Orange Dangles Prize in Search for Citizen of Year

Perhaps it’s because the citizens of Orange are shy, or maybe it’s because they’re humble. Whatever the reason, every year the city has a tough time attracting nominations for its prestigious Citizen of the Year award.

This year, the city has provided a little incentive. The City Council has approved a $3,000 prize to encourage service and nonprofit organizations, churches and individuals to enter the names of their hardest-working volunteers for the honor. The Chamber of Commerce has bestowed the award since 1959.

The time and effort involved in the nominating process may have deterred people from participating, said Jane Henderson, a member of the chamber’s nominating committee. But this year, in addition to the cash incentive, the application has been reduced to a “very simple, one-page” process, she said.

If a service organization enters the winning name, money will be donated to that group. If an individual submits the winning candidate, the money goes to a favorite charity. Funds for the award will come from the city’s advertising and promotion budget.

Nominees should be people “who have truly made a volunteer effort to help the city and (whose) service is not part of their existing jobs,” said Councilman William G. Steiner.

The Citizen of the Year will be selected from five finalists and honored at the annual Chamber of Commerce awards luncheon June 14, Henderson said. Winners receive plaques, and their photographs hang at City Hall.

The deadline for 1991 applications is May 1. For more information or an application, call the Chamber of Commerce at (714) 538-3581.