The Washington State Elks Association recently awarded Bremerton resident and mayoral candidate Todd Best as the Citizen of the Year Award for the West District 2012-2013 and Citizen of the Year for the State of Washington 2012-2013.

Best had earlier won a similar award in Bremerton that was presented by the Bremerton Elks Lodge 1181.

In presenting the awards, the Elks noted Best’s active role in the community, in particular his spearheading of the all-volunteer effort to clean up and restore the Ivy Green Cemetery and redesign and dedicate the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He has also regularly assisted and participated in the clean up and maintenance of Veteran Memorials, such as the World War II Guns at Hal’s Corner.

Other work cited, included Best’s efforts to help raise $100,000 for the Kitsap 9-11 Memorial Fund, the cleanup of Forest Ridge Park with more than 75 volunteers.

The Elks noted that Best was instrumental in placing a moratorium on a methadone clinic being placed in a business district of Bremerton and helped to save 26 city jobs from being eliminated during the 2012 budget process.

In addition, the Elks noted that Best has assisted several small businesses through the permit process and has helped them to get their businesses started. He also regularly works with the Bremerton Police Department, organized a Bremerton Police Department Family Appreciation Day and has provided materials for graffiti cleanup throughout the city. He also successfully petitioned First Citizen Bank to clean up 602 Washington Ave., where a demolished building was leaching toxins into Puget Sound.

Best is a Gulf War veteran, former New York City firefighter and a commercial and residential property owner.