< Previous20 | The Daily News | Citizen of the Year | 2020 In what ways are you involved with the community? I’m an active volunteer in 10 service organizations and take care of my elderly mother. What do you like most about serving the community? I find joy in helping others, and there are many friendships I’ve made. What motivates you to get involved in your community? My motivation is the opportunity to learn, and the joy of working with others who have the same interests. What does it mean to be named a finalist for Citizen of the Year? I am grateful to be nominated. Why do you think it’s important to give back to the community? Texas City is my home. I enjoy “fixing up” my home. If you could go back in time and do one thing over, what would that be? I would complete my doctorate in pharmacology and toxicology. What’s something that most people don’t know about you? Between my junior and senior year in high school, I audited a course at Texas A&M University at Galveston to learn the names (and identify) all the fish species in Galveston Bay. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever heard? No matter what decision you make, there will always be someone who doesn’t like it, but make the decision using your best judgment and move on. In what ways are you involved with the community? I serve as mayor of Santa Fe. I serve on the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. I serve on the Executive Board of the Santa Fe Education Foundation. I am vice chair of the Dickinson Watershed Committee, and I am Rotarian with the Mainland Rotary Club. Also, I am the interact director at Santa Fe High School and RYLA coordinator for the Mainland Rotary Club. What do you like most about serving the community? I love it all. It’s my home town. As mayor, I feel like I am truly making a difference. My passion is working with the youth; they are 25 percent of the population but 100 percent of our future. What motivates you to get involved in your community? The people. Working side by side with all the entities is very satisfying. Being self employed for more than 20 years, I have enjoyed serving countless hours on virtually every charity, committee and board that exists. What does it mean to be named a finalist for Citizen of the Year? To me, it is something special. Coming from my background of being poor with a father who left at an early age, I never imagined even being considered for something this special. Just being considered for this award is already a win. Why do you think it’s important to give back to the community? I believe you get out what you put in. So, I want to serve my community to the fullest. Maybe, just maybe, a few of the youth will look up to me and take my place and serve when they get older. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever heard? Don’t think of a problem as being a problem. Think of it as an opportunity to find a solution. JASON TABOR CITY OF RESIDENCE » Santa Fe OCCUPATION » Mayor, Santa Fe/self employed 2020 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS MARILEE STRIPLING CITY OF RESIDENCE » Texas City OCCUPATION » Retired, environmental manager 2020 | Citizen of the Year | The Daily News | 21 In what ways are you involved with the community? I’m involved with the community in a few ways, from mentoring people with drug addictions in the streets, to teaching skills in the fishing community locally. I actively participate environmentally, from the shores all around Galveston island to Freeport. What do you like most about serving the community? I enjoy giving back what I have learned or experienced from my challenges and mistakes. It’s rewarding to help people who are struggling mentally or physically. I love to help people. I love to organize cleanups that bring a lot of people together. We build a network that connects the dots to help other organizations that help Galveston’s beauty and water, including all the wildlife. What motivates you to get involved in your community? What motivates me to get involved in the community is when I see something that needs to be addressed that no one is doing anything about, I take the helm and make it happen. I have a lot of resources, including great business owners that are willing to participate. This motivates me because I really care. What does it mean to be named a finalist for Citizen of the Year? Being selected as Citizen of the Year would mean that I have been recognized by the people who have seen the grueling hard work it takes to do what people like me do. To be voted would be an honor. I never expected anything for what I do. I simply love Galveston! What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever heard? If you are not building your dreams, then you are building somebody else’s. In what ways are you involved with the community? I currently serve as president of the NAACP Dickinson-Bay Area Unit No. 6280. I am director of ministries with New Vision Church. I have been a pastor’s wife for 25 years. I am the La Marque Middle School Cougar Doll Dance Team Coach. I served as a member of the Long Term Recovery Group after Hurricane Harvey. I am a community activist and have served on the Keep La Marque Beautiful City Commission as a commissioner the last 43 years. I served as a member of the La Marque High School Football Booster Club and a school parent volunteer. I am the author of the Christian fiction novel “Confessions of a Preacher’s Wife” in which I present workshops and seminars that speak to the value of the church and an effective prayer life. I am also a teacher/trainer in the classroom and on business. What do you like most about serving the community? I love people. I love changing lives for the better. I love engaging, impacting and building relationships with people. I enjoy meeting new people and welcoming people to Galveston County. We are the jewel of the South. I am passionate about youth. I enjoy helping my community to invest in businesses and groups that help our citizens to grow intellectually and create positive change. A servant leader seeks to serve others by creating a cycle where everyone encourages each other to reach their full potential. Our community is our legacy. What’s something that most people don’t know about you? I was Donnie and Marie Osmond’s No. 1 fan when I was 8 years old. I could sing all of their songs. I even had their dolls and posters in my room. KIMBERLEY YANCY CITY OF RESIDENCE » La Marque OCCUPATION » Educator/entrepreneur 2020 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS BILLY RAY WAGNER CITY OF RESIDENCE » League City OCCUPATION » CEO/co-founder, Saltwater Soul/ fence contractorCongratulations to this year’s Citizen of the Year, as well as to all the worthy finalists. Together, your lives of service to others sets the example for us all and helps to strengthen our communities immeasurably. – ROALD DAHL SOMEWHERE INSIDE ALL OF US IS THE POWER TO CHANGE THE WORLD . 22 | The Daily News | Citizen of the Year | 2020 PAST CITIZEN OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS 2019 – Chuck and Mary Ellen Doyle (banker, philanthropist) 2018 – Mayor Pat Hallisey (League City) 2017 – Mike Dean (Galveston business owner) 2016 – Steve Mataro (DSW Homes) 2015 – Sam Collins III (businessman and Juneteenth 150th organizer) 2014 – George Mitchell (businessman, philanthropist) 2013 – Dick and Horacene Daugird (Lighthouse Charity Team) 2012 – Tilman Fertitta (Landry’s Inc.) 2011 – Larry Taylor (state senator) 2010 – Mayor Matt Doyle (Texas City) 2009 – Craig Eiland (state representative) 2008 – Dr. Ben Raimer (University of Texas Medical Branch) 2007 – Marine Gunnery Sgt. Phillip A. Jordan, Army Pfc. Ray Joseph Hutchison, Marine Cpl. Wesley J. Canning, Army Spc. Barry Meza, Army Pfc. Nathaniel Given and Army Pfc. Travis Buford (six area soldiers killed while serving in the war in Iraq) 2006 – Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas (Galveston) 2005 – Kyle Janek (state senator) 2004 – Craig Eiland (state representative) 2003 – Sharon Strain (Galveston Housing Authority) 2002 – Patricia Gray (state representative) 2001 – Tilman Fertitta (Landry’s Inc.) 2000 – Robert L. Moody (American National Insurance Co., Moody Foundation) 1999 – Marc Cuenod (Sealy and Smith Foundation) 1998 – Walter Hall (Citizens State Bank, League City Bank and Trust) 1997 – Alfreda Houston (St. Vincent’s Episcopal House, Galveston Housing Authority) 1996 – Jim Yarbrough (Galveston County judge) 1995 – Betty Massey (Galveston Historical Foundation) 1994 – Charles “Chuck” Doyle (Texas City mayor) 1993 – Dr. Thomas James (University of Texas Medical Branch) 1992 – Mike Martin (state representative) 1991 – Jimmy Hayley (Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce) 1990 – Tom Mackey (Key Metals and Minerals Engineering Corp.) 1989 – George Mitchell (businessman, philanthropist) 1988 – Fletcher Harris (retired businessman, World War II veteran)AND THE WINNER IS ... 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