The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Who should be our 2018 Person of the Year?
It’s time to name The Middletown Press’ Person of the Year for 2018, and once again we want your nominations. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 8, so hurry up and nominate your person today.
The Person of the Year is someone who has had an impact, worked for change, or pursued a passion that has made a difference in the greater Middletown area.
At the end of December at middletownpress.com, and in the print newspaper, we’ll reveal our choice based on the people you have nominated.
The Middletown Press started to profile a Person of the Year in 2011. Our sister publication, the New Haven Register, has featured a Person of the Year since 2004.
Last year’s Middletown Press Person of the Year was Brian O’Rourke, owner of the iconic and nationally known O’Rourke’s Diner, for quietly helping people without asking for anything in return, volunteering his time and makiung a real difference in the community.
Our 2016 Person of the Year was Ron Krom, thenexecutive director of St. Vincent de Paul Middletown. He was selected for his immersion in the community and the selfless work he does to help the homeless and less fortunate.
Our 2015 Person of the Year was Willard McRae. McRae, who died in February 2016, was known as a champion of children and minorities, a community beacon and a humble philanthropist. He devoted his life to connecting people to the services and care they needed the most.
Our 2014 Person of the Year was John Geary, Woodrow Wilson Middle School teacher. Geary has mentored and taught countless middle-schoolers and made a long-standing impression on many. He also helped create a garden club at the school. However, when chosen for the award, Geary humbly asked that the focus be on the students, not what he has done.
Our 2013 Person of the Year was Ann McLaughlin, founder of the Yellow Ribbon welcome home campaign for soldiers in East Hampton. She was chosen because she has dedicated a lifetime of service to the community and touched many lives over the years.
Our 2012 Person of the Year was Marco Gaylord, director of fine arts and district operations for the Middletown Public Schools. We chose Gaylord out of all the nominations we received because his music has enriched countless people’s lives.
Our 2011 Person of the Year was Izzi Greenberg, then-executive director of the North End Action Team and a strong advocate for the North End of Middletown. We chose Greenberg because of her dedication to the city and accomplishments in improving the city’s North End.
The winner can come from any field: government, education, social services, the arts, sports or business. He or she doesn’t have to be the ONE person who changed the face of Greater Middletown in 2018.
We doubt there would be that one person, anyway. But it should be someone whose achievement made the area a richer place. Someone who stepped up when they were needed.
Make your nominations on our Facebook page or email editor@middletownpress.com with Person of the Year in the subject line. Nominations should include the reason the person should be considered for the designation.