Gary Duncan, CEO of Freeman Hospitals, was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year at the annual Joplin Chamber of Commerce Banquet Thursday night at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center.
Other winners at the banquet included:
Small Business of the Year, 1-10 employees- Michael R. LaFerla, D.D.S.
Small Business of the Year, 11-50 employees- Zimmer Radio Group
Small Business of the Year, not-for-profit- Ronald McDonald House
Edmund Albert Bliedung Award- Grace Energy Corporation, PRO 100 Inc. Realtors
Small Industry- Creative Works
Golden Apple K-2- Connie Souza, Martin Luther School
Golden Apple 3-5- David Culbertson, Cecil Floyd Elementary
Golden Apple 6-8- Linda Norwood, Memorial Middle School
Golden Apple- 9-12- Jean Miller, College Heights Christian School
Former Joplin Assistant City Manager Harold McCoy, who recently retired after serving the city for 46 years, was recognized by the Chamber. McCoy said the improvements in Joplin had been a result of a team effort. "It was my privilege to be a part of that."
Bill Gipson ended his year as the Chamber's chairman of the board and handed the gavel over to Karen Lawson who will serve for 2005-2006.
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One complaint many readers and viewers have about news organizations is that they do stories, then they move on to the next stories, never looking back to see if any changes or improvements have been made, or finding out what happened to the people they wrote about earlier.
That is why last night's KOAM report by Lisa Olliges on a bullying Montgomery County, Kan., judge was especially appreciated. The February report apparently made some changes in the Montgomery County system though, of course, county officials won't admit that any of the changes came because the media spotlight was focused on the outrages.