Chamber hands out awards
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Carol Hamblen was chosen the Chamber?s Citizen of the Year, Greg Brock received the Free Enterprise Award, and McMinnville Mayor Royce Davenport was named Chamber Citizen Volunteer of the Year.
Last year?s Citizen of the Year, Peggy Bratcher, was unable to attend, so another former winner, Bill Zechman, presented this award to Hamblen.
Zechman talked about Hamblen?s service to the community, both in the political arena and as a volunteer. Zechman made note of the fact Hamblen was the first female president of the Chamber, as well as the first female county executive.
Hamblen?s involvement with a number of local organizations, including being a member of Junior Auxiliary, treasurer of the Rotary Club of McMinnville, and work at her church, Christ United Methodist, were also mentioned.
?This is a lady who has worked diligently to make her community a better place to live,? Zechman said.
Zechman said Hamblen puts family first, with husband Russ and daughters Megan and Leann being the most important things in her life, but added she also has a place in her heart for the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning, along with her work at Boyd Christian School, where both of her daughters graduated.
?I?m just very honored to be included in the list when you look at the people who have received this honor before,? Hamblen said. ?I love Warren County. Everything I?ve done over the years has just been to help and improve the county and community where I live. Warren County has been good to the Lee family and the Hamblen family, and we?re just trying to give back. I really appreciate the Chamber and thank them for the recognition.?
Rodney Boyd presented the Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award to Mayor Davenport, lauding him for his volunteerism, which Boyd says goes well beyond his service as McMinnville?s top elected official.
?While this person is a paid public official, he goes above and beyond what is required of his public office,? Boyd said. ?McMinnville is always on his mind. He is always thinking of ways to improve his home town and he rarely, if ever, gets the thanks he deserves.
?He was instrumental in the formation of the Public Safety Unit here in McMinnville,? Boyd continued. ?He set up the committee to preserve artifacts found during the renovation of Main Street. He paints lines and directs traffic during the Warren County Fair. He is actively involved in his church where he services as the chairman of budget and finance and is a choir member. He is certified in CPR and first aid with the American Red Cross and is trained in disaster relief assistance.?
Davenport says his parents were key in teaching him the importance of volunteerism, and he has tried to emulate them and follow their example.
?It is very important,? he said. ?It gives a community a unique quality. It?s absolutely essential to have volunteers. They are the ones who work to make the community a better place to live.?
?So I?m honored to receive this award,? Davenport said. ?I appreciate the recognition from my community.?
Greg Brock, of Apex Construction, received the 2007 Free Enterprise Award, but since he was out of town, last year?s winner, Doug Milner, presented the award to Greg?s wife, Jill, in his absence.
?The criteria for the Free Enterprise Award is an individual who is first and most importantly a successful business person. Secondly, the individual must contribute to the community, and third, be of high character,? Milner said. ?Our award winner this year definitely fills all these requirements.?
The recorded proceedings of the Chamber of Commerce annual membership meeting and awards program will air this Thursday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m., and again Saturday at 10 a.m., on WCPI public radio, 91.3 FM.