NORDLAND – When Hadlock Building Supply burned in 1995, all the employees were kept on the payroll while the new building was constructed.
This commitment to the community is one example of why one of the business’ owners, Joe Lovato, and his wife, Lil, were selected as Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year for 2006.
Gladys Heinzinger, Citizen of the Year in 2004, made the announcement Monday evening at a meeting of the Marrowstone Island Community Association.
The couple will be honored at a dinner within a couple of months.
The Lovatos moved to the area in 1988 after Joe and his partner, Morris James, purchased Hadlock Building Supply in 1984.
Through the company, they made contributions such as certifying the employees as drug-free and giving them incentives to stop smoking.
The business also contributed more than 300 smoke detectors to Chimacum, Port Ludlow and Brinnon fire departments for residents who couldn’t afford them.
