American City & County Magazine Names King County Executive as 2008 County Leader of The Year
7/15/2008
NEW YORK (July 15, 2008) - Penton's American City & County magazine has selected King County, Wash. Executive Ron Sims as its 2008 "County Leader of the Year." The magazine presents the award annually to recognize outstanding leadership in county government. American City & County will honor Sims at the 2008 National Association of Counties Annual Conference and Exposition, July 11-15, 2008, in Kansas City, Mo. A profile of Sims and his award-winning contributions to King County is featured in the July issue of the magazine and is online at
www.americancityandcounty.com.
The County Leader of the Year Award recognizes Sims' successful efforts on environmental, health and transportation issues over the past year. He has headed the county's charge to plan for the future effects of climate change and to take steps now to prepare for them, including rebuilding the region's levy system.
Sims also led the community in raising $6 million in public and private funds to extend health insurance to nearly 16,000 previously uninsured children in the county. The state is now considering similar programs.
Sims has also been an advocate for public transportation options and congestion mitigation through variable tolling. As a result, the region received a federal grant last year to expand public transit and tolling in the county.
"Once again, leadership on national issues is found at the local level," said Bill Wolpin, editorial director of American City & County. "Ron Sims is no newcomer to environmental issues, and his actions will produce long term health benefits for King County's residents."
The subscribers of American City & County submit nominations for the County Leader of the Year Award. The magazine's editorial staff selects the award's recipient each year.
American City & County has been the voice of state and local government since 1909. The magazine serves a nationwide audience of city and county officials who are charged with developing and implementing local government policy, programs and projects. American City & County is published monthly by Penton. For more information about the magazine, visit www.americancityandcounty.com.
Penton Media, Inc. is the largest independent business-to-business media company in the U.S., serving more than six million business professionals every month. The company's market-leading brands are focused on 30 industries and include 113 trade magazines, 145 Web sites, 150 industry trade shows and conferences, and more than 500 information data products. Headquartered in New York City, the privately held company is owned by MidOcean Partners and U.S. Equity Partners II, an investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP, and its co-investors. For additional information on the company and its businesses, visit www.penton.com.
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