The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Photo by Morris Stephenson:
Dr. Sam Campbell, winner of the annual Marshall Flora award, is flanked by Floras son and daughter, Marshall Flora Jr. and Ellen Flora King. |
Monday, December 14, 2009
By MORRIS STEPHENSON - Staff Writer
Dr. Sam Campbell was honored with the Marshall L. Flora Award during the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce's annual awards dinner Thursday night at Ferrum College.
Campbell, a retired educator and director of Helping Hands of Franklin County, was recognized for his outstanding and selfless service to the community.
The award honors the chamber's first director and was presented by Flora's children, Marshall Flora Jr. and Ellen Flora King.
"This is about as great a honor as you can have, having your name attached to Marshall Flora's," Campbell said.
SleepSafe Beds and Cable 12 were presented with the chamber's other top honors.
SleepSafe Beds in Callaway was voted Business of the Year. Gregg Weinschreider, president of the company, accepted the award.
The Small Business award went to Cable 12 television. Dick Shoemaker and Jamie Singleton accepted the award on behalf of owners Steve Oakes and Richard Shively, who were unable to attend.
The chamber presented three new awards this year.
The Free Clinic of Franklin County was named Non-Profit of the Year. Joyce McDonald accepted the award from Becky Grindstaff.
The Local Focus award was presented by Rol Walters to Becky Grindstaff, a chamber member who has gone "above and beyond" the call of duty in working with the organization.
Joey Cornwell presented the Customer Service award to McDonald's, with Kenny Waters and Amanda Rucker accepting on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Larry McCarty.
Sheriff Ewell Hunt presented the Franklin County Sheriff's Department Officer of the Yea" award to Deputy Sheriff David Kern, whose relentless investigation helped solve a murder and bring a fugitive to justice.
Rocky Mount Police Chief Erik Mollin presented the Officer of the Year award to Cpl. T.J. Robertson. He was credited with helping the save the life of Franklin County General District Court Judge George Jones, who was involved in an accident in town.
The chamber's Ambassador of the Year honor was presented to Rhonda Campbell of Goodwill Industries.
Carl Mitchell of Radford, president and CEO of Virginia Economic Bridge Inc., spoke on the new program "Return to Roots."
The program is designed to help young working people find jobs to enable them to return to their native county to live and work. The Franklin County chamber joined the region wide effort in January 2008.
Danny Reynolds, incoming chamber president, said he looked at 2010 as an opportunity to move forward with the chamber.
"We will engage and promote businesses in Franklin County. If you believe, it will come to be. We need your help and input. This is a great county, and I wouldn't live anywhere else. Let's not just try but let's make this a great year," he said.
Brent Jones served as master of ceremonies for the event, which attracted approximately 120 people. |
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