George and Susan Pearson have been selected as Covington’s “Citizens of the Year” while Richard and Ina Balash have been selected as “Honor Citizens of the Year.”

The awards were given at the June 28 City Council meeting.

George and Susan Pearson were nominated based on their 672 combined hours of volunteering to reopen Jenkin’s Creek Park. Susan Pearson said she and her husband, who have lived in Covington since 1986, use the park and noticed the presence of invasive species taking over the park.

“We had an opportunity to make a difference and we took it,” said Susan Pearson.

Richard and Ina Balash were nominated due to 16 years of volunteering and Richard’s service on the Covington Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Covington Library and Covington Water District.

The Pearson’s and Balash’s will be honored at Covington Days Festival on July 16.