Nominees noted for service to community

Each January, the Chronicle’s Editorial Board asks readers to nominate people in the community for the paper’s Citizen of the Year Award.

As always, Citrus County residents responded with a list of dedicated people who they think make our community a better place to live. Choosing one person is always a difficult task.

Some who were nominated this year had been past winners (Barbara Mills, Chet Cole, the late Leroy Bellamy) and, therefore, are not eligible to win again.

In addition to our Citizen of the Year, Paul Mellini, others nominated included:

Nancy Ostrowski was noted for her work with the outreach program sponsored by the Hunger and Homeless Coalition of Citrus County, getting medical and dental services to those in need.

Arlyn Sukut, retired military, retired teacher, member of First Baptist Church in Inverness and active with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was named because of his willingness to give people in need whatever help he can, from rides to the doctor to food for the hungry.

The Rev. Doug Alexander, pastor of The New Church Without Walls, was nominated by his daughter, Tiarra. She wrote: “My father is a disabled veteran but that doesn’t stop him from being the community pastor. He helps the homeless, needy and hungry. Everyone he comes in contact with, he blesses.”

Rob Phillips, owner of Eagle Buick in Homosassa, was recognized for his benevolence and participation in local fundraising events.

Dave Hutchins, owner of Bay Area Air Conditioning and Heating, was also named because of his support of local charities and civic groups and his behind-the-scenes help to those in need.

Bonnie Merrill, who works for the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, was said to be a “special, kind, gentle person.”

Dr. Teresa Goodman, Citrus County Health Department administrator, was noted for “doing wonderful things to make our health department function for all citizens.”

Art Yerian, park manager at Ellie Schiller Wildlife State Park, was nominated because of “his dedication to making the wildlife park in Homosassa the best Florida park there is.”

Clay Osborne, auto mechanic at Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, was nominated by Robin Drummond who said: “He is the most honest mechanic I have ever had. He is a hard worker. He will not charge you until it is right. You have to trust your mechanic ... he told me, ‘I live here, too.’”

Renna Jablonskis was named because of her work with Partners for A Substance-Free Citrus.

Brenda Gates, coordinator at the West Citrus Community Center, was nominated by Jim Potts who said: “I have found her to be a truly tireless worker who makes everything at the center run smoothly. … She is always smiling, friendly and goes out of her way to make everyone feel like the center is their home.”

PAST RECIPIENTS
Citrus County Chronicle’s Citizen of the Year recipients since 2000:
2000 Ron and Beverly Drinkhouse
2001 The Rev. Leroy Bellamy
2002 Don Sutton
2003 Pete DeRosa
2004 Aaron Weaver
2005 Mike and Kautia Hampton
2006 Jean Grant
2007 Barbara Mills
2008 Lace Blue-McLean and Andy Houston
2009 Brown Dumas

Chronicle reporter Nancy Kennedy can be reached at 564-2927 or nkennedy@ chronicleonline.com.