At the Issaquah Community Awards on Tuesday, Mayor Ava Frisinger said it best when she remarked that although he may have spent many years trying to avoid the limelight, the time had come for him to be publicly recognized for the many great things he has done for this city.

She was speaking of Leon Kos, newly retired Issaquah City Administrator and now, apparently, intrepid traveler. For even now, as he was being awarded one of the most prestigious community honors in the city, induction into the Issaquah Hall of Fame, Kos had avoided the spotlight – he was rumored to be tucked away in some isolated corner of northern British Columbia.

Frisinger, who personally has worked very closely with Kos during her decade as mayor, said his contribution to the city “can’t be summed up in three minutes, because they took place over 33 years.”

Using terms like “service,” “leadership,” “civic mindedness,” and “inspiration,” Frisinger said one of Kos’ most remarkable attributes was “the ability to find a way when others would have given up.”

As Kos steps away from the city’s leadership after more than three decades, among the achievements he will be remembered for are the development of a parks system that is unparalleled in a city of its size. During his tenure, Issaquah has become a leader in resource conservation and green initiatives, frequently mentioned as an example of how to balance urban concerns with retaining the character of a village.

Reading the comments of others, Frisinger said “many of you can probably see an image of Leon working tirelessly in the background to make these things happen.”

The Hall of Fame induction, in absentia, culminated what continues to be an event of great optimism and community spirit. It was an afternoon full of stories about selflessness, doing good for others, and building the community of trust and respect that many Washingtonians see as their ideal but which rarely comes as close to fruition as it does here.

Perhaps the biggest ovation of many was reserved for Kiwanis Club Volunteer of the Year, LeeAnna Hayes. When Kiwanis President Connie Fletcher read out a list of some of her enormously charitable acts, the audience fell silent, humbled by Hayes’ remarkable spirit. As a fundraiser for child services, supporting drug and alcohol rehabilitation services, or as a surrogate family for many people, young and old, with nowhere else to go, Hayes has become known in the city as a person of tremendous charity, empathy and kindness.

Rarely has a standing ovation at an awards ceremony been so deserved.

Later in the afternoon, Issaquah Community Bank President Bob Ittes was named Citizen of the Year, for his efforts to emphasize the “community” in the often beleaguered profession.

For a full-time professional, Ittes ability to contribute to a large number of local groups, including the Chamber of Commerce, Issaquah Historial Society, Issaquah Schools Foundation, Providence Marianwood, Kiwanis and Rotary, and the Visitor Infomation Center, speaks volumes of his energy for the people of Issaquah.

“It has always been my honor to be of service this community,” he said.

A full list of award recipients follows.

2010 Annual Community Awards

Volunteer of the Year Award – Sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Issaquah: LeeAnna Hayes

Environmental Excellence Award – Sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Issaquah: The Issaquah Stream Team

Human & Spiritual Values Award – Sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Issaquah: Paul Winterstein

Lifesaver Award – Sponsored by Eastside Fire & Rescue: Danny Holliway

Golden Apple Award – Sponsored by Issaquah Schools Foundation: Gordon Brown

Business Person of the Year – Sponsored by the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce: Karen Abel

Salmon Days Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce: Camie Callahan and Rob Gilde

Salmon Days Spawner Roll – Sponsored by the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce: Gil Drynan

Rotary Students of the Year – Sponsored by Issaquah Rotary:

Michael Migotsky – Issaquah High School

Jayden Long – Tiger Mountain Community High School

Danielle Lemmon – Liberty High School

IEA Public Education Advocate of the Year – Sponsored by Issaquah Education Association: Neva Luke

Youth Leadership Award – Sponsored by Issaquah Park Board: Amy Fan

Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Issaquah Park Board: Joy McIlvaine

Sportsperson of the Year – Sponsored by Issaquah Park Board: Sandy From

Citizen of the Year – Sponsored by the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce: Robert Ittes

Hall of Fame – Sponsored by the City of Issaquah: Leon Kos