Bohmer is Citizen of the Year

Monday, February 2, 2009
2008 Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Lynn Bohmer (right) accepts her award and a hug from incoming Chamber president Amy Doan.

As surprised as Lynn Bohmer was to learn she had been named Citizen of the Year by the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, she was even more surprised that her husband Dave had known for some time she would be honored and he never spilled the beans.

"I'm surprised my husband was able to keep this a secret," Bohmer said. "He has a big mouth."

Bohmer was recognized Saturday at the chamber's annual dinner, which was held at the DePauw University Tennis & Track Center. Incoming 2009 chamber President Amy Doan presented Bohmer with her award.

"The effect this one person has had on this community is phenomenal, and should be inspiring to all of us," Doan said.

Bohmer, who is a board member for the Humane Society of Putnam County and has also worked with the Putnam County Community Foundation, Mental Health America of Putnam County, United Way of Putnam County and many other local organizations, called the award "a true honor." She pointed out that without the efforts of many, the groups she supports would not be able to do the good works they do.

"This is a community where people are always willing to step forward," she said.

Director of the Year honors went to Bonnie Hanlon. Outgoing chamber President Matt Welker presented the award to Hanlon.

"I always knew it was just a matter of time until (Hanlon) got this award," Welker said. "She's at every event ... she never misses one. She was here early tonight helping set up."

Also at the event, 2008 Welker officially handed over the reins of leadership to Doan.

Welker said she accepted the office of president "with a great deal of humility."

"So many of you have been great mentors to me throughout my life," she said.

One of Doan's major focuses over the next year will be the continued development of an economic development commission, which she and incoming director John Parmley have already been working on.

The purpose of the committee, Doan said, will be to come up with ways to make Greencastle a "small business incubator."

"This is important to the continued excellence of our community," she said.

Doan said she looks forward to being a part of Greencastle's future growth and success.

"We don't have to be a big town to do big things and have big ideas," she said. "I don't think we have to be good enough. We can be great. Just because you want to stay and do great things in Greencastle doesn't mean you don't have dreams and aspirations."

"It's hard to believe it's been a year," Welker said. "It seems like I was just here making incoming remarks, and now I'm making outgoing remarks."

Outgoing Chamber president Matt Welker presents the Director of the Year award to Bonnie Hanlon.

Welker said he had three major goals going into his presidency -- launching a Community Clean-Up Day, improving the chamber's working relationship with DePauw University and getting new welcome signs up at the edges of Greencastle.

Two of the three came to fruition. The first Community Clean-Up Day was held in July after the Putnam County 4-H Fair Parade, and Welker and DePauw's new president, Brian Casey, had several meetings and discussed many ideas for joint projects between the city and the university.

The welcome signs, however, proved a more challenging goal.

"I know more about INDOT regulations now than I ever wanted to," Welker said.

The final design and funding for the signs have been obtained, and they wil be erected sometime in the near future.

"I'm confident in 2009 it will happen," Welker said.

Welker looks back with fondness at his year of service.

"Overall, I think it was a good year," he said. "It's been a life-enriching experience."

Welker pointed out that 340 people were at the chamber dinner, the second largest crowd in the event's history. Welker credited chamber executive director Tammy Amor with the success of the dinner and other chamber events.

"A turnout like this is not common or normal," he said. "It doesn't happen by accident."

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  • Congratulations. This family has done so much for Putnam County.

    -- Posted by mad-mom on Mon, Feb 2, 2009, at 8:08 AM
  • Mrs. Bohmer has been such an asset to the community since her return...she represents another intangible benefit of Greencastle's relationship with DePauw: a person who came to Greencastle as a student and returned as an adult with lots of experience to apply to help strengthen the community. Congratulations for jobs well done in such a quiet and effective way.

    -- Posted by larryt on Mon, Feb 2, 2009, at 4:40 PM
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