Jones named Rathdrum's Citizen of the Year
<p>Bob Jones presents a grant to Timberlake High teacher Melica Haarr from the Lakeland Education Foundation. Jones, a former Lakeland superintendent and Rathdrum mayor, was named Citizen of the Year by the Rathdrum Chamber of Commerce at its annual banquet and awards ceremony on Saturday night.</p>
RATHDRUM - Retirement hasn't stopped Bob Jones from being involved in the Rathdrum area.The former Lakeland school superintendent and Rathdrum mayor was named Citizen of the Year by the Rathdrum Chamber of Commerce during its annual banquet and awards ceremony at Bunkers at Twin Lakes Village on Saturday night.
"One of his most recent accomplishments near and dear to his heart was the formation of the Lakeland Education Foundation, which provides scholarship opportunities to local students as well as other educational initiatives," said Kevin Sharrai, the chamber's vice president.Jones led the publication of the chamber's resource guide and website redesign. He's a longtime member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and was instrumental in the church's expansion.
He was hired in 1971 as the Lakeland Junior High principal before becoming school superintendent in 1981. He retired in 2001, but has remained involved in the school district and is the current chairman of the Lakeland Education Foundation."He is a champion for the kids and the community," said Mary Ann Ranells, Lakeland's current superintendent.
Other award recipients included:* Business of the Year - Dashco, a convenience store and gas station on Highway 53 owned by Kevin Randles
• Professional of the Year - Police Chief Kevin Fuhr
• Volunteer of the Year - Marge Huddleston
Huddleston, who has lived in Rathdrum since 1983, has been the chamber's office manager for five years, is the Rathdrum Lion's Club's secretary, a parks and recreation commissioner and chairwoman of the Golden Spike Estates' activities committee."I love Rathdrum and mixing with people," Huddleston said. "I always like to volunteer and say, 'I'll do it.'"
Fuhr recently received the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training's executive certificate, the highest honor to be awarded to peace officers in the state.Fuhr was appointed Rathdrum's chief in February 2007.
He presently serves as vice president for the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association, the chairman of the North Idaho College Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, a member of the FBI National Academy Associates and as a Rotarian.Randles' Daschco was honored for excellent customer service, offering tasty treats, efforts to improve the aesthetics of Highway 53 and playing host to youth "walk around Rathdrum" tours.
Jones and Fuhr were unable to attend the ceremony and will be presented the awards at the chamber's lunch on Oct. 21.