Five individuals and one business were recognized Friday during the Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Awards Banquet and Dessert Auction. The award recipients were Nicole Howell (Emergency Services Person of the Year), Al Bruton (Volunteer of the Year), Teresa Scott (Woman of the Year), Murray Bruer (Man of the Year), Jonesburg State Bank (Business of the Year) and Jami Washburn (President’s Award). This year’s event was held at the Innsbrook Conference Center. Approximately 90 people attended. Lynda Chandler served as emcee for the evening. A dessert auction also was held with proceeds going to the Danny J. Martin/Dr. James Cale Memorial Scholarship. State Rep. Bart Korman served as auctioneer for the oral auction. A silent auction also was held. Emergency Services Person Of the Year Nicole Howell, a paramedic with the Warren County Ambulance District, was named “Emergency Services Person of the Year.” The award was given by Ralph Hellebusch, the district’s administrator. “She is a positive ambassador for the community and the ambulance district,” Hellebusch said, adding that Howell is an “aggressive employee who wants to learn and help people.” Howell graduated from the paramedic training program at St. Louis Community College in August 2009, and joined the Hermann Area Ambulance District in February 2010. She became a part-time member of the Warren County Ambulance District in July 2011, and a year later was upgraded to full-time status. Hellebusch said Howell was one of three individuals who were part of a pilot program the district established prior to that time to increase the district’s staffing in order to handle an anticipated rise in the number of alarms. Howell is the lead adviser of the ambulance district’s “Explorer” program, which allows area youth between 14 and 20 years of age to become involved and get acquainted with emergency services work. Additionally, Hellebusch said Howell has put in a substantial amount of time on a committee which is working to “put all of our medical protocols into a flowchart format.” Howell also is an American Health and Safety Institute (AHSI) instructor-trainer. Hellebusch explained that in that capacity, Howell not only is able to teach various AHSI emergency preparedness programs, but she also is certified to teach those who desire to become instructors themselves. Volunteer of the Year Al Bruton, commanding officer and finance officer at American Legion Post 122, Warrenton, was named volunteer of the year. Mary Raterman, who presented the award, described Bruton as a person who supports and enhances the community, in part, through his extensive involvement with the American Legion Post. According to Raterman, Bruton is responsible for “overseeing all the administrative functions of the Post. In addition to these duties, he organized fundraising dances two Sundays per month, calls bingo weekly and even fulfills the duties of maintenance man when necessary.” Raterman said she asked other members of the Post to describe Bruton’s service to the organization and “I heard the words, loyalty, dedication and commitment over and over. He does everything. We don’t know what we would do without him.” In addition to his volunteer work at the American Legion Post, Bruton also calls bingo at the Warren County Senior Center two days each week. “He does all of this on his own without asking for help or recognition,” Raterman remarked. Man of the Year Truesdale Alderman Shalene Blackwood presented the “Man of the Year” award to Murray Bruer, the city’s mayor. Among the accomplishments for which Bruer was recognized, Blackwood noted that the mayor was involved with helping Truesdale construct a new city hall facility, adding that the project was completed without a tax increase, a bond issue or loans. “Through the frugal efforts of past boards, we did not have to pay out of pocket,” Bruer said. Additionally, under Bruer’s leadership, the city became involved with the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council. The city also has begun to improve its infrastructure, such as widening some of the city’s streets, and more improvements are planned for the future, Bruer said. He added that the city’s police department was reorganized in an effort to “rebuild our reputation and get in good graces with the law enforcement community. “We’ve turned the city around, and the way people look at and think of Truesdale,” he continued. Bruer also helped the city become involved with the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council. Bruer currently serves as vice chairman of the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission. He also is a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Cardinal Gibbons Council 2341, of Holy Rosary Church. Woman of the Year “I have been thinking of some words that best describe Teresa,” said Jan Sutherland, who presented the award. “She is always ready for a challenge, considerate of others, adventurous, determined, persistent, dedicated, loyal, frugal, a team player, energetic, an avid traveler and she is always ready for a new experience. She puts on one hat after another throughout the day without missing a beat.” Scott works for Schraer Heating and Cooling as the company’s office manager. “Whenever Teresa becomes part of an organization, she is ethical, conscientious (and) dedicated,” Sutherland said. “She does not join an organization in name only, but participates, takes her job seriously and does it to the best of her ability.” Presently, Scott is president of the Warren County R-3 School Board. She also is a member of the Warrenton Planning and Zoning Board and is chairing the annual “Run for the Warriors” 5K run/walk, which benefits the Warren County R-3 Big Red Boosters. According to Sutherland, Scott is the “first and only” woman to serve on the St. John’s Lutheran Church Board of Trustees. Sutherland described Scott as “a loyal supporter of her community and the businesses in Warren County. When discussing where to buy any product, she will always check first for the availability in Warrenton.” Business of the Year The recipient of the 2012 “Business of the Year” award was Jonesburg State Bank. “When we consider the relative importance of our area businesses, it is tempting to think of the largest employers as the ones that have the most impact on the community,” remarked Scott Costello, who presented Jonesburg State Bank as the recipient of the “Business of the Year” award. “I have the opportunity to work with several of our local banks, and I truly appreciate what they do for our families and businesses,” Costello noted. “Jonesburg State Bank truly understands the importance of positive client relationships.” He added that the bank “carries out its mission to its customers as a team effort, and they work hard to understand your needs and your goals. They approach each client with responsive and thorough consideration of the situation so that the best solution can be found. The relationship leaves you feeling not only like a customer, but also like a partner. “The success of small businesses would not be possible without thriving, independent local institutions like Jonesburg State Bank,” Costello asserted. “They provide the fuel that drives the engine of commerce in our community.” President’s Award Jami Washburn received the President’s Award, which was given by Ruth Ebbinghaus, 2012 president of the Chamber’s board of directors. Ebbinghaus described Washburn as an individual who is “involved in many areas of the Chamber and community, offering to help where needed before being asked.” Washburn “rarely misses a meeting, ribbon cutting (or) after hours,” Ebbinghaus continued. She also noted that Washburn has “a contagious spirit ... so much so that you can’t help but want to be involved. “Anybody who can get a large group of people to jump in freezing, cold water in the middle of winter for a crazy event called the ‘Polar Bear Plunge’ gets my vote” for the President’s Award, Ebbinghaus added. Olearnick Recognized Jan Olearnick, the Chamber’s executive director, also received recognition from Ebbinghaus. “This person provides not only professional expertise, but selfless service to the Chamber, its board and committees and the Warrenton community,” Ebbinghaus said. “I’ve been involved in several committees that require a lot of details to be cared for and without our executive director, it simply wouldn’t happen.” The Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce office is at 117 W. Booneslick Road, Warrenton. Chamber meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Truesdale.