JoAn Cox, the mother of slain King County Deputy Sheriff Steve Cox, was honored as the Burien citizen community activist of the year at the city's 15th birthday celebration and awards ceremony March 28.

Mick Purdy and Adrian Kelly, owners of Mick Kelly's Irish Pub, were named Burien business leaders of the year.

Victoria Hall received the educational leader award, and Larry Moormeier was named the environmental leader.

Jim Hughes, owner of Sal's Deli, received The Robby, which is presented by Robinson Newspapers, publisher of the Times/News.

The Robby honors contributions "to the community at large through volunteerism, sponsorships and good deeds."

Following the death of her son, who was killed in the line of duty in White Center in December 2006, JoAn Cox spearheaded a petition drive to persuade the King County Council to reinstate the defunct gang unit in the sheriff's office.

Council members responded by including funding for the gang unit in the county's 2008 budget, and the gang unit - which will operate out of the sheriff's office Southwest precinct in Burien - is now getting organized.

A retired teacher, Cox taught for many years in the medical program at Puget Sound Skills Center.

Mick Purdy and Adrian Kelly - cousins who emigrated from Ireland in 1990 - opened Mick Kelly's in 2005 after deciding that Burien was the best place in the U.S. to operate a restaurant and bar.

In addition to their business, which employs 25 people and features Irish music on Saturdays, Purdy and Kelly are actively involved in contributing to charitable causes through Mick Kelly's.

Recent fundraising events include the Steve Cox Memorial Fund, the Allison Ohana event for her cancer treatment, a contribution to the Eat for the Arts campaign, a breast cancer fundraiser, and a Christmas toy drive for the Ruth Dykeman Center.

They are planning an autism fundraiser this spring.

Victoria Hall is chairwoman of the Burien Arts Commission's Arts Education Committee and has assisted in developing and implementing the ArtsStart program in several local elementary schools.

A para-professional at the Puget Sound Skills Center, Hall has worked with students on a variety of projects including the "Trash Fashion Show" at last year's Strawberry Festival and murals at the Burien Arts Gallery.

She also volunteers for Empty Bowls and as a juror on the Highline regional PTA's "Reflections" visual arts program for students.

Larry Moormeier, a member of the Burien Parks Board, was an active participant in developing the Seahurst Master Plan and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.

Moormeier is president of the Standring Lane Community and a strong supporter of salmon recovery in Salmon Creek, and has worked on beautification programs at Eagle Landing and Seahurst parks.

An avid bicycle rider, he also drives for Senior Services.

Jim Hughes, whose deli hotdog cart is a fixture at events ranging from Burien's Farmers Market to the Fourth of July parade, features outdoor summer evening jazz events at Sal's and is involved in downtown business activities and the Discover Burien Association.