Citizen of the year to be named at dinnerCitizen of the year to be named at dinnerJanuary 23, 2004
And the nominees are...
The Oakley Chamber has announced the nominees for the 2003 Oakley Citizen of the Year and Volunteer of the Year awards. For 15 years the Oakley Chamber has hosted its citizen awards dinner. Unlike other chambers in the area, Oakley keeps its choice a secret up until the night of the dinner. This year's dinner is set for Feb. 14. Alice Posin, chair of the dinner, says that during the next few weeks is when everyone should be congratulating the nominees and treating them like they have already won.
Because really they have. The nominees are chosen by their friends, neighbors and fellow volunteers as the best and the brightest of 2003. There are so many people who give freely of their time and energy for the benefit of others. More than are ever awarded the honor of even being nominated. So here is the chance to let them shine and hear about their best accomplishments for the year.
Citizen of the Year nominees are Annette "Annie" Navarez, Dr. Mike Painter, Wendy Robertson and Kevin Romick.
Most people will probably recognize Navarez not for the work she does in the community, which isn't to say she doesn't do a lot, but she is also a checker at Raley's here in Oakley. When she is not working she is the a member of the Oakley School PTA and a driving force for the group. She is also a member of the Almond Festival committee and participated the last few years as the food booth coordinator. While volunteering earlier this year she fell and injured her leg and had to stay off her feet for several months, which kept her out of work. That is dedication to a cause.
The second candidate, "Dr. Mike" Painter, as most people refer to him, is a chiropractor here in town, but he is also a member of the Ironhouse Sanitary District board of directors. He is very active in the community and has been his entire life, being raised here in Oakley. He is a member of the Oakley-Delta Lions Club and the Oakley Almond Festival committee and president of the Delta Science Center.
Robertson is the president of the Oakley-Delta Lions Club and has been active with the organization's many fund-raising activities to help the group give scholarships and donations to the blind. She is also Zone Chair for the group, which covers Oakley, Bethel Island, Discovery Bay and Brentwood.
Romick is a name many will be hearing a lot of in the next few months. He is running for a seat on the City Council. He is also a member of the Oakley-Delta Lions, sits on the Oakley Planning Commission and was instrumental in getting together a group of people called the Oakley Orphans. The group worked to give children who lived in Oakley the chance to move into the Oakley school district rather than the Antioch district.
Nominees for Volunteer of the Year are Clarence Dale Ackley, who is a pastor and senior chaplin for the Oakley police and fire departments; Bill and Denise Arnold, who volunteer through the Oakley-Delta Lions Club, helping with youth sports and care packages during the holidays; Al and Tessie Dunsmore, who as a couple volunteer for the Live Oakley Community Church in their Loaves and Fishes program; Mary MacDonnell, who works as a volunteer for the Laurel School PTA and so many other groups their children are involved in; and Rudy and Teresa Sidrian who are the athletic directors for St. Anthony's CYO.
Tickets for the Citizen of the Year Banquet and Casino are $40 per person and can be obtained by calling the ticket hotline at 625-9710 or the Chamber Office at 625-1035.
Roni Gehlke's column on life in Oakley appears each week in the Brentwood News.
Distributed by the Contra Costa Times