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Chamber Names Honorary Mayor

Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH

Richard Crannell accepts the key to Apollo Beach from Johanna Pol as he's awarded honorary mayor of the community at the 23rd Annual Apollo Beach Installation of Officers & Awards Banquet.

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By LOIS KINDLE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 2, 2008

SUN CITY CENTER - SUN CITY CENTER - About 75 people waited patiently at Club Renaissance recently to learn who won the three-month race for honorary mayor of Apollo Beach.

Before they did, though, a bit of business was in order. A new president and board had to be installed and three awards given during the 23rd annual Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce Installation of Officers & Awards Banquet.

Outgoing President Don Pearson welcomed the crowd and gave his final speech before handing the reins over to Meg LaLonde.

Pearson called the past year "tough and difficult," one in which the chamber lost members as a number of small businesses succumbed to the slowing economy. Through the board's pro-activity and hard work, however, membership was up 5 percent year-to-date, he said.

Pearson also presented appreciation awards to outgoing board members James Adcock and Kevin Conlan, who reached their six-year term limits.

"In a few weeks, the board will retreat to find new and innovative ways to add member benefits, ways to add new members and ways to serve the community," LaLonde said in her first speech as chamber president.

She said the chamber would also collaborate and cooperate with other area chambers, while celebrating its individuality and community pride. She mentioned Apollo Beach's upcoming 50th anniversary and Ruskin's 100th.

Handing out the awards, Executive Director Joanne Gadek first called the names of Nick and Dolores Gagliardi as the recipients of the 2008 Ambassador of the Year Award. The two have been members of the chamber since 1992.

"I can't even think of any event the chamber ever had, except when they were out of town, that the two of them missed," Gadek said. "We've made them honorary members for all their service."

Next, she announced Grace Whitmyer as the winner of the 2008 Bill Gramigna Community Volunteer of the Year Award.

And the 2008 Business Person of the Year Award went to Christie Granowicz of Circles at Lands End Marina.

For some in the audience, the highlight of the evening was the final announcement - the naming of the honorary mayor.

In April, five candidates threw their hats in the race - Richard Crannell, Vickie Carver-Tawney, Lynne Conlan, Kathie Aaron and Joel Brandenburg. Aaron and Conlan dropped out within weeks of the kickoff.

After a flurry of fundraising events, the candidates raised almost $21,000, which will be spilt between the chamber and the candidates' charities of choice.

And the candidate who earned the most points and money was Crannell, who is a real estate agent. He earned 25,677 points and raised $11,000.

In past years, the winner was the person collecting the most money. But for the first time, this year's race also involved a sliding scale of points for early submission of the money.

"The candidates worked hard, did exceptionally well and were very creative on how they raised funds this year," Gadek said.

"We very much appreciate their time and efforts," LaLonde added. "This was another very successful honorary mayor's campaign."

In his acceptance speech, Crannell threw out a challenge to chamber members to clean up Beer Can Island.

2008 APOLLO BEACH CHAMBER BOARD

PRESIDENT: Meg LaLonde

VICE PRESIDENT: Jody Whitmyer

TREASURER: James Martin

SECRETARY: Bonnie Denney

DIRECTORS: Peggy Boris, Isabel Darcy, Terry Faulds, Gracie Guinto, Mike Hook, Ron Kobosky, Robert Newhart, John Wilson, Judy Woodrum, Don Pearson

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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