Community leaders to be honored

Ohio’s second in command will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner.

Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor will speak at the awards dinner Oct. 27. Taylor is the state’s 65th lieutenant governor and soon after her inauguration was named to reform the state’s regulatory policies. She is also director of the Ohio Department of Insurance.

Before becoming lieutenant governor, Taylor was the state’s auditor.

“I was very, very impressed with her when she came to the area,” Bob Smith, chamber director, said “She was campaigning with Governor Kasich. She is very well spoken, very eloquent. She had some good things to say about the state and the direction they want the state to go.

“We thought it would be good for her to come down and share her thoughts and some of the things she is working on, things she is very passionate about, to tell us what is going with the state.”

Also during the banquet the chamber will recognize a number of businesses and individuals for their contributions to the county including Business of the Year; the George Patterson Business Person of the Year; Business Entrepreneur of the Year; Public Servant of the Year and Young Professional of the Year.

“It is always good to recognize businesses for their accomplishments,” Smith said. “That is what this world is all about. We like to pat people on the back.”

Also during the evening chamber president Doug Korstanje will hand over the gravel to Ron Eastham, the incoming president.

Table sponsorships are available for $500 for a table of 8 and individual tickets are priced at $50. The dinner will be catered by Bellefonte Country Club. To make reservation, contact the chamber at 377-4550.

“It should be a very, very nice occasion,” Smith said. “We are happy that Mary Taylor is coming down. She has a very tight schedule and was able to work us in.”