|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868
March 13, 2013
Central School District Classified Employee of the Year -- Stephanie Heins-Mueller
Heins-Mueller was hired as an instructional assistant at Central High in 1980, then, a year later, was promoted to secretary to the vice-principal. Heins-Mueller still holds that position today. She volunteers her time to serve on committees at the state level to bring attention to the needs of students, educators and classified employees.
New Business of the Year -- Yeasty Beasty
Thomas Jones, a former owner of an advertising agency, opened his craft and artisan pizzeria last summer. It's become a local favorite since.
"I got on (Yeasty Beasty's) Facebook page today and they have 1,123 `likes,'" noted award presenter Larry Sykes. "With that many `likes,' you're doing something right -- and what they're doing right is serving wonderful pizza."
Small Business of the Year -- Sing Fay Chinese Restaurant
"My husband and I bought this restaurant 5.5 years ago and have worked in it every day since," Sing Fay co-owner Mandy Kuang wrote in a speech read by M-I Chamber officials. "When we moved from Portland to Monmouth, we had no idea we and our girls would be so happy here."
Kuang is noted as being a "motherly figure" to Western Oregon University's large population of Chinese exchange students; "she gives them advice and a little taste of home while they're here," award presenter Molly McDermond said.
Large Business of the Year -- Monmouth-Independence Network (MINET).
MINET is a municipally-owned fiber optic network created by Monmouth and Independence in 2003, first to serve government buildings and schools. The utility began offering high-speed Internet, television and phone services to homes in 2006 and has nearly 7,000 subscribers today.
"I would like to thank the people who work at MINET and make it a great business," said Ross Schultz, MINET interim general manager. "The one thing the cities really got right in terms of MINET is thinking forward and working hard to future-proof this community ... for that I thank you."
Nonprofit of the Year -- The Ron Wilson Center.
The Ron Wilson Center is a private nonprofit agency in Monmouth founded in 1974 by a group of parents and concerned citizens. The agency provides residential care, life skills training and vocational services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It employs 160 people.
"It's really an honor to be nominated and be a recipient of this award," said Ron Wilson director Paul Steed. "Our team at the Ron Wilson Center strives daily to be really positive in our approach to supporting those individuals who might need that extra touch."
ACEBOOK