Eugene mayor honors community leaders at State of the City

At the State of the City event on Monday, Jan. 13, Mayor Kaarin Knudson presented Community Service Awards to three Eugene residents whose work connects public health, the local economy and cultural media.

The honorees were Deleesa Meashintubby, executive director of Volunteers in Medicine; Rusty Rexius, co-owner of Rexius; and Armando Morales, host of KLCC’s ¡Ahora Sí! on Sunday nights. Morales co-founded ¡Ahora Sí! in 1983, and as of this year has helped keep the bilingual program—Spanish and English featuring music, cultural programming and interviews—on the air for 43 years.

The presentation at the State of the City signals municipal attention to three pillars of community resilience. Recognition of a nonprofit leader underscores the city’s interest in sustained civic and health-related volunteer efforts. Honoring a local business owner highlights the role that established companies play in Lane County’s economy and civic life. Saluting a long-running bilingual broadcaster draws attention to cultural inclusion and information access for Spanish-speaking residents across the Eugene area.

For listeners, Morales’ show is more than radio programming; its longevity fosters cultural continuity and a weekly gathering place for Latinx and bilingual audiences. That steady presence on KLCC contributes to community cohesion in a county where language access can shape civic participation and cultural preservation. Similarly, leadership at a nonprofit medical organization and the business community’s civic engagement both feed into public health, employment and neighborhood stability—areas that shape everyday life for Lane County households.

From a policy standpoint, the awards reflect a city agenda that links public health, economic vitality and cultural outreach. Municipal recognition can also open doors for partnerships and funding by signaling priorities to grantmakers, foundations and regional collaborators. For local leaders and residents, the event is a reminder that civic contributions take many forms: running a business, sustaining a nonprofit, and creating platforms that amplify diverse voices.

Our two cents? Support the institutions that knit Eugene together: tune in to local programming, consider volunteering or donating to community health efforts, and buy local when you can. Small acts help sustain the services and relationships these awards were meant to celebrate.