For the Reporter

King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer receives the Public Official of the Year Award at the 56th Annual Civic Awards event April 2.

The Municipal League in Seattle hosts the ceremonies at the Renaissance Hotel. The awards dinner recognizes the accomplishments of those who make outstanding contributions to the region and to better government.

“The Public Official Award is an honor that is enhanced by the respect I have for two previous recipients: Dr. Bill Gerberding and Norm Maleng,” von Reichbauer said. “I am particularly honored to receive this award because two previous recipients were personal friends and professional heroes of mine.

“Dr. Bill Gerberding served as President of the University of Washington from 1979 to 1995, and continued to serve our region until we lost him this past December. King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng was a respected national leader in criminal justice reform, who never lost touch with his hometown roots.”

Other 2015 Civic Award winners include: Citizen of the Year, Bill Hobson; Community News Reporting, The Seattle Medium; Organization of the Year, Visit Seattle; James R. Ellis Regional Leadership Award, David Brewster; and Public Employee of the Year, Valerie Segrest.

Although von Reichbauer represents the southernmost district in King County, he has been a leader in bringing together the 39 cities and neighboring counties to work together on regional issues.

Von Reichbauer has chaired the council as well as on the budget, transportation and regional policy committees. He has championed intergovernmental cooperation on regional issues (focusing on transportation) between the suburban cities and neighboring counties.

He strongly believes in the financial and social benefits of sports to a region, and was the broker in saving the Seattle Seahawks from moving to California in 1996. He led the fight to persuade Paul Allen to purchase the team when the moving vans were in the process of shipping the team’s equipment out of state.

In addition, as budget chair, von Reichbauer worked to save baseball in Seattle when the Kingdome was falling in disrepair and fought to bring Safeco Field in on budget.

“Sports have always been a minefield for local politicians, but I have, and continue to believe, the economic and social benefits are worth the political risk,” von Reichbauer said.

Von Reichbauer was unanimously recognized by the King County Council as the original “12th man” and was presented a 12th man jersey by Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, and general manager John Schneider, at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2.