Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder had no idea he would be flying to New York this month. But, thanks to a nomination by Metro employees, Burkholder will travel this weekend to Saratoga Springs, N.Y., to accept an award from the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations.
Burkholder's award, for Outstanding Elected Official Leadership, recognizes an "elected official who has advanced or promoted the cause of planning in the public arena," according to AMPO's website. He will receive the award at the organization's Annual Conference.
Burkholder said he was initially surprised by the nomination.
"It's an absolute honor to be recognized for this," he said. "I helped bring issues like climate change and equity to the table, topics that address the changing agenda for MPOs. It's really just part of our job here at Metro."
Burkholder was nominated by Metro staffers Kim Ellis and Tom Kloster. Andy Cotugno, a Metro senior policy advisor and 2001 AMPO award recipient, also endorsed Burkholder's nomination in a letter to AMPO.
"Councilor Burkholder has always pursued high ideals, seeking a better place while carefully coaxing those with varied interest to collaborate toward a common goal," wrote Cotugno, calling him a "perfect fit for the intent of this award."