This may be somewhat overdue, and I know it will not come close to including all they are involved in and what they have done for Spencer, but I will give it a try anyway.

This nomination is actually for two of Spencer's finest and most deserving couple. Tom and Wendy Van Tassel are the most energetic and giving people I have ever come in contact with. They give more than their time to the community. Their caring and giving goes beyond something that can be measured in hours or minutes. They give their talents, their knowledge and their hearts.

Wendy, Tom and their children (Eric and Laura) moved to Spencer in 1997 from Michigan where they really enjoyed living. They became Co-Pastors at the First Congregational Church in Spencer. Sermons frequently included a Michigan reference, and it was obvious they knew it as home. But, they soon became Spencer people and got involved in many different projects. Working together every day and then going home and seeing that same face would stress most people, but these two seemed to thrive off one another. But the time they are apart is typically because they are both doing some type of community volunteer projects that required one to be one place and the other somewhere else. Besides being active in community projects they have also done an outstanding job as Pastors.

Here are just a few of the things they are involved in:

Wendy

* Chairs the Habitat for Humanity Chapter

* Past Chair of the Community Theater

* Acted, Director, Assistant Director, Musical Director

* Involved in Positively Spencer Youth

* Past Chair of Spencer Vocal Music Boosters

Tom

* Spencer Soccer -- Chair of Soccer Parents Group. Referee, Coach, # 1 Fan

* Hospice Spiritual Leader

* Upper Des Moines Board

* SAABI Member

These two give more time in a week than many do in a lifetime and should be recognized and honored by Spencer. What would we do without them? They are not alone and all the Spencer Community "Givers" deserve a pat on the back, because we would not be what we are without them.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Joe and Sue Skow

NOMINATION: Mackenzie Mosher

Hello, I would like to nominate Mackenzie Mosher, owner and instructor of J'aime Danse School of Dance for Citizen of the Year. I am a friend of hers and she is an outstanding example to be put in the eyes of our children, they all really look up to her and all that she does. All of the parents who take their children to her are impressed with all the extra time and effort she puts forth to help our kids. All that she does for them gives them an opportunity to build confidence, self-esteem, friendships and having an after-school activity for these children gives them something to do that will keep them out of trouble. It also gives them encouragement to believe in themselves when things aren't going the best for them. The things she is teaching them and the examples she is setting for them will follow them for their whole lives. She began this studio with no money to her name, she had just moved to the area and her passion for dance and teaching children exceeded her money problems. After the studio took off and all the kids and parents were so interested in her studio, thankfully, she decided to make it a full-time thing so these children could do what they enjoyed every day. She gets to know the children in the community on a personal level and I know many children have turned to her for advice and help in their personal lives. She took her dance students downtown to participate in the Grand Meander this winter and took many hours out of her personal and family time to teach these children extra routines and to spend time with them and care for them. I think she is a wonderful candidate for Citizen of the Year, she is a wonderful rolemodel for the kids and I am very impressed and pleased with all she does for our children in the community.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Bell

NOMINATION: Martin Arthur

We would like to submit the name of Martin Arthur for Spencer's Citizen of the year. We feel that Martin has enriched life in our city by selfless and creative involvement in many areas that enhance Spencer's cultural opportunities.

We will mention a few that are known by those of us presenting this nomination.

Martin has been active in the Spencer Community Concert Association for several years, and has served as Board President the last 3 years. He has brought many creative ideas to the series, such as adding extra free concerts, adding a yearly dinner concert, and arranging RTA bussing for those needing transportation. He has written and submitted a grant to fund bringing to Spencer a very special concert: The world renowned Vienna Boys Choir will be entertaining us next February. The concert series membership and attendance has grown significantly and Martin is working toward getting more younger people involved.

As a person truly inspired by music he has also added something unique and special and enjoyed by so many...his "House Concerts". Opening his home to both friends and strangers, all are invited to hear small musical groups in an intimate, lovely setting...and a chance to converse with the artists. He does this with no personal gain and even provides accommodations for the visiting artists.

Martin is tireless worker for Arts on Grand. He became an active board member shortly after arriving in Spencer, has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Board for 4 years, and served as Board President in 2006-2007. With him, this is not just a "position". He is always an enthusiastic and tireless worker!!...involved in every aspect of the Arts Council. He was the chairperson for the very successful 2007 Backyard Bach and Blues fundraiser, which was beautifully presented, and enjoyed by so many.

Martin is a member of the SPACE Committee, which has overseen the Main Street Market, and been instrumental in recruiting artists to live and work in our community. He also represents Spencer's art scene in the "corridor's" organization, ArtsLive.

Recently Martin stepped up to help start another grassroots organization. With the goal of saving the old Middle (High School) School Auditorium, Martin and "Friends of the Auditorium" have worked diligently over the past year to lobby school board members and the general public to support their efforts to spare the auditorium and classroom building from demolition.

They have perservered to create valuable reuse of the classroom building for affordable housing by bringing in community Housing Initiatives, and look now to the restoration of the auditorium. It is felt by many citizens, as well as visiting performers that the auditorium is truly a gem for a community of our size, with outstanding acoustics and historical Art Deco design.

In summary, Martin has a generosity of spirit that embodies the idea that the arts must be inclusive for all and can enrich all our lives. In that same respect he has recruited many new volunteers to arts organizations in town...expecting that we all have a responsibility to be involved and keep this momentum going in Spencer.

We think you could say that Martin Arthur has brought a breath of fresh air to Spencer, IA!

Signed:

Ann Holck

Lorraine Conly

Julie Vogel-Schmidt

Carole Lea Cotton

Mary Rahn

NOMINATION: Pat muller

We would like to nominate Pat Muller as Spencer's next Citizen of the Year.

When you meet Pat at the hospital, her church, or helping with the activities of the Cancer Society, you will be greeted with a contagious smile and a sincere "How can I help you"

We feel Pat posseses the volunteerism and leadership qualities that the "Citizen of the Year" is all about. Pat has been a co-owner of Ellerbrock's, a ladies ready to wear store that was here in Spencer; now retired she has made outstanding contributions as a business owner and now she gives to the Spencer community as a retired volunteer. She has provided leadership without expecting a pat on the back or any recognition what-so-ever.

You will find Pat at the hospital on Fridays working the waiting desk in the X-Ray department. She greets nervous, anxious, patients with care and concern helping to make their wait more comfortable. She is always genuine, reliable, honest, confidential, and a natural friend to those she comes in contact with. Pat earned her 1000 hour pin from the Hospital Auxiliary in 2005 and will soon make the 1500 hour mark of volunteering for the Hospital Auxiliary. She never tires of reaching out to help others in their time of need.

Pat has other talents that she shares with the American Cancer Society. She can be found helping with Relay for Life; getting contributions, helping with the food, writing out luminaries and setting them along the track, passing out information in the wellness tent, and walking all night the night of the Relay Event!

She helps with the distribution of the daffodils. She and other faithful folks spend hours making sure the lists are checked and correct so when the flowers come in the operation of getting them delivered to the right people and the vases of hope are given to the Cancer patients. Pat gives of her time freely and willingly for this special project too.

Pat is a mentor through her involvement in Spencer Business & Professional Women. This is an organization made up of women networking together to help other business women grow in their field of choice, and their community. She has served as an officer, and on several committees. She is quick to embrace a new member and help them get involved so that they may grow in the organization. Whenever you ask Pat for help you can count on her hand being extended to you.

Pat also is a faithful member of Grace Methodist Church and is part of the library team. She processes the books so they are ready to be checked out, keeps the books in order, and helps return them to their proper place. She also can be seen behind the scenes at funeral services helping to serve the food to families that have lost loved ones.

She is a willing, intentional volunteer who gives with all her heart to her community to make it a better place to live and work. This is the kind of person that makes Spencer the great place it is. It is wonderful to live in a place that you know when there is a need there will be people to help fill that need. Pat Muller is this kind of person and for these reasons we feel she should be honored for her hard work and dedication to our community by receiving the Spencer's Citizen of the Year Award" for 2008.

Thank you for your consideration!

Sincerely,

Kathy and Randall Anderson

NOMINATION: Randy Plagman

I wish to nominate Randy Plagman for this local honor and I have three reasons why.

First of all, he is educating the citizens of Spencer about what is possible with recycling. I like it that Randy is as personable as he is. I have had many conversations with him. It is exciting for me each time I talk with Randy because I learn something else about a topic that I too am passionate about. The word has obviously gotten out. Complete Recovery has many citizens that drop paper/recyclable products off regularly. What began as an unknown business in Spencer has blossomed into a fantastic success. Randy is making a difference with recycling and getting the job done.

Secondly, I would challenge anyone to go and visit Complete Recovery. I continue to be amazed each time I am there with the amount of material that is bailed and stacked. These bailed paper, plastic, and metal products come and go regularly. Semi-trucks are loaded and the material is transported to other companies that will then reuse it or to make new products. I know that Randy would be more than happy to show you around explaining what service he is providing for the city of Spencer.

Finally, Randy is looking out for the future of our environment. Do you ever wonder how many recyclable products are thrown away daily from your own household? If that cardboard, newspaper, magazines, junk mail, plastic containers, tin, aluminum, etc. was picked up by the city on Thursdays or Fridays and everyone was participating, think about how much less would be going to our landfill. Randy is making our community better with his business.

In summary, many wonder who is profiting. Who profits? The city of Spencer wins with a fine example of what recycling can be with the plan to make it even better. The environment wins with less materials going to the landfill. The many non-profitable organizations win with the money that has been raised for the help of their cause. Finally, we as a society win by following the model to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Randy Plagman is a fine example of what citizenship looks like in the city of Spencer. He is making a difference.

Christopher Gude

Spencer, Iowa

NOMINATION: Steve Armstrong

It is with pride that we nominate Coach Steve Armstrong for the 2008 Citizen of the Year. Coach Armstrong has volunteered his time to coach over 100 Spencer girls basketball players during our middle and high school years.

He takes us to numerous tournaments throughout Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska and Minnesota each year. He doesn't get paid for all the practice time and the weekend tournaments. He and his wife, Cindy, travel to all of these tournaments at their own expense and the most amazing thing is, they don't even have a daughter! Coach didn't start working with Spencer girls' basketball because he had a daughter involved like most Dads do. He wanted to help develop the SHS girls basketball program starting at an early age.

Yes, he coached the girls that made it to Des Moines for the State Tournament this year. Yes, you will find Coach Armstrong and his wife at the home and away JV and Varsity games still encouraging us girls that he coached since 6th grade. Yes, he is one of the reasons that Spencer girls can play competitively with 4A schools like Sioux City North because we played the North girls many times in the finals of the traveling team tournaments.

Coach Armstrong is extrememly generous with his time and knowledge of basketball. He is positive, encouraging and a role model to us. We feel Coach Steve Armstrong is very deserving of the 2008 Citizen of the Year Award...just ask any of the girls or their parents that he has worked with all these years.

NOMINATION:

Randy Krukow

I believe that Randy Krukow should be the Citizen of the Year. He has done so much in the last 8 years to clean up our county. He works with all kinds of organizations and gets along with most people. He would represent this area and would be a great choice for Citizen of the Year. He loves this community very much!

Sincerely

Chris Johnson