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Former Executive Director Jack DeBolske Honored at Arizona Transportation Legacy Awards
Former League Executive Director and MAG Secretary John "Jack" DeBolske was honored as one of ten outstanding individuals to receive the first-ever Arizona
Transportation Legacy Awards at a special ceremony in Tucson. In celebration of the 60th Arizona Conference on Roads and Streets, the first "Legacy Awards" were
presented to recognize "one or more outstanding individuals who have made a significant contribution to transportation in the state of Arizona."
Nominees can represent government, private practice, construction, education or industry, but "must be a person whose contribution is noteworthy," according to
the Legacy Award Committee. Forty-two nominations were received.
Mr. DeBolske served as executive director of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns from 1957 to 1997. He was a staunch advocate for local government and was a
prime mover in ensuring all of the cities and towns in Arizona are professionally managed through the council/manager form of government. He was instrumental in
protecting cities and towns from raids on revenue sources, and assisted with legislation transforming the Arizona Highway Commission to the present Arizona
Department of Transportation (ADOT). In 1967, Mr. DeBolske helped create the Councils of Governments in Arizona and also formed the Maricopa Association of
Governments (MAG), which he led from 1967 to 1996. In 1985, he worked with the business community, ADOT, State Legislature and Governor to enable MAG to bring
Proposition 300 to the voters in Maricopa County. The half-cent sales tax for transportation was one of the first of its kind in the nation and is largely
responsible for funding the regional freeway system.
Other Legacy Award recipients, all of whom are now retired, included James Attebery, city engineer for the city of Phoenix; Katie Dusenberry, member of the Pinal
County Board of Supervisors and Arizona Transportation Board; Ed Hall, transportation director for the city of Phoenix; Dr. Rudolf Jimenez, professor emeritus of
the University of Arizona; Oscar Lyon, Jr., state engineer for ADOT; Jim McDonald, former executive director for the Arizona Chapter of Associated General
Contractors; William Ordway, former ADOT director; John Ritoch, civil engineering consultant for Ritoch-Powell and Associates; and Robert Vaughan, former director
of the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization.
*Reprinted with permission from the Maricopa Association of Government's quarterly newsletter, MAGAZine. |
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League of Arizona Cities and Towns
1820 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-258-5786
Fax: 602-253-3874
http://www.azleague.org
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