Chris Pappas recognized for exceptional service

A familiar face around Post Falls City Hall for the last 27 years, City Clerk Chris Pappas is responsible for a multitude of duties – city elections, city records, and the publishing of city ordinances and resolutions.

She also assists the mayor and council members, answers a variety of questions from citizens, and is well known for her beautiful smile and upbeat attitude.

Pappas recently received the Dr. James B. Weatherby Award, which is given annually by the Idaho City Clerks Treasurers and Finance Officers Association, to an individual who has served the city clerks, treasurers and finance officers in their pursuit of excellence, effectiveness and efficiency in municipal government.

The award is named after Dr. James B. Weatherby, director of the Public Policy Center at Boise State University, and a past executive director of the Association of Idaho Cities. It also recognizes individuals who have made substantial contributions to their state, city and community.

“Chris Pappas was honored for her dedication to improving the professionalism of city clerks in Idaho,” says Ken Harward, executive director of the Association of Idaho Cities. “Chris has distinguished herself as an excellent city clerk. She is always striving to improve and sets an excellent example for others to follow. Chris serves as an excellent role model for other public servants.”

Born in 1945 in Santa Monica, Calif., Pappas moved to Post Falls in 1973. Five years later she began working as the city’s deputy city clerk. She also held the position of administrative secretary in 1990. She was hired as city clerk in 1992.

She has worked with the last six mayors, including Clay Larkin, Gus Johnson, Jim Hammond, Francis Wilhelm, Frank Henderson, and Kent Helmer.

“Her knowledge and relationships with legislators throughout the state of Idaho.” says Larkin.

Pappas’ training is extensive and her community service awards are numerous. A partial list includes the ICCTFOA state president in 1998-99, the Woman of Distinction Award given by the Women’s Forum in 1999, the Public Risk Idaho Management Association state president in 2005, and the Association of Idaho Cities President’s Award in 2005.

She was recognized by the Post Falls Chamber as an outstanding volunteer in 2005.

During her tenure, Pappas’ has made it a priority to educate people about the voting process and has encouraged them to exercise their right to vote.

“It is important to vote,” Pappas says. “I cannot understand why people do not vote when we send military personnel to other countries to start a democratic process we already have in place in this country.”

Pappas believes, that while Post Falls has grown tremendously in the last several years, that the city still has maintained a “neighborhood feeling.”

“When I arrived, Post Falls had a population of 3,000 people, and now the population is over 23,000,” Pappas says. “With all that growth Post Falls has still managed to maintain a community neighborhood feeling, where everyone looks out for each other.”

As a member of the Post Falls Community Volunteers, various chamber committees, the American Legion and Eagles Auxiliary, as well as the Post Falls Strategic Planning Task Force, Pappas’ volunteer efforts have been substantial over the years.

“Chris brings to her volunteer services the same dedication, devotion and commitment that she has brought to her professional career,” says Larkin.

“I volunteer because I like people and want to make the community a better place to live and work,” Pappas says.