2016 Roger Lake Award for Excellence - Bob Johnson

Bob Johnson, Board of Managers member, receives his award from Tina Carstens, District Administrator

Our
Our Roger Lake Award for Excellence is an award that we give to an individual that exemplifies the dedication of our long-time Board of Managers President, Roger Lake. We view this award as a confirmation of a high-level of dedication and commitment to the RWMWD.

This year’s award recipient is Bob Johnson. Bob was appointed to the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District Board on November 5, 1986 - thirty years ago. It is fitting, therefore, that we acknowledge this long-term commitment to the District on his 30th anniversary with a prestigious award.

 

Bob (second from right) accepting an award in 1999 along
with the other RWMWD Board of Managers at the time

Bob served as a Board Manager from the Highwood neighborhood of St. Paul. He provided a very important representation of this area in the wake of the recent construction of the Battle Creek Flood Control Project and the concerns over neighborhood flooding and bluff land erosion. 





Shortly after his appointment, there was a significant effort expended on the study of the Fish Creek Watershed that led to a major project to stabilize the creek and its steep banks. Bob also continued to advocate for the improvement of the Lower Afton Road sub-watershed and a headwaters pond that we came to lovingly refer to as "Johnson Pond". It took a number of years for this project to rise to the top of our Capital Improvements Program, but Bob maintained a justified concern for its completion.

 

Bob presented retiring RWMWD Administrator, Cliff Aichinger,
with a hand-crafted "To-It Plaque" at Cliff's retirement party.

Bob served as a valuable liaison to the St. Paul District 1 Council, first as a Council Board member and later as a knowledgeable local resident with good contacts in the community. Bob has been instrumental in maintaining a good relationship with our St. Paul and Ramsey County elected representatives.

 Board members in 2012, from left to right: Paul Ellefson (retired), Jack Frost
(retired), Bob Johnson and Pam Skinner - Not pictured, Roger Lake

He continued on the Board as a strong advocate for comprehensive watershed management planning and worked closely in the development and reviews of the District's 1987, 1997, 2007 and the current draft 2017 District Plan. Bob has always served as a thorough reviewer of staff prepared materials and has kept staff and engineers always thinking about potential new approaches to addressing our water quality and quantity problems.


Bob has been an unwavering supporter of a professional District staff and our own Watershed District office and for this we are extremely grateful.

 

Board of Managers meet with staff and stakeholders at monthly meetings

We thank Bob for his past, current and future support and his dedication and commitment to the Board of Managers. We think Roger Lake would be extremely pleased that we are recognizing Bob with this award.

 

Current board members from left to right: Cliff Aichinger, Pam Skinner,
Jen Oknich, Marj Ebensteiner and Bob Johnson

 

Retired Board of Managers member, Paul Ellefson, (left),
with Bob Johnson, (right) at the 2016 Recognition Dinner