Small Town News

Dr. Fountain is Citizen of Year

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Dr. Robert Fountain was named Monroe County's Citizen of the Year for 2009 at the Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet on Thursday.

The honor was announced at the conclusion of Thursday's banquet, held at Tift College.

Fountain is known for his years of support for the community and civic organizations through free medical services to the Special Olympics and the school system. He also has shared his musical talents for good causes for years, as a leader with the doctor's Scrub Team band that raises money for the Hospital Foundation and Relay for Life. He also plays for nursing homes.

As the nomination for Fountain read, "it would be difficult to find someone more dedicated and committed to Monroe County."

Fountain retired from medical practice a few years ago but remains involved in the community.

He thanked Forsyth and Monroe County for making his family feel so welcome here when they moved to the area, and for supporting him over the years. He said Forsyth is a great place to live and raise a family.

The Citizen of the Year award is sponsored each year by the chamber and the Monroe County Reporter. Past winners include Jim Buff, Jo Shipman and Jo Anna Banks. Thursday's banquet, held for the first time in decades at newly renvoated Tift College, enjoyed its best attendance in four years. Featured speaker Brian Owens, the commissioner of the Department of Corrections and a Forsyth resident, said he's very excited about the DOC's move to Tift College.

Owens drew big laughs when he recalled how hard Forsyth worked to win the DOC relocation over competing sites in Jackson and Macon. During one presentation then Mayor Jimmy Pace and Monroe County Bank president Bill Bazemore shared their vision for Tift College and the DOC. When they finished, Owens recalls asking Pace what kind offish were in the pond at Tift. "I don't know," said Pace, ever the smooth salesman, "what kind do you want?"

Owens also asked all Tift alumnae to stand and they were recognized.

The chamber named other winners for 2009 as well. They included:

Golden Nail Award for new construction or restored buildings that add value to Monroe County: The Pit Stop, owner Joey Pitman; O'Reilly's Auto Parts, manager Cliff Johnson; and Country Oaks Feed and Supply in Bolingbroke, manager Melissa Copelan;

Small Business of the Year - Little Angels, owner Sarah Eidson;

Chamber Volunteer of the Year-The Bill Bazemore Award- Chrissy Ham, Connie Ham ERA Middle Georgia Realty,

Chamber Ambassador of the Year - Jennifer Martin, Forsythia Queen;

Customer Service Award - Dairy Queen, owner Ronnie Daniel.

Also, Ronnie Kinnas was installed as new chairman of the chamber board. He takes over for outgoing chairman Tatrabian Charles



Copyright 2010 The Monroe County Reporter, Forsyth, Georgia. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 The Monroe County Reporter Forsyth, Georgia. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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