Community awards show true Issaquah neighbors | Photos
Published 11:11 am Thursday, June 7, 2012
By time Greg Barton sprinted across the street, flames had filled his neighbor’s garage and were skipping across the roof’s cedar shingles.
He slid open the back door, which was hot to the touch, and black smoke poured out.
He knew his elderly neighbor was inside the Sahalee home, breathing in the toxins. He couldn’t wait for firefighters.
Holding his shirt up to his face, he crawled into the black abyss. Windows shattered and beams cracked from the heat. Smoke blocked out the light, and so he could only feel for his neighbor as he bumped around furniture.
Slipping out of the house for a breath of air, he panicked that he was too late. He took a deep breath and entered the home a second time.
This time his neighbor’s faint voice was calling for help in the kitchen. The man was barely conscious. Barton scooped him up and staggered to the backdoor.
Doctors had never seen someone with so much smoke inhalation. A few minutes later might have been too much.
Barton was honored last week by Eastside Fire and Rescue for his selfless act of bravery, for being a “true American hero.” He was named among about 20 other people in Issaquah May 31 for being the best kind of neighbor, the kind that gives back.
While Barton’s heroism earned a standing ovation, many of the awards given at the dinner came with deep gratitude.
Barbara de Michelle, who is heavily involved with the Issaquah Community Network and youth issues, was honored with two of the most notable awards. The city’s Hall of Fame award and the Golden Apple Award, presented by the Issaquah School’s Foundation.
She was credited for her work introducing the Healthy Youth Survey to the Issaquah School District, and hosting discussions around the data. She also chairs the Together Center in Redmond, which is actively working to establish a human services campus in Issaquah.
About 10 organizations gave the awards and the chamber named its new king and queen of Issaquah, Darrin Helfrecht from the Principal Financial Group and Robyn Barfoot of the Cougar Mountain Zoo.
2012 Issaquah Community Award Winners
These awards were given May 31 at an annual banquet.
Kiwanis
Denise Smith – Volunteer of the Year
Larry Schwitters – Environmental Excellence Award
John Rittenhouse – Human & Spiritual Values
Rotary
Audrey Johnson – Tiger Mountain Community High School Rotary Student of the Year
Nicole Migotsky – Issaquah High School Rotary Student of the Year
Tucker Goodman – Liberty High School Rotary Student of the Year
Issaquah Chamber of Commerce
Renee Zimmerman – Citizen of the Year
Jeff Anderson (Issaquah Trophy & Awards) – Business Person of the Year
Issaquah Schools Foundation
Barbara de Michele – Golden Apple
Eastside Fire & Rescue
Greg Barton – Lifesaver
City of Issaquah
Master Sergeant “Top” Demarco – Hall of Fame
Barbara de Michele – Hall of Fame
Issaquah Park Board
Allie Lustig – Youth Leadership
Elliot Roberts – Volunteer Sportsperson of the Year
Vicki Hoffman – Volunteer of the Year
Shirley Chung – Youth Leadership
Issaquah Festivals
Ileah Hoeke – Salmon Days Volunteer of the Year
Joe Forkner – Salmon Days Spawnor Roll
Issaquah Education Association
Bill Mokin – IEA Public Education Advocate of the Year
Life Enrichment Options & AtWork!
Michelle Bretl – Caring Community Award
Mayor Ava Frisinger – Caring Community Award
2012 – 2013 King & Queen Issaquah
Darrin Helfrecht – King of Issaquah
Robyn Barfoot – Queen of Issaquah
John Rittenhouse approaches the podium to receive an award during the annual Community Awards banquet May 31.
Skip Rowley, left, and daughter Kari Magill speak at the Issaquah Community Awards, which Rowley sponsored.
John Curley speaks at the annual Issaquah Community Awards.
