MIKE MARTIN CHOSEN AS 2001 SHEPHERD "CITIZEN OF THE YEAR"

Mike Martin of 205 W. Orchard Street in Shepherd has been selected by the Shepherd Lions Club for the 2001 Shepherd Citizen of the Year award. Mr. Martin is a long time volunteer fireman, Sugarbush worker, and Special Education Olympics volunteer. According to Shepherd Lions Club President David Sprague, Mike has been active in numerous other service projects that include the Isabella County Red Cross, Safety Patrol Rally Days, Little League activities, and the Shepherd Lions Club. He is presently a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician in the Shepherd Fire Department.

At the present time he is the Safety Coordinator for John E. Green, Inc. a firm that is involved with the engineering and installation of mechanical and fire prevention equipment throughout Michigan and the midwestem states, For a number of years Mike was involved in occupational safety and health education for different petroleum corporations. He started his career a teacher in the Benton Harbor Schools in 1970. He came to Mt. Pleasant in 1973 to establish a continuing education program for bus drivers at Central Michigan University, his alma mater. He served as an interim assistant principal at Mt. Pleasant West Intermediate School and also coached junior varsity golf at Mt. Pleasant High School.

Mr. Martin is married to Karen who is employed at Central Michigan University and she has gained recognition for research on the history and construction of sheets. They have two daughters: Mickey, who is currently working on a PhD in Percussion at the University of Texas; and Joy, who is working on a Master of Arts degree at Cambridge University in England. W. Martin was born in McCleansboro, lllinois and he has one sister, his mother is alive and lining in Mt. Pleasant.

Every year since 1975, the Shepherd Lions Club has recognized local residents who have given outstanding service in the Shepherd Community. Committee Chairman Chuck Jaquith stated: "Mike Martin has provided service not only in Shepherd, but throughout the entire midwest. His dedication to service to others exemplifies all of the characteristics for which this award was established." Jaquith said that the Lions will present the commendation to Mr. Martin at a banquet attended by all living previous award winners on Tuesday, November 6 at the Shepherd United Methodist Church. Mr. Martin will also be riding in a convertible during the Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival parade.

Chuck Jaquith 989 - 828-6582

Since 1973, the Shepherd Lions Club of Shepherd, Michigan has honored local residents who have provided outstanding service to the community, The recipients of the award are honored at a banquet, presented with a plaque, and have their names permanently engraved on a memorial plaque. In addition, the award winners ride in a convertible in the Maple Syrup Festival parade held every year in April.

According to King Lion Dave Sprague, the Club gains prestige as an authority on identifying service in the community, and at the same times encourages the ideals of service that are an inherent part of Lionism. Selection of award winners is the responsibility of a committee of long time Lions whose task is to revue the names of nominees that have come in from the community.

The outstanding Citizen of the Year for 2001 is Michael Martin. Mike has worked in the Special Education Olympics, is a volunteer fireman, works on the Maple Syrup Festival, is a trainer for the Red Cross, and is a past President of the Shepherd Lions Club. He is married and the father of two daughters. Like most recipients of this award, Mike feels that there are others who are more deserving than he is.

Over the years both men and women and Lions and non-Lions have received this recognition. Of real interest, award winners tend to work harder and longer after receiving the recognition than they did before. It is evident that the selection process has worked well in Shepherd.

Chuck Jaquith 

Shepherd Lions Club