Mayor John Turner honored with Leadership Award

Award presented at Oregon Mayor’s Association Conference

The Oregon Mayor’s Association (OMA) has recognized Pendleton Mayor John Turner with the Mayors Leadership Award for 2024.

“I was surprised and very pleased to be recognized,” Turner said. “I realize it was spearheaded by the staff of Pendleton, which makes it even more important to me.”

According to OMA, The Mayors Leadership Award recognizes the invaluable contributions made by Oregon mayors in their communities. Mayors who receive these awards meet the following criteria: showing considerable involvement in community affairs and intergovernmental relations; demonstrating exceptional skill in helping to facilitate productive relationships between their city council and city employees; and helping other Oregon mayors reach their full potential as community leaders.

Turner was nominated for the award by multiple individuals, including Sen. Bill Hansell, Rep. Bobby Levy, Hermiston Mayor and League of Oregon Cities President Dave Drotzmann, Pilot Rock Mayor Randy Gawith, Umatilla County Commissioners Dan Dorran and Cindy Timmons, Intermountain ESD Superintendent Mark Mulvihill, Blue Mountain Community College President Mark Browning, Pendleton City Council member Kevin Martin, Pendleton Development Commission Associate Director Charles Denight, and other Pendleton community members. Nomination letters touted Turner’s work to revitalize downtown Pendleton, increase housing and serve the community. 

“As I look back on the 8 years I have worked with Mayor Turner, it is hard for me to imagine how someone might have accomplished more than he has,” Pendleton City Manager Robb Corbett wrote in his endorsement. “John doesn’t wait, he moves, and we are a far better community because of his leadership.”

First elected as Mayor of Pendleton in 2016, Turner did not file for re-election this year. 

Turner was recognized in the Large City category. OMA also recognized Michael Myers, the mayor of Jefferson, in the Small City category, and Susan Wahlke, the mayor of Lincoln City, in the Medium City category. The presentations took place at the closing banquet of the Oregon Mayors Association Summer Conference, July 18-20 in Klamath Falls.

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- July 26, 2024