HOISINGTON — Superintendent of USD 431 Bill Lowry was named “Citizen of the Year” at the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce annual banquet last weekend. In addition, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt spoke.
“It’s our sixth year in a row presenting the Hoisington Citizen of the Year,” said John Settle, publisher. “Congratulations to Bill on having such a great school system.”
“I’m very honored,” said Lowry. “Look at the list of past winners. There is such tremendous talent in Hoisington. I consider myself just a citizen.”
He went on to say he was blessed to have a lot of role models. Included in those were Lee Van Scyoc, Dick Stanley and his former Fort Hays State University coach, Alex Francis.
He encouraged all of the volunteers. “It takes everyone to make a team,” said Lowry. He also said that Hoisington has been a great place for his family.
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt talked about some of the issue facing his office.
One of those issues is that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, a division of his office, has a crime lab in Topeka in the basement of a building from 1938. With increasing need for digital analysis, the lab needs to be updated and brought into the 21st century, he said.
In addition, Schmidt is pursuing getting the necessary degrees offered for students for the lab offered at area colleges and universities.
Past President Gene Mooney opened the evening describing the successes of the year. Fourteen new businesses joined the chamber and two fundraisers were held, as well as other successful ventures.
“We want to support and continue economic development,” he said. “Many people want to see Hoisington prosper and develop.”
Mooney thanked the volunteers and Executive Vice President  Stacey Bressler for all of their hard work. He ended his speech with an encouragement to “shop local.”
     Pat Horton named the Ambassador Club Community Awards. They were: Daniel Schmidt-Education Award; Kindscher’s Mule Barn-Business Award; Ronald Stricker-Community Service Award; Clara Barton Hospital-Health Award; Donna Donovan-Outstanding Citizen Service; Focus Group-Outstanding Service; Susan Lowry-Outstanding Service; and Christ Nachtman-Youth Activities Award.