Chris Rider, a friendly face at St. Paul City Hall where she has worked for more than 25 years as an aide with the police, City Council and mayor's office, is this year's winner of the city's Karl Neid Community Involvement Award for service both on and off the job.

Rider, currently the scheduler for Mayor Chris Coleman, was chosen for the award by a panel chaired by Council President Kathy Lantry and consisting of past Neid award winners and City Council staffers.

Rider "exemplifies outstanding public service while at the same time making tremendous contributions to the quality of life in our community," Lantry said.

She was told of the honor Tuesday morning by Coleman, Lantry and Joanne Tromcizak-Neid, the widow of the former City Council member for whom the award is named.

Rider once worked in the council office of Neid, an East Side community leader who died of a heart attack in 1992.

In addition to her work with the city, Rider has volunteered for several organizations.

She has served on the board of directors for Twin Cities Academy and the nonprofit Spare Key Foundation, worked for the Serving Our Troops project for more than 10 years, served as a school chaperon and Girl Scout troop leader, paddled for the Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventure program and participated in several Habitat for Humanity projects.

Rider will be recognized during the City Council meeting July 9.

Kevin Duchschere