The Awards Committee of the California Area Chamber of Commerce is soliciting nominations for the 2011 Citizen of the Year and the 2011 Business of the Year. Following selection these individuals will be recognized at the chamber's annual dinner on Jan. 28, 2012, and will be included in chamber-sponsored activities and parades along with having their names engraved on plaques located at City Hall.
The Citizen of the Year award program began in 1970 with Melvin Peterman and Rachel Bolin sharing the honor. The chamber did not give an award in 1980 and their recipient for 1982, if there was one, is unknown. If anyone has information concerning 1982, please contact Diane at the chamber office. The Business of the Year award is relatively recent having its beginning in 2003. If an individual or business is not chosen the year they are nominated, their names are retained for consideration for an additional two years, giving them three years to be eligible for winning these awards.
More information is available on the nomination forms and they can be obtained in the chamber office. The deadline is Dec. 31 but since this date falls on Saturday, completed forms should be returned to the chamber office no later than Friday, Dec. 30. Forms received after this date will be held over and considered for next year. Chamber office hours are 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.