FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Councilwoman Is Named Top Citizen

Councilwoman Laurann Cook has one more award to add to a growing list of honors for community service--Citizen of the Year.

“I thought I was already on top, but being chosen Citizen of the Year--I don’t know of any better honor,” Cook said after receiving the honor last week.

City officials and business representatives were on hand as the title was awarded by the Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon for the nine nominees. “It was a wonderful surprise,” Cook said.

A homemaker and mother of two daughters, Cook has dedicated the last 18 years to community service. Most recently, she has been active as chairwoman of the No to Drugs in Schools, a nonprofit group which she co-founded more than two years ago.

Most commonly known as NODS, the organization is a tri-city alliance of volunteers in Fountain Valley, Westminster and Huntington Beach who raise money for anti-drug programs in schools.

Cook has also organized Red Ribbon Week events, including the first Walk Against Drugs between Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach.

Other activities have included leadership roles in committees for the disabled, city history, fund raising for elementary and high schools, Little League baseball and the Boys & Girls Club of Huntington Valley.

Cook has served as a parent volunteer and leader in the Ocean View School District, promoting art appreciation programs among other curriculum improvements. She developed the Child Awareness Program for the Fountain Valley and Garden Grove school districts. The program advises students in kindergarten through eighth grade and their parents about handling potentially abusive situations.

She also improved the Neighborhood Watch Program, initiated a baby-sitting clinic, and obtained a grant to pay for a Disaster Preparedness program.

Cook has won numerous city and county awards, among them Woman of the Year in 1983 by the Fountain Valley Neighborhood Watch and the city’s Women in History award in 1988. She is currently in the first year of her second council term and served as mayor from 1989 to 1990.

“We are very excited that she will represent the city as Citizen of the Year,” said Chamber of Commerce Vice President Jake Mutchler. “It’s been long coming. She’s an exceptional person who works very hard in this city.”