The Belmar Chamber of Commerce will host the 13th Annual Citizen of the Year dinner on Wednesday, May 20 at the Riverview Pavilion in Belmar from 6 to 8p.m.

 

Chamber President Rachel Rogers is pleased to announce that Belmar residents Pat and John Hutchinson of the Belmar Arts Council have been selected as the 2009 Citizens of the Year.

 

The couple has devoted their time and resources to the Belmar Arts Council, the non-profit corporation that is dedicated to making Belmar a better place to live through the arts. The Belmar Arts Council maintains a gallery/workshop, the Boatworks on River Road in the borough.

 

The Hutchinsons have been instrumental to the formation of the Belmar Arts Council since its inception. Mrs. Hutchinson was named BAC chair in 2006 at which time the council earned its nonprofit status. The couple continues to donate their time and energy to the organization.

 

In addition, the Belmar Chamber has expanded this year's event to include two other awards.

 

The Lifetime Business Achievement Award will be presented to the Sterner family. The Sterner family's history in Belmar is one of business success, as well as dedication to the community.

 

Great grandfather Willard J. Sterner arrived in Ocean Beach (now Belmar) in 1882. In 1888 he became manager of Warman Lumber, the company that supplied the materials that helped build the original Borough of Belmar.  Willard married Jane Disbrow the first female teacher of the Belmar School and the first in Monmouth County.

 

E. Donald Sterner with his father Willard incorporated Sterner Coal and Lumber in 1919. E. Donald went on to become a State Senator and Highway Commissioner for New Jersey. He was President of the Belmar Chamber of Commerce in 1925.

 

E. Donald developed Highway Route 38 (138). He was the President of the original Belmar Savings and Loan and he acquired and dedicated Doughboy Park after World War I.

 

The Sterner family through four generations has been both Town Fathers and Citizens of Belmar for over 127 years. Today that tradition is carried on by Reneé Sterner, wife of Jack Sterner's, Douglas Sterner, Donald Sterner, John Thomas, Sue Kelsey, Lynda Barrow and Jacqueline Biesiadecki. 

 

The Excellence in Community Service Award will be presented to Nick Mihalic, who was appointed as Belmar Fire Administrator and Fire Chief this January. He and his fellow firefighters have battled recent blazes including the Marina View Towers fire in July, 2008. The first responders were honored for their heroics by the town at a September, 2008 council meeting.

 

These two new awards will become a staple of the chamber's annual event.

 

"We want to expand on our celebration and recognize more of the people who make Belmar a better place to live," Chamber President Rachel Rogers said.

 

Ticket Sales 

Tickets for the Citizen of the Year dinner will be on sale at the Chamber office for $45 per person. The cost includes a selection of appetizers, entrees and a one-hour open bar. Please contact Tracy at admin@belmarchamber.com or 732-681-2900 to reserve your tickets today.

 

Sponsorship Opportunities

& Ad Journal

Gold Sponsor: $500
Includes two tickets, full page ad in Journal
& Sign recognition

 

Silver Sponsor: $300
Includes 1/2 page ad in Journal & Sign recognition

 

A commemorative ad journal will be produced to recognize the award recipients. Anyone wishing to congratulate them can contact the Chamber at info@belmarchamber.com for ad journal pricing or download and fill out the form below.

 

-Sponsorship & Ad Journal Order Form-