Des Moines resident Jean Moyer was awarded on Dec. 9 the third Spirit of Des Moines Lifetime Achievement award for her activism and work to keep up the quality of life in Des Moines.

In the 1970s and 1980s Moyer fought against poorly constructed housing in Des Moines, much of it in the downtown area.

She also served as a water commissioner for the Highline Water District.

Moyer was a founding member of the Regional Commission on Airport Affairs (RCAA). The RCAA is a citizen's group that continues to fight to protect the communities around the airport from the effects of airport expansion.

"She quickly and correctly assessed what the impacts of operating and construction of a third runway were going to mean to the community," Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Kaplan said during a speech announcing her award. "She helped lead the fight in that regard."

Moyer was also the president of the Citizens Against SeaTac Expansion, (CASE) as well as working on legislation that protects the elderly in nursing homes.

"For all of these efforts to make sure the quality of life remains what is has been and will continue to remain something we all can be proud of I would like to present this award to Jean Moyer," Kaplan said.

Mayor Bob Sheckler was not present at the meeting as he is on vacation with his family in Hawaii. But a conference call was set up at the meeting and Sheckler was able tell Moyer how much he and the city appreciate her efforts.

The other two lifetime achievement winners were Earline Byers and Brian Snure. They received their awards at an earlier council meeting.