Michigan Municipal League Honors Councilwoman Barbara Ziarko with Sinclair Service Award

Former League Board of Trustees President and Sterling Heights Councilmember Barbara Ziarko received the Jim Sinclair Exceptional Service Award yesterday, September 10. She was presented with the award during the League's Board of Trustees Dinner as part of the 2024 Convention on Mackinac Island.

The Jim Sinclair Exceptional Service Award was created in memory of Rogers City Councilmember Jim Sinclair. Sinclair was a tireless worker and promoter of local government and a fervent believer in education and training for elected officials. This award was created to honor his legacy of personal dedication, passion and commitment to the League and its mission.

"Barb continues to show what it means to be a public servant in her community and beyond," said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the League. "On behalf of the League, we thank Barb for her commitment to serving Michigan's communities with this honor. I had the opportunity to work closely with her during her time as League President. She leads by example, encouraging others to continue their learning. She has participated in a variety of training programs, including the League's Elected Officials Academy and the Women's Elected Leadership Intensive."

Barbara A. Ziarko was first elected to Sterling Heights City Council in 2001 and has served the public well since then in numerous ways. She is a graduate of the civilian police and fire academies, as well as a member of the Sterling Heights Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). She is an active member of the Friends of the Sterling Heights Public Library and a volunteer for The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), the Pope Francis Center in Detroit and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She has also served as co-coordinator for the Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team at St. Blasée Catholic Community. She is also a member of Michigan Women in Municipal Government and Michigan Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials.

Ziarko has been an active member of the League since 2000, and she has served as vice chair for the Legislative and Urban Affairs Committee, as an Elected Officials Academy board member, as a member of the Public Safety and Legislative Governance Committees and as chairperson for Region I. In 2019, Ziarko was elected to the League Board of Trustees for a three-year term and then served as League President 2021-2023. She has worked tirelessly as an ambassador for the League, supporting causes that have included changes to revenue sharing, fostering pattern book home developments and developing legislation for Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT).

Ziarko strongly supports the council-manager form of government and has championed this form of government across the state, advocating for professional development and training across the organization, including boards and commissions. Ziarko is a firm believer that collaboration is a guiding light to prosperity. She led the charge for Sterling Heights to join the National League of Cities this past year to share and learn best practices from communities nationwide. She believes that cities must collaborate with not only one another but also stakeholders at all levels, including federal, state and county, not to mention leaders of public and private entities.

"Being recognized for something you love doing is an unexpected honor," said Ziarko. "Serving others brings great personal rewards as you learn and receive more than you ever give. Joining in the company of so many others who have received the Jim Sinclair Award is humbling. My plan for the future is to continue to assist wherever possible to enrich our communities."

The Jim Sinclair Exceptional Service Award was first presented in 2008. In total with Ziarko, there have been 17 people who have received this recognition. Additional information about the award can be found here and the list of previous recipients here.