Auroraadvocate.com - Arbuckle, Heinen's honored by Chamber

by Ken Lahmers

Editor

Aurora -- For only the second year, the Chamber of Commerce awarded its citizen and business of the year during its holiday party.

Garnering the honors Dec. 5 at Barrington Golf Club were Don Arbuckle, as citizen of the year, and Heinen's, as business of the year. Accepting on behalf of the latter were Jeff Heinen, General Manager Paul O'Toole and Store Director Chris McCullough.

Chamber members reviewed accomplishments in 2008, and the 2009 board of directors was announced.

Arbuckle said he was "bewildered" that he got the citizen of the year award. He noted he, and others he works with in Aurora Community Theatre, Volunteers of America and Habitat for Humanity, don't think about getting recognized for what they do.

"We do it because we're proud of the city and want to make people happy," he explained. "I'll accept this honor for all those who don't want recognition for the things they do."

Arbuckle said he believes "volunteerism is alive and well in Aurora."

Arbuckle has lived in Aurora since 1968. He currently is chairman of the city's board of zoning appeals and was on the most recent charter review commission.

He appears on stage at ACT and builds sets behind the scenes, helps Habitat for Humanity, repairs items for the VOA retail store and has received the Service Above Self Award from the Rotary Club.

He has been an elder for the past 30 years and past moderator at the Church in Aurora, has sung in the choir and was MVP one year in the Aurora adult softball league.

Heinen's opened in '74

Heinen's Supermarket opened in the Aurora Commons in 1974 as the largest store in the chain, then moved to Barrington Town Square in 1995.

The current store was remodeled in 2007. The chain is headed by Tom and Jeff Heinen. The firm sponsored Aurora events such as the WineFest and Taste of Aurora.

The store donates many products to agencies that help the needy, and allows staging in its parking lot for the July 4 parade.

Heinen's has awarded thousands of dollars of scholarships to students. It employs more than 100 people and has annual sales exceeding $15 million.

Proclamations to Arbuckle and Heinen's were presented by Mayor Lynn McGill, state Rep.. Kathleen Chandler and Nick Ciofani of U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette's office.

Other awards, board

The city's tree commission gave the Arbor Day citizen of the year award to Anne Harris for her tree conservation efforts.

The following received beautification awards: Rotek in the industrial category, Aurora Farms Premium Outlets and the Aurora Medical Center in the commercial category and the Aurora Library in the public category.

The 2009 board will consist of the following Bethany Snyder, Lisa Kusner, Dave Thorn, Trudy Capel, Don Hubbard, Christa Mayes, Steve Schwartz, Holly Novotny, Aaron Baker, Diane Barben (ex-officio), Russ Bennett (school liaison) and Denny Kovach (city liaison).

Retiring board members this year are Dr. Anthony Badalamenti, Sue Tinlin and Doug Wieder. Tinkin presented Barben with the president's award.

Among highlights for 2008 were reaching the 200-member level, sponsoring the second annual WineFest which attracted 1,000 people, introduced a new Web site www.allaboutaurora.com, published the third Aurora Magazine and a community map, conducted the first Three-Chamber Business to Business Show and sponsored a "party on the patio."

E-mail: klahmers@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3155