The Burien City Council has named former Highline Times editor Eric Mathison as the city’s 2014 Citizen of the Year. Mathison will be recognized at a reception along with retiring members of the city’s citizen advisory committees at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 6 in city council chambers, 400 S.W. 152nd St.

He will also serve as grand marshal of Burien’s Independence Day parade. Mathison was editor of the Highline Times for 13 years before retiring in August 2013. The council cited him for his work on the newspaper as well as his volunteer activities in the community following his retirement. Lawmakers reappointed Mathison to the Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Board on March 16, the same night he was selected as citizen of the year. He also serves as secretary of the Burien Arts Association.

Mathison has volunteered with the B-Town Dog Group, Highline Historical Society and Highline Citizens for Schools. Mathison has deep roots within the community. He grew up on five acres at 533 S. 146th St., which his dad donated to Burien as a city park.

He attended Sunnydale Elementary, Sunny Terrace Elementary and Sylvester Junior High and graduated from Highline High in 1965. He also attended Highline College in Des Moines before earning bachelor degrees in Communications (Journalism) and Political Science at Washington State University.

He is the sole recipient of this year’s Citizen of the Year award. Reacting to the selection on his Facebook page, Mathison wrote, “Thanks to the nominating person (Chestine Edgar), thanks to the City Council, thanks to my fellow volunteers and especially the leaders who work so hard, thanks to Margery Ellsworth (my wife) for being who she is, thanks to my mom who taught me the value of volunteering and thanks to my dad for teaching me to strive for quiet competence while going about my life. My mom was named 1969 Woman of the Year by the Burien Chamber of Commerce. I think she would be proud tonight.”