The Lassen County Chamber of Commerce gave a fantastic party Friday night at their Annual Chamber Membership and Awards Dinner.
The banquet honored the Chamber’s three major award winners; Volunteer of the Year, Patricia Sharp; Member of the Year, the Lassen County Times and Business of the Year, The Pardner Western Store.
Keynote speaker for the evening was Jared Hancock, Planner for the City of Susanville. Hancock talked of the importance of working closely with businesses and making it easy, simple and quick for them to deal with local government.
He pointed to the new Ross Store and the new uptown Brew Pub as excellent examples of how the City can help attract new business to the community by streamlining processes and paying attention to customer service.
Outgoing Chamber President Chuck Downs turned the reigns over to incoming President Ed Swayze. Swayze and his wife Tammy own Customer Talk in Susanville.
Jean Coye introduced the Volunteer of the Year, Patricia Sharp, who she called, “tireless when it comes to helping her community.”
Sharp is involved in an amazing list of good works including her role as President of the South Lassen County Senior’s Club, Vice-President of the Lassen Senior Services Board and an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Doyle Fire Department. She also runs the USDA commodities for the south county, directs the Lassen-Modoc Food Bank Board, arranges a veterinary clinic in Doyle once a year and is President of the Doyle Historical Society.
Theresa Philips introduced the Member of the Year, the Lassen County Times, and read a letter from Feather Publishing owners Mike and Keri Taborski.
Philips recalled that the first edition of the Times was produced by a staff of only 5 employees, including Margie Teeter as the paper’s first City Editor. The first 14-page paper rolled off the presses on October 18th, 1978.
The Times is part of a six paper group which includes the Westwood Pine Press, Chester Progressive, Indian Valley Record, Feather River Bulletin and the Portola Reporter. In its 34-year history the newspaper has won more than 200 state and national awards.
The Pardner Western Store was honored as the Chamber’s 2011 Business of the Year, recognized for their excellence in service over the last 45 years. Philips pointed to the store’s customer service and knowledgeable, friendly owners who believe in the community they serve and, “think of themselves in terms of not just owning a business, but offering a place that their neighbors, friends and family are proud to support.”
“The owners, Curt and Joan Moran, and the staff at the Pardner work hard to support FFA, 4-H, the JR. Livestock Auction and many other worthwhile community endeavors.”
