Nominees for the this year’s Westmont Citizen of the Year Award represent a variety of people — from software and Web developers to teachers, real estate agents and firefighters.
All of them have one thing in common. They all will be honored for their service to the community.
The village, along with the Westmont Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau, will hold the annual Westmont Community Awards Dinner next week to recognize residents and businesses for their dedication and service to the community.
The event will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. March 18 at the Oakbrook Hills Marriott Resort, 3500 Midwest Road.
The ceremony is sponsored by the Westmont Chamber, the Westmont Rotary Club and the village to recognize the individuals and businesses that help contribute to the growth and success of Westmont, said Westmont Chamber of Commerce president Lorraine Devericks.
Chamber Executive Director Larry Forssberg said the awards are presented annually to individuals and businesses that have excelled in community service, business promotion and civic responsibility or have improved the appearance of their properties or assisted the chamber with their time and talents.
The village’s Citizen of the Year Award, which will be presented by Mayor William Rahn, is given to a person who demonstrates exceptional community volunteerism during the past year.
Nominations are solicited from the community in January, and candidates are chosen by a committee from those nominations, Forssberg said.
Last year, resident Ron Gunter, who is executive director of the Westmont Park District, was presented with the award.
Nominee Linda Sobotka said she is honored to be nominated for the ward.
“I can’t believe that someone though this much about me to nominate me for this honor,” Sobotka said. “I love the Village of Westmont, and I consider the people here like family. I am so touched by this.”
A resident for 22 years, Sobotka is active in groups such as the Westmont Special Events Corp., the Westmont Emergency Management Agency, the Holy Trinity Catholic Church’s Council of Catholic Women and the People’s Resource Center.
Roger and Nancy Westman, who were nominated last year, have been recognized in the past by the chamber and the village for their volunteer service. Roger Westman is the former president of the chamber, and operates the Hinsdale Coldwell Banker Real Estate Office at 8 E. Hinsdale Ave.
“It is a very humbling experience to be nominated,” Roger Westman said. “We have lived in this town for 43 years since we have been married, and we have gotten back so much more than we have given.”
Roger Westman also is a former village trustee and a member of the planning commission, and currently serves on the village’s economic development committee and is vice president of the Oakwood Homeowners Association.
Roger Westman credits his wife with much of the success and said the two of them are a “team that supports each other.”
The other nominee, Burton Podczerwinski, is the owner of Be Free Studios of Westmont, a Web design and software company based at 36 N. Cass Ave.
Burton was out of town and could not be reached for comment.
“The volunteers nominated for this honor come from variety of backgrounds in our community and have consistently demonstrated great leadership and high levels of achievement in our community,” said Devericks.
Nominees for the 2010 Westmont Community Awards Dinner
• VILLAGE OF WESTMONT’S CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Burton Podczerwinski
Linda Sobotka
Roger and Nancy Westman
• EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Lori Dvorak, Holy Trinity Catholic School
Linda Houle, Westmont Junior High School
Grant Sahr, Westmont High School
Josh Vance, Westview Hills Middle School
• BUSINESS COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT AWARD
Burgess Square Healthcare & Rehab Centre
Edward Jones Investments
Guava Restaurant
My Green Attic
State Farm Insurance – Steve Georgopulus
Tap House Grill
Yoga Vidya
• PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Robert Sipek, Westmont Fire Department
Frank Trout, Westmont Fire Department
David Weiss, Westmont Fire Department
• THE DICK BUSSE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Aria Floral Studio
DJ’s Sports Bar & Grill
Kwik Kopy Business Center
Westmont Floral
Westmont Pharmacy
