There are people in this community who spend hours upon hours
trying to make the county a better place to live.
The San Benito Chamber of Commerce recognizes this feat every
year by awarding one man, one woman and a number of businesses who
have shown exemplary service to San Benito County, said Theresa
Kiernan, the executive director of the chamber.
There are people in this community who spend hours upon hours trying to make the county a better place to live.
The San Benito Chamber of Commerce recognizes this feat every year by awarding one man, one woman and a number of businesses who have shown exemplary service to San Benito County, said Theresa Kiernan, the executive director of the chamber.
The general public is able to nominate whomever they feel is worthy of being honored as man and woman of the year, as well as outstanding businesses, Kiernan said.
“This thing’s been going on for years,” she said.
To nominate someone, a person must fill out a nomination card by Oct. 31, which they can pick up at the chamber. To date, about two dozen nominations have been filled out, she said.
Questions focusing on why a certain person gives so much time and energy to the community are included on the nomination form.
“We’re trying to get to the heart of what gets these people to do what they do,” she said.
After all the nomination forms are submitted, applications are sent out to the nominees. Some people fill the applications out and send them back, however some people choose not to participate.
“There are some folks in the community who just don’t want to toot their own horn, so to speak,” she said.
The applications which are returned are then voted on within different committees in the chamber, and the winners are honored during a ceremony held at San Juan Oaks. The celebration will be Jan. 17, 2004.
“We pack the house,” she said. “We took over the place last year.”
Last year, Dee Hone was the woman of the year, and man of the year award went to Gary Goularte.
Businesses included last year were Pride of San Juan, K&S Market and Round Table Pizza.
