Juneau picked up four of six awards at the Alaska Municipal League ceremony Thursday in Anchorage, including Municipal Employee of the Year. Beth McEwen, deputy city clerk, said she wasn’t expecting to win. The presenter started listing off McEwen’s achievements, and that’s when she realized.
“I’m sure my face was just as shocked as could be because I was blindsided and had absolutely no idea this was something I had even been nominated for,” she said.
McEwen works with about three dozen local boards and commissions. She’s active with the statewide municipal clerk’s association. Juneau Assembly member Jesse Kiehl called her one of the most knowledgeable people regarding the state’s liquor laws.
He presented the award to McEwen. Kiehl also serves on the league’s board.
“As a board member, you would present an award to whoever won it,” Kiehl said. “But for it to be someone you work with so closely is really an extra honor.”
The public works award went to the Juneau airport runway rehabilitation. The Juneau Police Department picked up one for their bicycle safety project. And the Zach Gordon Youth Center won in the spirit category for a kitchen remodel.
Ketchikan and Dutch Harbor were also recognized for people and projects in their communities.
McEwen says there are about 35,000 municipal employees in Alaska.
“It does take a village of public servants to be able to accomplish all the work of a government,” she said. “And I’m just honored to be one of those public servants.
This is the second year in a row someone from Juneau has won Municipal Employee of the Year.
