Archibald named Citizen of Year

At a gala cruise-themed event on January 22 attended by 209 chamber members, invited guests and dignitaries, the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce selected George Archibald as its Citizen of the Year. The awards ceremony took place during the chamber’s 60th Annual Recognition and Installation of Officers banquet at Pala Mesa Resort.

Selection of Citizen of the Year is based on the time, resources and energy contributed toward the betterment of Fallbrook and may reflect the individual’s efforts over a span of years. Such is the case with Archibald, who has been the chair of the Avocado Festival for eight of its 17 years. He and Carol Eastman, now event coordinator for the chamber, reestablished the event in 1987 after a hiatus of 20 years. In 1986 he served on the board of directors for the Fallbrook Players, is a Rotarian and was their president in 1992. He is also a former chamber board member, served as its president in 1996 and has volunteered for the Christmas Parade for 19 years. “I’m honored by this award, Archibald said. “I don’t volunteer for the recognition but because I enjoy working for the community; I love Fallbrook.”

A Fallbrook resident since 1985, Archibald, who first owned Manor Cleaners on Mission, recalls with awe attending his first chamber recognition dinner and sitting at the table with Jackie Heyneman, the 1986 Citizen of the Year. “Being in the company of past recipients like her is the real honor,” he said. Citizen of the Year recipients in the last decade include Sam Logan, Jack Boline, Ralph Steinhoff, John Crouch, Bill Ross, Wil Gower, Jim Russell, Robert Ingold, Bill Reinstra and Opal Langberg.

In addition to Citizen of the Year the chamber recognizes the accomplishments of other outstanding individuals and organizations for Excellence in Large Business, Excellence in Small Business, and Lifetime Achievement. Some years an honor entitled the Ingold Community Builder is awarded. Nominees for these categories are solicited from the chamber membership and from the public. A distinguished committee of community leaders make the final selections.

This year’s Excellence in Large Business award was presented to Temecula Valley Bank. To qualify for this award, a business must employ more than 20 full-time people. Former award winners are Durling Nursery, Morgan Stanley, Coldwell Banker Landmark, Del Rey Avocado, East Brothers, Fallbrook Refuse, the Grand Tradition and Community National Bank.

Accepting the award for Temecula Valley Bank was its vice president, Jeff Minch, who quipped, “This provides me another year of job security.” Minch has been an active chamber volunteer since he joined the bank and now serves as 2005 treasurer of the chamber.

The Excellence in Small Business honor was bestowed upon the Fallbrook Directory and its owner, Charles Mackey. The Fallbrook Directory has been a distinctly Fallbrook institution since 1956. “This is an exciting honor,” said Mackey, whose family has been in Fallbrook for 50 years.

Small business candidates must employ less than 20 people. Past recipients of this award are Bigley Electric, Discount Appliance, A Few Of Our Favorite Things, Fallbrook Wellness Spa, Maddock Nursery, Fallbrook Equipment Rental, Fallbrook Country Inn and La Caseta Restaurant. Arlyne Ingold presented The Ingold Community Builder award to Sirina Waddell, who epitomizes the selfless qualifications of an individual working tirelessly toward the betterment of Fallbrook. Waddell is a former Honorary Mayor, business owner, and fundraiser for various events benefiting Fallbrook charities and others. In 2004 she assisted in a Christmas meal for the needy, was a Lupus Walk co-organizer, and chaired the Taste of Fallbrook Hot Summer Nights. She is a member of the Fallbrook Village Rotary, Soroptimist International, Chamber of Commerce and Thai Business Council. Candidates for this award may be a non-profit organization, district, could, family or individual.

After thanking the chamber for the award, Waddell, who is moving to Illinois soon, told the crowd she’s already warned her husband she’s not breaking her ties with Fallbrook. “If there’s a party going on I want to be there, she said.

The prestigious Lifetime Achievement award is presented to an individual whose time, energy and resources span a number of years. This year’s winner, Rufus Bowers, is such a man. During his distinguished 33-year Marine career Bowers became one of Fallbrook’s dedicated champions. Bowers came to Fallbrook in 1972, co-founded the Pop Warner football program and was twice president of the Fallbrook High School PTA. He also co-founded the Fallbrook Community Project and was chairman of the Fallbrook Community Clinic. An active VFW member, Bowers established the Bread for Veterans Program, Flags Over Fallbrook and the 9/11, Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day celebrations. Since 1996 Bowers has volunteered over 2,000 hours as a San Diego Sheriff’s Senior Patrol member and in 2000 he was the chamber’s Honorary Mayor.

Upon receipt of the honor, Bowers, who is never at a loss for words, humbly suggested, “If a man ever does anything good, it’s because a good woman pushed him off the couch,” then suggested to anyone seeing a need that should be filled to ask themselves this question, “If not me, who?” The Bowers family now intends to split their time between Fallbrook and a second home in Tennessee.

Two non-chamber awards are traditionally presented during this event. Mary Perhacs, representing the Art Center and Village Association, presented the Artist of the Year award to watercolor painter Mary Tomaskevitch. A long-time advocate of the arts in Fallbrook, Tomaskevitch in 1979 co-founded the Brandon Gallery. Phil Delaney, president of the Legacy Endowment Community Foundation, honored Bob and Ron Hegardt for their community service, specifically the Fallbrook Sports Park.

On hand to recognize the service of outgoing chamber President Wes Peet were State Senator Bill Morrow, State Assemblyman Ray Haynes and San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn.

Chamber members Pardee Homes and Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac were also recognized for their sponsorship of the evening event and other contributions throughout 2004.

At the conclusion of the evening, Supervisor Bill Horn swore in the new chamber officers and board of directors for 2005. They are Stan Neiman, president; Wes Peet, past-president; Budd Sutliff, president-elect; John Harris, secretary; Jeff Minch treasurer. New board members taking office are Colleen Aichle, Christine Brow, Jeff Minch, Mary Perhacs and Muhammad Rahman. Continuing board members are Michael Cartwright, Greg Ensminger, Victor Gonzales, Jennifer Green, George McManigle, Ineke Michels, Julie Reeder and Ron Wylie. Outgoing directors Manny Gratz, Margie Hopkins, Don McDougal and Michael Murray were recognized for their service during the past three years.