Chamber Honors Citizens, Businesses

The Chamber of Commerce announced its third annual Poinsettia Awards on Tuesday.

“You have all made Ventura a better place to live this year,” Zoe Taylor, executive director of the chamber, told the winners. “You are the heart and soul of Ventura.”

The awards recognize those who have made notable volunteer contributions in Ventura and businesses that have grown significantly in the past year, said Clark Owens, chamber president.

Awards for each category are chosen by the candidate’s peers.

More than 240 people attended the awards ceremony at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel to see the chamber pass out 14 awards, including Citizen of the Year, which was given to Edna Mills for her 30 years of volunteer work.

The 1999 Jewel Key award went to Pacific View Mall for its renovation, while the Small Business award went to Villa Tasca, owned by Doug Halter and Randy Encinas.

Police Chief Mike Tracy presented the Officer of the Year award to Sgt. Glen “Skip” Young for his work as a homicide investigator and in gang suppression.

Firefighter of the Year went to Capt. Myles Smith of Fire Station No. 1 on Ventura Avenue.

Other award winners:

* City Staff Person of the Year: Will Santoyo

* Service Organization of the Year: The Rotary Club of Ventura--East

* Community Volunteer: Jon Avery

* Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year: Denise Stumbough

* Special Events Lady of the Year: Willene Schmitt

* Educator of the Year: Beth Fruchey

* Male Student of the Year: John Hughes

* Female Student of the Year: Ailene Sankur

* Large Business of the Year: Affinity Group and Affinity Band

* Volunteer of the Year: Jim Nichols