PORT TOWNSEND — Eight people have been nominated for the 2009 Port Townsend Citizen of the Year, while nine have been suggested for Business Leader of the Year.
The award winners will be announced during a Jan. 31 brunch at the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St., Port Townsend.
The awards brunch, sponsored by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and others, will start at 11:30 a.m.
Began in 1949
The Port Townsend Citizen of the Year award began in 1949.
Port Townsend Aero Museum founders Jerry and Peggy Thuotte were named 2008 Citizens of the Year, and Port Hadlock businesswoman and building association leader Sandy Hershelman was honored as the first recipient of the Tim Caldwell Business Leader of the Year award last year.
Those nominated for Business Leader of the Year are:
• Molly and Michael Klupfell, owners of the Village Baker in Port Hadlock, are involved with the Historic Homes Tours. They were named Business Leader of the Quarter for 2009’s first quarter.
• Mari Mullen, Port Townsend Main Street executive director, has been the program’s leader for more than 10 years. She was named 2009 Business Leader for the second quarter.
• Scott Wilson, Port Townsend-Jefferson County Leader publisher, for his part in Port Townsend’s marketing efforts leading up to the Hood Canal Bridge closure May 1 to replace the bridge’s east half. The weekly newspaper published Discover Your Own Backyard, a bridge closure survival guide with an emphasis on shopping locally, and the newspaper’s annual visitor guide was distributed in Puget Sound to promote Port Townsend business during the closure.
• Katherine Baril, Washington State University Extension director, who oversees Team Jefferson, the county’s economic development agency, and has been involved in promoting agriculture and environmental conservation.
• Joe Euro, The Wine Seller owner for 26 years, is a member of the Port Townsend chamber and Main Street Program, and volunteers with Centrum, Port Townsend Marine Science Center and Jumping Mouse. He is a volunteer chaperone for Port Townsend High School students’ annual trips to Leavenworth and hosts a cast party for school plays. He leads wine-tasting trips to explore European wine regions.
• Bill and Beth Juran, Marketech International and J&S Fabrication owners, have increased sales since they purchased Marketech in 2007, and have expanded their sales of precious metals and ceramics to a worldwide market. They have doubled their work force since June 2007 and also are school system boosters for education and athletics.
• Gary Tocatlian, who owns T’s Restaurant with his wife, Nancy, has expanded and relocated his family-owned business and its staff to an historic building leased from the Port of Port Townsend, and completely remodeled inside, with an outside deck overlooking Point Hudson Marina and Port Townsend Bay.
Nominees for Citizen of the Year are:
• Max and Sherry Grover were nominated for promoting the arts and artists. Before Sherry Grover died Dec. 10, she ran Art Sparks, while Max Grover established an art gallery in downtown Port Townsend, Fun Art for the Serious Mind. Both supported and promoted the Port Townsend Film Festival.
• Catska and Cory Ench, both artists and historic muralists, have long supported The Boiler Room youth center downtown, serving on the board and guiding young artists.
• Helen Kullman, who just finished her 10th year as Port Townsend Food Bank manager, has guided the food bank through major growth and helped relocate it last year to larger quarters at Mountain View Commons. The food bank serves as many as 230 families. She is a Lion’s Club member, volunteers at the homeless shelter and teaches a free exercise class.
• Charlie and Jayne Neu have been active in the Rhododendron Festival. He has served as secretary for the Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary Club, and both have been active in fundraising for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show. She is the Rotary Youth Exchange officer.
• Steve Oliver, president and shareholder in Platt Irwin law firm, has been board president for the Northwest Maritime Center and Wooden Boat Foundation since January 2008 and previously served as an officer and trustee for the Wooden Boat Foundation. He was involved in the construction of the Northwest Maritime Center. He serves on the First Federal board and is president and planned giving chairman for the Olympic Medical Center Foundation. He is president of the Hurricane Ridge Development Authority.
Tickets are $20. For reservations, phone the chamber’s Visitor Center at 360-385-7869 or e-mail info@ptchamber.org. Those interested can RSVP Jennifer Wells MacGillonie, chamber interim executive director, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber is also looking for table sponsors at $50 for a table and recognition in the program.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
