Luke named Citizen of the Year
SUN PHOTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH, eallen@sun-herald.com
Jill Luke, manager of Patriot Self Storage, was named the city's 2012 Citizen of the Year Thursday during an annual recognition luncheon at the George Mullen Activity Center. Luke is an active volunteer and chamber board member, and helps many in the community.
SUN PHOTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH, eallen@sun-herald.com
North Port Public Works employee John Brown is congratulated as he walks to the stage Thursday at the George Mullen Activity Center to receive his plaque for 2012 Employee of the Year.
SUN PHOTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH, eallen@sun-herald.com
North Port Public Works employee John Brown is congratulated as he walks to the stage Thursday at the George Mullen Activity Center to receive his plaque for 2012 Employee of the Year.
SUN PHOTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH, eallen@sun-herald.com
North Port City Commissioner Rhonda DiFranco, along with North Port police officers, applaud Timothy Spates for receiving the Officer of the Year award Thursday at the city's recognition luncheon.
SUN PHOTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH, eallen@sun-herald.com
North Port Fire Chief Bill Taaffe congratulates new Fire Officer of the Year, Lt. John Waligora, at the lunch. Also awarded was Christina Doyle, as Firefighter of the Year.
NORTH PORT — Jill Luke was standing outside of the gym at the George Mullen Activity Center, just minutes removed from being awarded the 2012 Citizen of the Year during a special city-recognition program, when tears welled in her eyes. She was mentally rifling through a list of people she wanted to thank when she thought of North Port City Commissioner Tom Jones, who is fighting his way back after suffering a stroke earlier this month.
“He had his hand on the heartbeat of the future of this city,” Luke said Thursday. “It’s a loss not having him (here), because he’s an inspiration, but we have to continue on.”
