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Baker named ‘Citizen of the Year’

By Staff | Mar 18, 2009

MAN OF THE HOUR — William M. Baker was recently named the 2009 Middlebourne Citizen of the year by the Roadrunners Club. Presenting the award was Kermit Long.

William M. Baker has been named the 2009 Citizen of the Year in the Middlebourne Area by the Middlebourne RoadRunners Club.

Baker has served as President of the Tyler County Fair Association for the past three years. During his term as president, Baker has worked to move the water project at the fairground forward. Baker is currently working on improvements to the log building on the fairgrounds and is pursuing grants to build a new block building. Baker is also working to improve mowing at the fairgrounds and working to improve conditions for livestock exhibits and 4-H, youth and adult exhibits.

Baker is the president of the Tyler County Calf Pool, which he helped start. The calf pool offers area farmers a venue to sell calves. Baker has also worked with the local 4-H and FFA chapters. He does this by making his farm available for requested projects, assisting with fund raisers, and 4-H Camp repairs. Baker works with the FFA Ham and Bacon Show and livestock sales, as well as offering other assistance. Baker’s wife, Janet, is also active with both FFA and 4-H, serving as leader of the Little Mountaineers 4-H for many years.

Baker currently serves as a committee member of the Farm Service Association and as vice president of the Farm Bureau.

Clara Glover nominated Baker for the award. Glover has worked with Baker on the fair board and feels Baker is deserving of the award.

“Bill is the kind of person who works, often times behind the scenes, to make Tyler County a better place to live, work, and raise children,” said Glover. “Bill does not seek credit for what he does, but simply does what needs to be done. He is quick to thank others for their help with projects and seeks no personal gain or glory in return. I sincerely feel that Bill is a deserving Tyler Countian for the Citizen of the Year Award.

The Middlebourne RoadRunners presented Baker with a plaque and a free dinner at Lucy’s Restaurant in Middlebourne. Baker’s name will also be engraved on a plaque that honors all the recipients of the Citizen of the Year Award, which will be displayed at Champion Sports Cards and Trophies in Middlebourne.

Middlebourne RoadRunners Committee Chair Kermit Long said choosing Baker was an easy decision.

“He was put in for the award and the committee overwhelming voted for him,” said Long. “It was unanimous that he was an outstanding person this year. For years he has been outstanding.”

Previous awardees include: Walter Soles, 1994; Kathy Wells, 1995; J. Harold Cantwell, 1996; Ruth Knowlton Moore, 1997; Leonard F. Eddy, 1998; Gordon Nichols, 1999; Charles A. Crumrine, 2000; Robert Lowther, 2001; Edwin “Bud” Weigle, 2002; Angela Louise Sinclair, 2003; James E. Ash, 2004; Sam George, 2005; Betty R. Tustin, 2006; Henry P. Snider Sr., 2007; and Hilda Ann Wright, 2008.