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Honorary Mayor Named

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By LOIS KINDLE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 2, 2008

APOLLO BEACH - Groovin' to the sounds of Kenny K, more than 200 members of the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce wined, dined and honored their own Jan. 25.

The crowd gathered to celebrate the start of the chamber's 80th year at its annual membership banquet and silent auction at the South Shore Falls Clubhouse in Apollo Beach.

The master of ceremonies was John Smith of H&R Block, and the event included the naming of the organization's 2007 award winners and Ruskin's new honorary mayor.

"This is our 80th anniversary," said Melanie Morrison, who had just completed her first year as the chamber's executive director. "We're very proud of having served the business community since Jan. 25, 1928."

"This year has been amazing," she said. "All of you have supported me with open arms. I can't tell you how happy I am to be in this role."

Following the award presentations, outgoing honorary mayor Dan Hartzog named Kenneth Kuchar-Haas as the winner of the 2007 honorary mayor's race.

As the winner, Kuchar-Haas raised $8,376, almost half of the $17,631 raised by all five candidates - Mary Ann Wilhelm, Anne Madden, Ron Simpson and Fred Jacobsen. Half of the proceeds go to the chamber and half go to charities designated by the candidates. Those included The Dream Factory; the American Business Woman's Association's South Shore Charter Chapter Education Fund; Deputy's Darlins; the Ruskin Community Development Foundation; the SouthShore Arts Council; and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

To cap the evening, Pat Warbritton of Century 21 Beggins Enterprises was welcomed as the 2008 chamber president by outgoing president Tony Zipperer.

The Tampa Tribune was a sponsor of the event.

2007 AWARD WINNERS

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR: Ron Simpson of Weichert, Realtors SouthShore
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: John Smith of H&R Block

E.G. SIMMONS AWARD for community service: Beth Howard of the South Shore Gallery

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR: Susan Hubbard of SouthShore Community Bank

OFFICIAL GREETER: Donna Allmond of Ruskin

DYNAMIC DUOS: Kenneth Kuchar-Haas and Toni Huggins of Acupuncture & Wellness Clinic of Ruskin; Larry and Vicki Bruni of Prudential Robertson Realty

HONORARY MAYOR: Kenneth Kuchar-Haas

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com. See more photos from the event at south shore.tbo.com.

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