Chamber seeks nominees for top citizen honor

Who will be Citizen of the Year for 2008?

The answer will be unveiled at the 78th Annual Kilgore Chamber of Commerce Banquet.

The Citizen of the Year award — one of the highest honors bestowed upon a citizen by the Chamber — promises to be a highlight at the annual membership banquet.

"The banquet is an opportunity for merchants and patrons alike to see each other on an annual basis. Even though you may do business with these merchants, this is an opportunity to visit with them on a social level," Mike Coston, chamber president, said.

If anyone knows someone who should be considered for this award, please write a letter explaining why they deserve the award and submit it in a sealed envelope to the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce no later than Friday, January 23, 2009.

Guidelines for the Citizen of the Year award include:

— The nominee must have been a resident of Kilgore for at least five years.

— The award shall be based on the honoree's activities for at least five years.

— The recipient should be a local business or civic leader, male or female, whose unselfish service has furthered the civic and business welfare of Kilgore.

— The recipient should be a member of the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce or a representative of a member firm in good standing.

— The recipient shall have manifested unusual service in one or more of the following:

Community service projects, such as youth work; civic club service; church activities; civic improvement projects; United Fund; industrial development; unsolicited and unselfish service for others to the betterment and community life in Kilgore; talent or willingness to help; and, his or her unselfish attitude.

The chamber will also announce the Ambassador of the Year during the banquet. The Ambassador of the year is selected through a point system, dependent on the number of hours of service logged by an ambassador.

In addition to awards other speakers are scheduled.

Patty Ford, chair-elect is slated to advance her up-coming term as chairman of the board and announce the new board of directors.

Brian Bittick, out-going chairman of the board, will recap the year's happenings. Bittick started the year as chairelect and moved up when Roland Velvin left Kilgore, therefor Bittick was not afforded the opportunity to advance his plans for the board at the last annual banquet.

Special guest speaker Janice Ralston Sons has been making audiences laugh for more than a decade. She entertains groups throughout Texas and Okla. with her special way of making people laugh at themselves.

Ralston Son's philosophy is "in today's world with the stresses of job, family, and community, we must seize a few laughs when we can."

The banquet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at First Baptist Church.

Cost is $25 per person, or a table of eight for $350.