After the initial rush of candidates, the staff at the Willapa Herald selected from the submissions and also decided that the title was a little trite for what we wanted to do.
After much deliberation we have decided to re-create Citizen of the Week and offer our readers, "Spotlight on the Willapa."
We still would like your submissions and will explain at the end of our first Spotlight on the Willapa, featuring Kaley Hanson.
Spotlight on the Willapa
This week we start recognizing people in our community that deserve a little extra pat on the back, or to have a little spotlight thrown their way.
This weeks Spotlight on the Willapa features Kaley Hanson.
Hanson, a Raymond resident since the age of three, grew up in the community, attending and graduated as a Raymond Seagull with the class of 1996.
Hanson is married to Sami, and the couple have three children; Ayla age 7, Alder 4 and Arlo age 2.
Many know Hanson as the owner/operator of the Pitchwood Inn & Ale House, the business that he runs with his father. Even more are getting to know him as part of the Raymond City Council. For the past six months Hanson has been assisting the decision making process for the city, selected to replace the vacant position of Jason Dunsmoor.
"There were four of us and we all interviewed on the same day," said Hanson, "they made their decision right then and there."
Hanson is also an assistant coach for the Raymond Seagull football team working with the tight ends, the offensive line and helps with the defense as well.
"This will be my third season. I was with them when they went to the semi-finals last year."
And even with being involved in his own business, a city council member, a business sponsor for community events and coaching, Hanson is also involved with other community projects.
"I have been working with the annual festival for the past three years, more actively in the past two."
Hanson's work on both the Raymond Festival and the city council is helping bring new ideas to the area.
"People think differently now, we do not think the same way that we did just 20 years ago. With the Internet, people have access to all kinds of information."
Hanson is also involved in the Willapa Works group that is the umbrella organization to several community-focused projects, like the festival, and he also serves on the Raymond Theatre Board.
"I am here because I want to be here, not because I have to be here or that I failed in something else. I am here to be part of the community, to help make it thrive again and that is all I am doing really."
Do you know someone who is doing an outstanding job as a citizen in your community? Has someone impressed you with their efforts in giving back to the community?
If you would like to shed a little light on a citizen of the community cast your Spotlight on the Willapa to HYPERLINK "mailto:editor@flannerypubs.com" editor@flannerypubs.com, with the subject "Spotlight on the Willapa". Please submit your name along with the person you are selecting and a contact phone number for both of you. You may also contact us by phone at (360) 942-3466 x226.