Chamber to Honor Physician, Educator

Richard Loft and Barbara Wagner have been named man and woman of the year by the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce.

The honors were part of the chamber’s Top Ten Community Awards, recognizing individuals, businesses or service organizations whose accomplishments have resulted in Camarillo being a better place in which to live, work and play, chamber officials said.

An independent committee made up of community members announced the awards:

* Man of the Year: Dr. Richard Loft, a physician for the past 30 years, who contributed services to athletes at Camarillo and Rio Mesa high schools, Interface Family Services and the Trainable Mentally Retarded Program.

* Woman of the Year: Barbara Wagner, who has served in the Pleasant Valley School District as a teacher, principal and now director of instructional programs and who founded the Summer Learning Academy and the Parenting Institute.

* Business of the Year: Barry’s Auto Service, which allows employees to solicit contributions for charity during work time and has been involved in the American Heart Assn., the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club and the Regional Occupational Program.

* Youths of the Year: Sarah Fessenden and Christopher Valenzano.

* Volunteer of the Year: Marlon Van Cott.

* Senior of the Year: Robert Trainer.

* Educator of the Year: Raelene Manzer.

* Public Servant of the Year: Darlene Benz.

* Service Organization of the Year: Camarillo Noontime Rotary Club.

The awards will be presented at a dinner banquet Oct. 3 at Spanish Hills Golf and Country Club. For more information, call 484-4383.