By Liz Steen

Alki Community Council celebrated three lifetime achievement awards with trophies and chocolate cake on Thursday night.

Each honoree spoke on the importance of community and Alki. It was a convivial night celebrating the councils achievements with people who’ve worked together for decades to improve safety for people, animals, and the natural environment in one of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods.

Tony Fragada, Current Board Trustee, Past President and Board Officer told the crowd about learning how important it is to protect the land, animals, and the environment when he was living and working in Alaska.

He was credited with providing “Time, positive energy, manual labor, and his ideas for making Alki a better place,” according to President Charlotte Starck. His efforts included initiating the Alki Art Fair and serving as president. He said, “I appreciate the energy and being part of other people’s lives it’s nice to be part of the community.”

He went on to talk about how important the natural world is to him and to future generations. “I don’t want to preach or anything. We just really need to learn that responsibility.”

William Winter, past board officer began volunteering in 1988. He raised funds for the Alki Bathhouse and helped start the Alki Art Fair as well as working with engineers on trails and parks. He helped design Whale Tail Park, acquire green space, and, as a former roller blader, making areas where people can enjoy flat trails for “small wheels.”

Winter said, "I’ve had a good time and I’ve really enjoyed being aware of what’s happening in my community and trying to have at least a part in making it the way I would want it to be, and hopefully everyone else partakes as well,” encouraging others to get involved.

About Kathy Olson - Current Member, Advisor, Past Treasurer/Advisor Starck said “The Alki Community Council would not have made it through some of its toughest years without her,” before showing the crowd “the book” of procedures and information that Olson had compiled over “more than a decade of dedicated volunteer leadership and service” to the 501 3C, including serving as the on-site manager and regularly baking cookies for the other volunteers.

Liesa Rose, a past president helped change the SEA flight path to bypass Alki and make the neighbors more comfortable and led the organization through zoning and other safety improvements for the neighborhood.

Charlotte Starck added, "My hope is that Alki neighbors will see what neighborhood voices have helped to build over the years and realize that our voices matter. That the feedback is often correct and reasonable for the highest and best use of the land so that people can harness the wellness power of nature, not destroy it."