On August 4, 2011, the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities held its annual Legislative Awards Dinner.  At the dinner, it gave awards to legislators, city officials and rural chambers of commerce for their work on behalf of greater Minnesota.  Here’s a complete list of the awards and recipients:

Legislator of Distinction Award, Environment Policy

Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen

Sen. John Pederson

Rep. King Banaian

Rep. Paul Torkelson

Rep. Dean Urdahl

Legislator of Distinction Award, Economic Development Policy

Rep. Jennifer Loon

Legislator of Distinction Award, Transportation Policy

Sen. Kathy Sheran

Legislator of Distinction Award, Tax Policy

Rep. Rod Hamilton

Rep. Paul Marquart

Rural Leadership Award

Rep. Loren Solberg

Rep. Bernie Lieder

Friend of the CGMC Award

Mayor R.T. Rybak

Mayor Chris Coleman

Gov. Mark Dayton

Randy Kehr, Executive Director of the Albert Lea Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce and the following Chambers of Commerce:

Albert Lea Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce

Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce

Crookston Chamber of Commerce

Duluth Chamber of Commerce

East Grand Forks/Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce

Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo Chamber of Commerce

Glencoe Area Chamber of Commerce

International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Laurentian Chamber of Commerce

Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce

Moorhead Business Association

Morris Area Chamber of Commerce

New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce

Wadena Area Chamber of Commerce

Worthington Chamber of Commerce

Jack Murray Award

Joel Albrecht (Former Mayor of New Ulm)

Gary Zellmer (Former Mayor of North Mankato)

Les Heitke (Former Mayor of Willmar)

Bob Filson Award for Distinguished Rural Leadership

Michael Schmit (Former Willmar City Administrator)

Excellence in Service Award (Non-Elected Official)

Rick Almich, City Administrator Le Sueur

Shauna Johnson, City Administrator Waite Parke

Excellence in Service Award (Elected Official)

Bob Broeder, City Council, Le Sueur

Heidi Omerza, City Council, Ely

Dave Smiglewski, Mayor, Granite Falls

Dick Grassel, City Council, East Grand Forks

President’s Award

Nancy Carroll, Mayor, Park Rapids