Man an woman pose in front of a dais. The woman is wearing a city of Southgate Kentucky shirt.
Southgate Independent School District Superintendent Greg Duty surprised city council member Aileen Okura with a PRIDE award for her work in the community. Council members Mark Messmer and Jackson Curry look on. Photo by Robin Gee | LINK nky contributor

After speaking at the city council meeting on the importance of kindergarten readiness, Southgate Independent School Superintendent Greg Duty announced he wanted to also take the opportunity to thank and honor a city council member with a special PRIDE award.

He explained the acronym PRIDE stands for Personal Responsibility In Delivering Excellence.

“I’m proud of what we’re doing, and I’m also proud of this person,” said Duty. “So, I have a special award. We only give these out to people that are really making a difference.”

The award was presented to Council Member Aileen Okura, who heads the city’s Park and Tree Board and is well-known for her efforts to organize and promote a variety of city events, many of which are geared toward children in the community.

“This individual, whether it’s coming up and reading to our kids, helping with the pumpkin walk at the community center, working with our art teacher to paint the benches by the community center — all those things that she doesn’t have to do, but she does, because she wants to add value for others. So at this time, we’d like to present the PRIDE award to council member Aileen Okura,” said Duty.

Mayor Jim Hamberg (l) and council member Aileen Okura (r) present a September Green Thumb award to Sidney and Kevin Prigge of 375 Linden Avenue. The Green Thumb award is one of the programs led by Okura and the Park and Tree Board. (September’s other Green Thumb went to residents at 216 Electric Avenue) Photo by Robin Gee | LINK nky contributor