The time has again come when many of Durango’s top community members will receive honors for their contributions. The Durango Chamber of Commerce has released its list of finalists for the “Durango Rocks” annual awards.
The event will be held at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College on Jan. 23.
The three finalists for Citizen of the Year are Richard Ballantine, John Mahoney and Greg McClanahan.
Ballantine, former publisher of The Durango Herald and its parent company, Ballantine Communications Inc., made the list of finalists for his community accomplishments.
“He’s never won it. I don’t know how he’s gone so long without winning – he definitely deserves it,” Rita Simon, chamber manager, said.
Ballantine is being recognized for serving on the board of several organizations in Durango. He is a former president of the Fort Lewis College board of trustees and the Fort Lewis College Foundation. He served on the board of First National Bank of Durango for several years and has held several positions on the Colorado Press Association board.
Mahoney, former general manager of Coldwell Banker Heritage House Realtors in Durango, is also being honored in his retirement, Simon said.
His nomination most recognizes his contribution to several nonprofits and long-term work as radio announcer for the Fort Lewis College soccer teams, she said.
McClanahan, a Mercy Health Foundation board member, former vice president of the Durango High School Booster Club and author of the book The Law of the Yield, is the only nominee in this category who is not retired. He is best known for his work with the DHS athletic department and for selling mobile and modular homes in the Durango area for more than 20 years, Simon said.
Finalists for six other awards are:
Business of the Year: DoubleTree Hotel, Durango Joe’s and Ecosphere Environmental Services Inc.
Small Business of the Year: Allison Ragsdale Photography, Basin Printing & Imaging and Shaw Solar.
Nonprofit of the Year: Axis Health System, Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County and Volunteers of America.
Bill Mashaw Volunteer of the Year: Pat Barrett, Dr. Howard Nichols and Terry Swan.
Spirit of Durango: Durango Discovery Museum, Mountain Bike Specialists and Ska Brewing Co.
Entrepreneur of the Year: Mary Cardin, owner of Shining Star Caregivers; Chris Rezek, owner of Best Cleaning & Restoration; and Eric Sirois and Joe Storc, owners of Rent A Man.
Also to be presented are: Leadership La Plata “Barbara Conrad” Award, Young Professional of the Year Award, Diplomat of the Year Award and the Morley Ballantine Award.
Tickets can be purchased at Durango Chamber of Commerce offices in Santa Rita Park and at the Community Concert Hall box office at the Durango Welcome Center, 802 Main Ave.
Tickets are $30 and include the pre-awards reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. The award ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m.
vguthrie@durangoherald.com
