The Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) annual member appreciation event was held virtually March 5, and several area officials and school organizations were honored. 

Creswell native and Lane County Sheriff Clifton Harrold was named outstanding elected official and Cottage Grove city manager Richard Meyers was named outstanding public employee. 

Here’s the list of awardees:

Outstanding Elected Official: Cliff Harrold, Lane County Sheriff and Creswell resident 

Outstanding Citizen: Melanie Stanley, the “unofficial mayor” of Blue River

Outstanding Public Employee: Richard Meyers, city manager of Cottage Grove 

Outstanding Public Career: Pete Sorenson, Lane County Commissioner for over two decades 

Outstanding Intergovernmental Team: Seventeen Holiday Farm Fire agencies

Regional Award of Merit for Economic Enhancement: Austin Ramirez 

Special Public Service Award: Bethel and Eugene 4J Schools Nutrition Services

For more information on the event, visit lcog.org.