On Tuesday, October 11th at Solace Restaurant, the Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association (DEMA) held their Installation Dinner and awarded Doug Long two awards: Volunteer of the Decade and the Ida Lou Coley Award. Both awards are prestigious but the Ida Lou Coley award is a one of a kind, honoring select Encinitas residents who dedicate themselves to making Encinitas a better place. This award has only been given twice before to Crystal Wells in 2007 and Bart Smith in 2005.
Doug Long has dedicated himself fully to bettering Encinitas by serving on countless committees and boards, always being willing to help at every event and giving passion to new projects. Long has served on the DEMA board since 2002 and was the DEMA Board President from 2007-2009. He has also served with other organizations’ committees such as Encinitas Preservation Association, Encinitas Sister City Committee, Encinitas Holiday Parade Committee, City of Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission, Encinitas Heritage Museum, and Encinitas Community Garden Committee.
Ida Lou Coley dedicated her life to making downtown Encinitas a better place. That includes her love of history, downtown, Cottonwood Creek, the library and all things Encinitas. This award named for her, is presented to a person who most reflects that lifelong passion exemplified by Ida Lou Coley.
