Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 24, 2016)
Polk County Living Polk County Itemizer-Observer • February 24, 2016 10A Outstanding Organization CALEB WALLACE / for Itemizer-Observer “It is a privilege for us,” said Ken Braun, one of the city of Dallas’ chaplains of the group’s work for the community. Ag Business CALEB WALLACE / for Itemizer-Observer Bob Brannigan, left, with his wife, Lori, after he was presented with Dallas’ 2016 First Citizen Award. Brannigan moved to Dallas in 2010 as West Valley Hospital’s administrator. He retired in 2015, but continues to serve. Celebrating Courage Community Awards on Friday showcase Dallas’ best and brightest By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — Bob Branni- gan hasn’t lived in Dallas long — since 2010 — but you would never know it reading through the list of his accomplishments. Brannigan, the recently retired West Valley Hospital administrator, was present- ed with the First Citizen Award at the 59th annual Dallas Community Awards on Friday. The award is “given to an individual with wide ranging exceptional community service during the year,” said award presenter Gene Hen- shaw. “If you look up the term ‘exceptional communi- ty service’ on Wikipedia, you would see Bob’s picture right next to it.” Henshaw said when Bran- nigan was named the hospi- tal’s administrator in early 2010, rural facilities like West Valley were struggling. “Facing that challenge, he not only kept West Valley Hospital viable, but initiated and supervised an expansion that included a state of the art surgical unit and imaging and technical department.” Those improvements at- tracted more health care providers to work in Dallas, Henshaw said. “His legacy is a health care community that we all rely on for the best of care,” he said. Brannigan retired in 2015, but he wasn’t done. He’s on the Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and chairman of the chamber’s finance committee. In addi- tion, Brannigan is on the Dallas Rotary Club board and serves on the Polk County Health Care Adviso- ry Board. Not finished yet, Brannigan belongs to the CALEB WALLACE / for Itemizer-Observer Daryll Combs, Daryll’s Nursery owner, said customers helped save his business during last summer’s drought. Courtesy of Dallas Chamber Ron Lines was given Life- time Achievement honors. CALEB WALLACE / for Itemizer-Observer Oregon State Credit Union Branch Manager Bonnie Beck accepts the “Business of the Year” award on Friday. The winners … Outstanding Organization — City of Dallas Chaplains Small Business — El Pique New Business — West Valley Taphouse Ag Business — Daryll's Nursery Business — Oregon State Credit Union President's Award — Dallas Economic Development Commission Lifetime Achievement — Ron Lines Good Samaritans — Jim Rodriguez & Colby Hamilton Excellence in Arts — John Beck Junior First Citizen — Jeremey Santee-Malloy. First Citizen — Bob Brannigan Dallas Economic Develop- ment Commission and served on the Dallas Resi- dential Street Taskforce. Brannigan said he was surprised to be singled out for the honor. “I’m extraordinarily hon- ored at having been select- ed,” he said. “I never thought that I would receive such an award when there Junior First Citizen are so many other men and women who give of their precious time and energy to the betterment of our com- munity. That’s what makes Dallas so special.” Brannigan asked that everyone try to serve in some manner, and to keep doing so even if they fail the first time. “Our world today has made our lives busy and very complex,” he said. “But now is when our nation needs dedicated, engaged individuals to volunteer to improve the communities in which they live.” Like Brannigan, Oregon State Credit Union, Dallas’ Business of the Year, didn’t take long to make its pres- ence known in Dallas. The credit union has been involved in the community since 2003, and a year later opened a branch in Dallas. Since then, the business has donated more than $50,000 to organizations and causes in Dallas and $277,000 in Polk County said award pre- senter Jeff Laeng. “ T h i s c re d i t u n i o n’s demonstrated their values in a myriad of ways, but espe- cially in education, commu- nity and the development of our youth,” he said. Laeng listed several or- ganizations Oregon State Credit Union has supported over the years, including Polk County Drug Court, Dallas High School all-night senior party, and Dallas Ro- tary Club. Beck said it is an honor for her and her employees to give back. “It’s been a pleasure to give both our time and our dollars and to work toward contributing to putting the unity in our Dallas commu- nity,” Beck said. Good Samaritans Small Business CALEB WALLACE / for Itemizer-Observer “Joe just wanted to make tacos,” said El Pique co-owner Selma Salcido about her husband’s dream business. Excellence in Arts CALEB WALLACE / for Itemizer-Observer John Beck, with presenter Ami Pope, was awarded Excel- lence in Arts Friday night during the Community Awards. New Business CALEB WALLACE / for Itemizer-Observer CALEB WALLACE/ for Itemizer-Observer CALEB WALLACE / for Itemizer-Observer Jeremey Santee-Malloy of Citizen’s Bank said he was “kind of speechless” about being named Junior First Citizen. Dallas police officers Jim Rodriguez, left, and Colby Hamil- ton were honored for saving Polk deputy Shon Latty. Suzanne and Sam Dufner, owners of West Valley Tap- house, were named “Best New Business” for 2016.
