SNOHOMISH — Long-time Snohomish resident Merle Kirkley was appreciated for his services by the city council at its Oct. 6 meeting. To Kirkley’s surprise, he was also awarded a Key to the City by Mayor John Kartak.
“Tonight we want to thank Merle Kirkley for his decades of service to the city of Snohomish and to the Snohomish community, (...) on behalf of all of us, I want to give you this plaque in appreciation for all you have done in service to the city, the school district, the larger Snohomish community and beyond,” Kartak said.
The 2020 Merle Kirkley Merit Scholarship was also created from the International Association for Learning Environments.
The $3,000 scholarship is a competitive, merit-based program designed to provide financial support for Washington State high school students planning to pursue an education beyond high school.
Kirkley stated when he moved to Snohomish nearly 50 years ago with his wife Joanne, it was with the intent of staying only three or four years, but he is still here. Joanne Kirkley passed away in July, at the age of 77, but Kirkley expressed just how much this city has always meant to his family.
“Joanne loved this city. She loved it with all her heart,” Kirkley said.
Kikrley gave an example of the character of Snohomish, sharing how last year Joanne got lost downtown. After calling the police and talking to those downtown, Joanne was found after about 20 minutes.
“We had everybody, I cannot tell you the number of people within 20 minutes — there were 250, 500 people out looking for Joanne,” Kirkley said. “I can give you hundreds of examples of the people that are in this city.”
“We’re not without problems. Nobody is without problems. But I will tell you, you folks and everybody that serves this city, you do it with your heart, you do it the best way that you can to keep what’s best for this city. And I’m so proud of this city for all that we’ve done through all the years. And I, I’m honored and I’m humbled,” Kirkley said. “So I just want to say thank you, again, Mayor Kartak, City Council, everyone involved to honor me with this award. This means more to me than you might know. I just, I’m humbled by it. Thank you so very much.”
Before Kirkley left the socially distanced ceremony at City Hall, Mayor Kartak had a surprise.
“There’s one more thing I’m going to present to you,” Kartak said. “And that’s a key to the city.”
Kirkley was stunned.
“Oh, thank you, Mayor,” Kirkley said. “Thank you all very, very much.”
At the city, Kirkley served on the civil service commission from 1986 to 2011, and the public safety commission from 2012 to 2020.
Kirkley has been on the Northwest Educational Service District Board of Directors since 2004 and is a prior member of the Snohomish School Board. He has been a longtime member of the Snohomish Lions Club, where he has served as the president four times and is currently the president of the board of directors at the Snohomish Senior Center.
