Chamber announces Ray Miller finalists

VW independent/submitted information

The Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2016 Ray Miller and Crystal Image finalists.

The Ray Miller and Crystal Image Award with Milestone and Golden Shovel recognition awards will be presented at the 94th annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony this Thursday, January 28, at Wassenberg Art Center. Featured speaker will include Mayor of Hillsboro and comedian Drew Hastings. No more tickets are available for this event as it is now sold out.

This year’s Ray Miller Award finalists include Ohio City Mayor Carol Miller and Kathy Taylor, retired English teacher with Van Wert City Schools. These two represent the very best of the Van Wert community, demonstrating their strong commitment to the community through volunteer work, participation in community organizations and outstanding service to the Van Wert community.

Last year’s Ray Miller award was Edd Buhl, former senior vice president of Central Insurance Companies.

Taylor had no idea of the impact her vision would mean to hungry children and their families in 2010 and continues to mean today. Taylor, collaborating with Van Wert High School senior students, established the Blessings in a Backpack program for younger Van Wert students that provides food for the weekend for those who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program. What began as a labor of love program filling 70 backpacks with food now serves 280.

“Once the seniors hear Kathy’s presentation and passion for the program, they too get excited about it and almost all the classes choose to get involved,” said Myrna Hamrick, English teacher at Van Wert High School.

Taylor’s passion to serve has also included more than 14 years of service to the Crisis Care Line Board in Van Wert County. Crisis Care provides shelter for men, women and children who suffer from domestic violence.

Miller has brought pride and leadership to the village of Ohio City. After her career ended with Teleflex in 2007, she was ready for a new challenge and wanted to make a difference in her community. Retiring was just not something she was ready for. She moved on to several different positions, but it was public service to Ohio City that began more than 15 years ago that inspired her to make a difference in the “Small Town with a Big Heart.”

After serving on the Ohio City Village Council for 12 years, Miller wanted to take her service to the next level and became mayor in May 2013. Miller loves her village and is determined to make Ohio City and Van Wert County a better place to live.

Mayor Miller continues to go above and beyond promoting her community, making Ohio City stronger and positioning this Van Wert County village for growth. Miller has taken an active role in promoting the economic development for Ohio City, visiting with village businesses to make sure they have what they need to succeed.

This has included taking an active role in the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as economic development events and programming to shine the spotlight on Ohio City.

“Carol does an outstanding job representing the Ohio City community,” said Tom Turnwald, owner of Teem Wholesale, which is based in Ohio City. “She takes great pride in the village and strives to make it a great place to work and raise a family.”

“This will be an annual dinner to remember; we have a sold-out venue to welcome comedian Drew Hastings to Van Wert,” said Chamber President/CEO Susan Munroe. “But the big reason we’re all be there though is to honor the businesses and individuals that make up the heart of our community and represent the best of our community. I’m in such admiration for the incredible service both Carol and Kathy have given to Van Wert County.”

Munroe added that 16 Chamber member businesses would be presented with Milestone awards and seven businesses with Golden Shovel awards.

Sponsors for the event include premier sponsors Apex Clean Energy, Alexander & Bebout Inc. and Central Insurance Companies, while awards sponsors include Culligan, Van Wert County Hospital, Vantage Career Center, Van Wert Manor, Purmort Brothers Insurance, Quick Lane Tire & Auto and StateWide Ford Lincoln.