Brown has walked, carpooled, biked or taken the bus to work for the past 20 years.
Employee Transportation Coordinator of the Quarter: Kelvin Nesvog coordinates efforts at Edmonds Community College, helping to reduce more than 1,000 drive-alone trips in the second quarter alone.
Employer of the Quarter: The city of Edmonds sponsors a successful Bike to Work Day commute station, and had outstanding participation in the Bike Month Challenge. In the second quarter, the city saved more than 800 gallons of gasoline from being used and prevented more than 16,000 pounds of CO2 from being emitted by reducing its employees’ single-occupant work trips.
To learn more about the Choice Connections program, go to www.communitytransit/ChoiceConnections.
Arlington Kiwanis honor 60-year resident
The Arlington Kiwanis Club named Mike Nordine its 2015 Arlington Kiwanis Citizen of the Year at a recent banquet.
Nordine has lived in Arlington for 60 years and began his downtown muffler business in 1985. He supports the Arlington Arts Council, Arlington Boys &Girls Club and downtown activities. He also is known for his muffler sculptures. He is married and has five children.
Local paratransit driver named best
The Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association named Michael “Chev” Morgan as its 2015 Paratransit Driver of the Year.
Morgan is described as a safe driver who is willing to help train new drivers and keeps an upbeat sense of humor. Morgan joined Mercy Transportation in 2010 after spending four years on workers compensation following an accident on a construction site.
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