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Citizen of the Year award takes recipient by surprise

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By Chelsey Levingston, Staff Writer 10:35 PM Thursday, July 2, 2009

FRANKLIN — Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce awarded seven local residents and businesses at its annual meeting and awards banquet held Saturday, June 20.

But one honor is kept secret: The citizen of the Year Award, which was presented to Rita Maschmeier, said Peggy Darragh-Jeromos, chamber executive director.

Maschmeier thought she was going to a Father’s Day dinner at JD Legends, not the chamber meeting and banquet.

“I’m still, even now, you know, why me? I’m no different than anyone else in Franklin that helps the chamber,” said Maschmeier.

Maschmeier often takes it upon herself to help the chamber, filling business expo goodie bags, buying calendars with the chamber logo and making a chamber directory. But the honored citizen says it doesn’t seem like it’s enough to earn the award.

“I don’t tell them, I just do it,” said Maschmeier, co-owner of Bob’s Moraine Trucking on Claude Thomas Road.

“Rita is just one of those people, if something needs done, she doesn’t want any accolades for herself. She’s just a very generous person,” said Darragh-Jeromos.

The following also were awarded Saturday:

• Eldridge Award for Historical Preservation to Jeff Kirby, a Franklin High School graduate who practices law in Springboro, for his book “Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat.”

• Thirkield Award for Commercial Property Renovation to Landmark Kitchen and Bath Shoppe on South Main Street, owned by Donnie Hale and Steve Schwieterman.

• Perry Maxwell Award for fostering community goodwill to Nancy Osborne, a Carlisle High School graduate and organist for Franklin’s Methodist Church, for organizing summer lunches and evening community dinners.

• Industry of the Year to Richards Monument, owned by Jerry Richards, a Franklin graduate, for commitment to customer satisfaction.

• Business of the Year to Senior Independence Adult Day Care Center on Conover Drive for providing a valuable service.

• President’s Award to Cherie Cooper Darragh, former chamber executive director, for re-establishing the chamber.

The chamber also set its 2009-10 Board of Directors. Tonya Bowman was named president, Charlie Samaan vice president, Susan Svarda treasurer, and Anita Carroll, Denise Price and Steve Simpkins were named board members.

Allan Powers, Liz Buchanan and James Ruppert stay on as board members, while Drew Mantel Phyllis Clark and Marilee Pretzinger have finished their three-year terms.

The chamber, which has 125 members, looks at itself as a partnership, said Darragh-Jeromos.

“To really make it clear that people are doing great things and they need to be recognized for it,” she said. “You have to have vital business for a community to be thriving.”

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