There are watchers and there are doers. Then, there are some who are more than just doers, they contribute, often profoundly, year after year. Sometimes, these are people not widely known, and the Los Osos Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce wants to recognize them.
The Chamber’s Citizens of the Year Committee is looking for the so-called “heroes of Los Osos – Baywood.” And are now accepting nominations for the Citizen of the Year 2023. The deadline for nominations is December 16.
“The nominee,” the Chamber says, “should be a person who gives outstanding service and dedication to the community and who is involved in more than one community effort, such as education, politics, environment, service organizations, youth, seniors, churches, business, non-profits, conservation, etc. They must also live, work, or own a business in Los Osos/Baywood Park. Nominees do not have to be a Chamber of Commerce member.”
Last year’s award went to Paul Irving, who has lived in Los Osos for 30 years and is the prime mover for music events and festivals that bring people of all interests and ages together.
“His beautiful photographs of local scenery, that he publishes every day, motivate people to visit, stay, shop, eat, and play in Los Osos,” officials said.
The Chamber’s first Citizen of the Year was awarded to Tom Corr in 1978. Since then, 47 other “heroes” have been honored with this prestigious award, including: Sylvia Smith, Judy Tewell, Gary and Pandora Nash-Karner, Bob and Beth Crizer, George Kastner, John Lindsey, Cheri Grimm, Jim Stanfill, Bill Lee, Bob Semonsen, Linda and Jim Quesenberry, Marshall Ochylski and Albert Calizo, to name a few.
The Citizen of the Year Committee, made up of past Citizens of the Year will meet after the first of the year to review the nominations and decide the winner. The Citizen of the Year 2023 will be announced at the March Los Osos Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner.
Who do you know who is a deserving a hero?
Qualifications for nomination must include:
1. Outstanding service and proven community dedication to benefit Los Osos – Baywood over a sustained period of time.
2. Involvement in multiple community efforts to benefit Los Osos – Baywood over a period of time, such as: education, beautification, environment, service or organizations, youth, seniors, churches, business, non-profits, conservation, politics, community service, etc.
3. Lives, works, or owns a business in Los Osos/Baywood.
Email nomination for Citizen of the Year with the person’s name and why you think your nomination should with the heading “Citizen of the Year 2023” to cotylobp@gmail.com.
Information will be posted on Celebrate Los Osos Facebook page and on Nextdoor. https://www.facebook.com/CelebrateLosOsos/
