On Sunday, Dec. 4 at the Prairie Village Community Center from 4 - 6 p.m., we celebrated this year's recipients of the Making Democracy Work Award, Lynn Binnie and Patrick Singer.

The League’s annual Making Democracy Work Award, established in 2010, recognizes individuals who have shared and implemented a vision of making Whitewater a safer and fairer place in which to live and highlights those who have mobilized others to work with them to affect positive change in our community. These values exemplify the spirit and the mission of the League. Nominations are submitted from the League's membership to the board, which through consensus makes the final selection. Honorees Lynn Binnie and Patrick Singer are influential and integral parts of the Whitewater community, history, and government, both serving as members and eventual presidents of the Common Council.

During his time on the Council, Patrick Singer, who held the Common Council presidency for an impressive twelve years, was an effective leader and visionary, furthering a number of initiatives, including the passage of the Transparency Ordinance, and the establishment of the Finance Committee and Public Works Committee. Lynn Binnie also accomplished many impactful feats during his time on the council. He contributed to numerous Municipal Boards including the Equal Opportunities Committee and the Library Board. Additionally, Binnie promotes the blood drives at the Armory and serves as the Lay Leader at First United Methodist Church.

A recording of the event can be found on the City of Whitewater's Vimeo account. 

Pictured left: Lynn Binnie. Pictured right: Patrick Singer.