Bulletin staff report

REDMOND In a city of volunteers, he is often the first to raise his hand. At a time when Old Glory flies proudly, he is the ultimate flag-waver and has been for years.

So it’s not too surprising that community activist Randy Povey was named Redmond’s first citizen Friday.

Povey, who’s poured thousands of hours into everything from building a youth skate park to helping cancer victims, received the honor at the Redmond Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet at Eagle Crest.

”A real Redmondite with deep lifelong roots in this community, he has seen and helped our town grow for many years,” said Ardyce Swift, last year’s first citizen. ”He is a man we are proud to know.”

Povey is the driving force behind Redmond’s status as Flag City USA. As the founder of the Flag Committee, he helped to raise money to buy hundreds of flags, and organizes civic groups to raise them on downtown streets during patriotic holidays. Within hours of the Sept. 11 tragedy, those flags were flying thanks to Povey’s efforts, Swift noted.

Povey’s community involvement stretches back more than 30 years. A professional surveyor, he served on the city council for three terms, as well as the city’s planning commission. Among other things, he’s been a volunteer firefighter, on the board of the Central Oregon Community Action Agency Network and a founding member of the Central Oregon Air Show.

He helped organize volunteer efforts to build the Umatilla Sports Complex, the David M. Jaqua Sports Complex, the new parking lot at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds and the Redmond Skatepark. He has raised money to help people with medical needs and was instrumental in starting the Central Oregon Bone Marrow Foundation.

He was named Central Oregon Volunteer of the Year in 2000.