Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Supervisors pick citizens of year
Supervisors pick citizens of yearHe called Hope Porter the "conscience and voice of conservation and land use" in Fauquier for the last 50 years.
"Hope has had probably a more profound influence on the nature of what this county is now than any other individual I can think of," said Fauquier County Supervisor Harry Atherton, presenting the 2007 Marshall District Citizen of the Year award to Porter during the board’s Dec. 13 meeting. "The county owes her a huge debt of gratitude."
He cited his mother-in-law’s "endless" letter writing to editors, petition "circulating," door-to-door "politicking" and fundraising.
During the last board meeting of the year, the supervisors choose a citizen from their respective magisterial districts who has made significant contributions to the community.
Chester Stribling chose 11 Eagle Scouts, including his son, Thomas Stribling, from two Boy Scout troops from Lee District.
He suggested it was unusual for so many in a small community to receive scouting’s highest award in a single year.
Eagle Scout projects require the young men to invest a minimum of 100 hours in their community-service projects. They also must show leadership and obtain funding for the projects, Stribling said.
"It’s a big job," Stribling said. "It’s a real commitment of the families, a commitment of the boys."
Several of the Eagle Scouts attended the board meeting.
Ray Graham picked the Catlett-Calverton-Casanova Ruritan Club for the Cedar Run District award.
Its many activities include scholarships for high school students, financial support for local sports groups, Christmas food baskets for the poor and the like, Graham said.
Graham, a club member, said the organization over the years has devoted "hundreds and hundreds of thousands of hours" of volunteer work to the programs.
He mentioned that Edwin Gulick, who didn’t attend the board meeting, has belonged to the club for more than 55 years. Others have been members for more 20 or 30 years, Graham said.
Thirteen members were on hand to receive the citizen of the year award.
"We’re a small group, but powerful," Graham said.
Bill Downey chose Andy Budd, owner of Country Chevrolet in Warrenton for the Scott District Citizen of the Year.
In making his selection, Downey mentioned the local relief effort Budd organized for 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina victims. In both instances, Budd, using his own money, purchased medical supplies and food and transported them to New York and New Orleans.
Each year, Budd also donates a new car to Liberty High School and to Fauquier High School to raffle off at each school’s after-prom party.
Budd wasn’t at the meeting to receive his award.
Richard Robison gave John V. Albertella the Center District Citizen of the Year award.
He cited Albertella’s service as a Warrenton town councilman, participation on a panel that revised the Warrenton Service District land-use plan, and membership on the county architectural review board. Last year, Albertella also helped with Citizens for Fauquier County’s roadside trash pick-up effort.
E-mail the reporter: ddelrosso@timespapers
You must be logged in to post a comment.