Lacey Historical Commission names John Jajic historian of the year

The Lacey Historical Commission voted to award its 2025 Historian of the Year honor to John Jajic.

The nomination packet, presented by Parks, Culture and Recreation Director Jen Burbage, included a nomination from last year’s awardee, Paul Webb, and a supporting letter from Margie Wiley. Burbage told commissioners the packet summarized Jajic’s research and advocacy for the Lacey Historical Society since 2023, when “he, along with a number of others, banded together to save the organization from dissolution.”

The commission discussed the single nomination and then moved to a voice vote. The motion to award John Jajic passed; an abstention was recorded during the vote. Margie Wiley, who identified herself as the Lacey Historical Society president, said she would abstain because she serves on the society’s board: “I think I probably should abstain from the vote,” she said.

The commission noted the award will be presented at the May 20 City Council meeting during the council’s program honoring History Month. The commission’s action was procedural and limited to selecting the commission’s awardee; no additional funding or policy changes were made.

Members in attendance for the April meeting included Chair John Halverson and commissioners Kevin Wyckoff, Jim Keogh, Kimberly Getz and Allen Tyler. Staff participating included Jen Burbage, director of Parks, Culture and Recreation, and Carter Gibson, executive assistant. The museum curator was listed in the meeting materials as Erin Quindalcio.

The commission’s packet and the City Council agenda will list the formal award presentation and the date; the May 20 council meeting will be the public presentation of the Ken Bosley Historian of the Year award to Jajic.