Chamber right on the mark (01/26/2009)

Give credit to the Jay County Chamber of Commerce.

Its annual awards hit the bull's eye consistently Saturday night.

Awards like these run the risk of becoming devalued if they're not administered thoughtfully, but the chamber shows no signs of falling into that trap.

Instead, this year's awards brought the spotlight of recognition on worthy individuals and institutions.

Mark Goldman, who provided essential leadership during the transition to a countywide chamber as its first president, was an outstanding choice as Citizen of the Year. Mark's love for Jay County is both legendary and contagious. If you're not fired up about the potential of this community, spend five minutes with Mark and you will be.

Elizabeth Starbuck, who has avoided the limelight during most of her distinguished career in banking and philanthropy, has been a key behind-the-scenes player in good works at Jay County Hospital and Arts Place. Her Lifetime Achievement Award was a fitting tribute to her inspiring character.

This year marked the second time that Dunkirk's glass container manufacturer has been honored as Industry of the Year. It won that distinction first as Ball-Foster, but it clearly earned it again as Saint-Gobain, the centuries-old French firm that has transformed the Dunkirk plant into a high-tech, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that is now the largest glass plant in the United States.

Naming John Jay Center for Learning as Business of the Year may be a bit of a stretch, since it's a non-profit organization.

But those involved in the early years of John Jay will assure you that to succeed, it has had to behave like a business. Its success has depended upon smart business planning, attracting capital from donors willing to invest in the community's future, and delivering services - life-changing educational opportunities - to its customers.

And finally, the Dunkirk Commitment Award struck the right note as well, going to Portland attorney Bill Hinkle, who has served as Dunkirk's city attorney for 34 years and who has been instrumental in helping to move that community forward. It's not the sort of work that garners headlines, but it does bring results. And that's what matters.

To all the recipients, congratulations on your well-earned honors. To the Jay County Chamber of Commerce, thanks for a job well done. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]