PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce will honor its citizen of the year and business leader of the year at a brunch on Sunday, Jan. 30.
Four nominations have been made for the citizen of the year award, while six nominations are in for business leader of the year.
The Sunday brunch will be at 12:30 p.m. in the Fort Worden Commons and will also include the formal installation of the 2011 chamber board of directors.
“The national average for volunteerism is about 70 percent, but in Port Townsend that number is considerably higher,” said chamber President Kim Aldrich.
“We have many individuals who donate their time to good causes, and it is important that they be recognized.”
For citizen of the year, local Kiwanis, Rotary and Soroptimists discuss the merits of the nominees and select the one they feel is most deserving of the award.
Citizen nominees are:
• Bishop Victorian Hotel co-owner Cindy Hill Finnie, who is a Centrum board member and chairwoman of the Washington State Arts Commission.
• Jefferson Healthcare hospital gift shop manager Helen Marriott, a longtime member of the Jefferson Healthcare Hospital Auxiliary.
• Kim McGuire, Jefferson Equestrian Association past president, who has worked for years to establish a horse park in Jefferson County.
• Lucille and Noble Nilsen, who have made custom quilts for nearly 500 babies born at the Jefferson Healthcare Family Birth Center during the last five years.
The business leader of the year will be chosen by an appointed committee of the chamber of commerce board.
The six business leader nominations are:
• Katherine Baril, who recently retired as the Washington State University Extension executive director after 20 years and who volunteers with Team Jefferson.
• Susan Windle, Forest Gems Gallery co-owner and president of the Port Townsend Main Street Program.
• Christina Pivarnik, city of Port Townsend marketing director and co-owner of Christina James Winery, who provides marketing services for the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and serves on the Jefferson Equestrian Association board.
• Bill Mahler, Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding executive director.
• Hadlock Building Supply founders Morris and Sandy James and Lillian Lovato and her late husband, Joe.
• Valley Tavern co-owner Chuck Russell, who serves on the boards of Jefferson Healthcare hospital and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and is active in the East Jefferson County Rotary Club.
Brunch tickets are $25.
Reserve a space by sending a check and the names of attendees by Monday to the chamber Visitor Information Center, 440 12th St., Port Townsend, WA 98368, or you can buy tickets at the center (near the Haines Place Park-and-Ride lot adjacent to Safeway).
Or RSVP by Monday by phoning the chamber at 360-385-7869 or emailing admin@jeffcountychamber.org.
Your payment will be taken at the door.
RSVP by phoning 360-385-7869 by Jan. 24 to guarantee a seat.
Those who respond by Monday will be guaranteed a seat.
For more information, phone 360-385-7869 or e-mail admin@jeffcountychamber.org.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.