Citizen of the Year nominations sought

Each year, the Nevada Rotary Club bestows on one of Vernon County's own an honor recognizing that individual's dedication, care and commitment to the community.

The organization is now accepting nominations for the 2011 Citizen of the Year. The award will be presented to an outstanding citizen of Vernon County later this year and nominees need not be affiliated with the Nevada Rotary Club.

A committee of past recipients will convene to review qualifications of those nominated and will select the person to receive this award and arrange for a presentation ceremony; the decision is made wholly at the discretion of the committee.

"The basic criteria to be used in the final selection will be the person who has best exhibited service above self. Both quantity and quality of service beyond the call of duty will be considered. The award must be made to a citizen who will add luster to it," a press release from the committee said.

The award, which can be made to any resident of Vernon County, will be based on the person's service record for the preceding five years, but priority will be given to the current calendar year's record of "service above self." The award recipient must have high ethical and moral standards, will be widely recognized as a community and will have a record of civic-minded efforts and actions reflecting community responsibility, the press release added.

A long-standing tradition, the Citizen of the Year award has been presented annually since 1942, when the first such honor went to J.H. Bean, who was managing editor of the Nevada Daily Mail. At that time, it was a project administered by the American Legion, but later the Rotary Club took on the project.

Over the years, many others have joined the ranks of those chosen, including 10 attorneys, six educators, five journalists, three doctors and a host of civic leaders who made their mark on the community. On three occasions, two people have shared the honor. In 2010, Tricia Bridgewater and Denise Nelson were co-recipients of the award. In 1988, Bryan Breckenridge and Patty Breckenridge shared the honor, and Tom Hissink and Kendall Vickers were dual recipients in 2002.

Nominations should include the name, address and telephone number of the nominee, explanation of their civic or community service, their work in business or governmental affairs, educational or recreational activities, their charitable or service club achievements and any other information that might help the committee in the selection process. The name, address and phone number for the person submitting the nomination also should be included.

Nominations will be accepted through March 22, and may be made by mail at: Citizen of the Year Nomination, PO Box 4, Nevada, MO 64772.