SIEVERS WINS FULENWIDER AWARD

Over the years, Don Sievers has contributed to Jackson by building a successful local business, helping build up the Chamber of Commerce and Jackson Industrial Development Commission and being active in the Jackson Optimist Club, St. Paul Lutheran Church and the Missouri National Guard.

For his continued contribution to Jackson, Sievers was named 2000 recipient of the R. A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award, at the annual Jackson Chamber of Commerce Installation Banquet Monday.

Founder and president of Associated Sheet Metal since 1975, Sievers has been a constant foce within the business and social life of the community. He has held numerous offices with the Jackson Optmist Club, as well as on a state and national level.

"Looking at the list of past recipients, I feel very, very honored," Sievers said. "These are big pairs of shoes to follow. I love Jackson. I've been here 59 years and have tried to be an ambassador for Jackson."

The Rev. Walter Keisker, who made his annual remarks at the banquet, recalled Sievers' service durign the Feb., 1979 blizard, which stranded numerous motorists on I-55.

Sievers was faced with stranded motorists from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois, all of whom hoped to find some secret short cut around the snow. Instead, Sievers, as National Guard commander, made arrangemnts for the stranded drivers to stay at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

In a new presentation, the chamber award its first Business of the Year award to Tractors Restaurant, owned by Steve and Teresa Blankenship. Manager Marshall Steen accepted the ward. Criteria for the Business of the Year inlcude bieng a member in good standing of the chamber, giving back to the community, promoting the community, maintaining good relations with employers, customers and the community, having high moral values and working well with the city.

Darrell Aufdenberg, outgoing chamber president, reflected on the past year.

"It was a learning experience," he said, "a year of firsts."

Among those "firsts" was the first full year with a chamber executive director (Ken Parrett) and executive assistant (Linda Wilson), the first full year of Business After Hours and the first year to present a Business of the Year Award. He praised Parrett and Wilson for each doing "a fabulous job."

"It's been a privelige being your president this year," he said. "Without all of your as chamber members, we couldn't accomplish any of this."

The oath was administered by Mayor Paul Sander to 2000-2000 officers. Val Tuschhoff is now president, Brad Elfrink vice president and Gina Bader secretary-treasurer. Directors are Howard Alexander, Paul Sander, Jennifer Caronna-Smith, Brent Wills, Larry Hall, Vickie Rinehart, Aufdenberg, Gene Penzel and Ken Phelps. Phelps represents the Merchants Assoication, whiel Penzel remains as Jackson Industrial Development Commission (JIDC) president.

Sievers is JIDC vice president, while John Thompson remains as secretary and Carl Talley as treasuerer. Audry Eldridge was 1999-2000 vice president. Aufdenberg remains on the Board of Directors, joined by Rick Sparks and Greg Nolan. Outoing directors were Sievers and Bob Grebing.

David Beasley will again lead the Jackson Industrial Development Authority (JIDA) board. He returns as president, while John M. Thompson remains as vice president and Steve Popp as secretary-treasurer. James Maevers, Larry Nowak and Chad Hartle remain on the board.