“One thing that struck me about the winners is that they all have some things in common,” said Kenny Craig, president of the Chamber of Commerce. “They attribute success to factors other than themselves. They set up their successors for even greater success. And they have a workman-like diligence that is more work-horse than show horse.”
Vision Commissioners Mike Dingeldein and Jeffrey Diver presented the awards.
Dingeldein noted that there is a 50-year age span between the oldest and youngest award recipients.
“We talk about a generation gap, but not today,” he said. “But another thing they have in common is that they don’t accept the status quo.”
“Live” category awards were presented to Historic Developers Inc and John R. Moser for making “an impact on our community by efforts to improve the city where we live through historic preservation, making livable neighborhoods, positive image, community service, connecting people, or influencing education.”
Historic Developers earned this honor for three redevelopment projects in downtown Hamilton — the Mercantile Block, the Historic JournalNews Building on Court Street and the Robinson-Schwenn building.
“It is fair to say that this development group has had an impact on downtown Hamilton beyond any other in decades,” Diver said.
Steve Coon, who accepted the award with Joe Parsons, said their part was easy.
“It was just having the will to save those buildings,” he said. “You have so much fabric here that this is going to be known as one of the best cities to do development.”
In introducing Moser, Dingeldein noted that the retired judge and master gardener “works hard to make Hamilton beautiful, clean and inviting.”
Moser said that he could point out many individuals in the audience who deserved the award more than him.
“There are so many volunteers who are going to make this city go,” he said. “Hamilton is on its way, and I appreciate being a part of it.”
The “Work” category honorees were given to Chad Riegert, owner of In Motion Bicycle Shop, and Assistant City Manager Brandon Saurber for making “an impact on our community by efforts to improve the city where we work through innovation, job creation, or economic development.”
Riegert, a native Hamiltonian who graduated from Badin High School in 1989, opened his business in 2011 under less-than-ideal economic times.
“He quickly became a symbol for the entrepreneurial spirit that will lead the city into the 21st century,” Diver said.
Saurber, a graduate of Badin High School and Miami University, began working for the City of Hamilton in the economic development division in 2011 as small business liaison, business district representative, and marketing coordinator, Dingeldein said.
“During his time in economic development, Brandon built meaningful relationships with Hamilton’s small business community,” he said. “He quickly proved his value as a conduit between businesses and the city administration through his passion and hard work.”
He became assistant to the city manager in May, 2012, working with developers and businesses to address issues in order to keep projects moving forward.
The “Play” category awards went to Frances Mennone, executive director of the Great Miami Rowing Center” and Jason and Tammy Snyder, who revived the Operation Pumpkin festival last fall, for making “efforts to improve the city through the arts, entertainment, recreation, events, or activities.”
“Over the last five years, she has steadfastly continued to find ways to bring preteens, teens and adults to the sport of rowing,” Diver said.
After thanking her husband for his support, Mennone thanked the river.
“It’s not our only asset in the community,” she said, “but it is why we are here, why the city was created, and it is one of our biggest and best assets.”
Dingeldein said that the Snyders moved to Hamilton as part of a job transfer and “quickly became part of the community.”
“They recognized that downtown Hamilton’s development was on the rise, making it Ohio’s second fastest growing city in 2012,” he said.
“We’re only here because of the people who helped us,” Jason Snyder said.
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