Kushner named citizen of the year

"The Bainbridge Kiwanis Club has named island real estate agent and civic activist Ed Kushner its Citizen of the Year for 2000.Kushner, owner-broker of the Bainbridge office of Windermere Real Estate, was honored for his broad range of involvement over many years.Ed has always been willing to donate his time, talents and money to maintain what we love and to improve what we have on Bainbridge Island, the club said in a news release announcing Kushner's selection.Most recently, Kushner was the driving force behind the effort to create the Marge Williams Memorial Office Center as a home for island non-profit agencies.Kushner has spearheaded the fund-raising campaign to pay off the mortgage and remodel the Winslow Way building, home of former councilwoman and community activist Marge Williams, who was murdered there in 1998.Kushner stepped down from the Williams Center project last month for health reasons.His other civic involvements have included major support for the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council and the Housing Resources Board. He has been a major sponsor of the biannual Seattle Symphony concerts on the island.He is the embodiment of the best in our community, said Kate Carruthers of the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council and the Marge Williams Center project.Carruthers was of several citizens who nominated Kushner for the award.He works in the community in ways that most people aren't aware of, Carruthers said. He is more committed to our community than anyone I know.The award will be presented at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 30 at Wing Point Country Club during the Kiwanis Club's installation banquet.Those wanting to attend should make reservations with Barbara Swartling, 855-8638, or Myron Allen, 842-8172, before Sept. 21. "

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