Officer, businesses recognized at WL Chamber dinner
Morgan Eckelberry, a member of the West Lafayette Police Department, was recognized as the Citizen of the Year at the annual West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce dinner for his heroic efforts on the night of the flood that hit West Lafayette. Mark Fortune | Beacon
WEST LAFAYETTE – One of the largest numbers of people ever attended the West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce annual dinner held at Schumaker Farms on Tuesday evening, Sept. 24. Everyone enjoyed a meal of Swiss steak, red potatoes, green beans, salad, rolls, beverage and desserts. Local officials, members of the chamber, West Lafayette Homecoming Court, friends and guests introduced themselves and gave a brief bio. The members of the court received special recognition and applause as they introduced themselves.
Jay and Sue Davis were recognized as a Business of the Year at the West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce dinner, which was held on Tuesday evening, Sept. 24 at Schumaker Farms. Mark Fortune | Beacon
Oren Griffith, President of the West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, said, “I love what I do and I love the people that I work with. We are so lucky to have the people here that we have.”
Tracy and Debbie Wyler were recognized as a Business of the Year at the West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce dinner, which was held on Tuesday evening, Sept. 24 at Schumaker Farms. Mark Fortune | Beacon
West Lafayette Mayor Steve Bordenkircher said, “It was unbelievable to see how this community came together to recover from the flood. It was amazing.” Bordenkircher also expressed his gratitude to all of the First Responders and those that came from neighboring communities – both in person and with funds to help – recover from the flood. The Mayor also reported on how plans are being worked on to avoid the type of damage that occurred during this year’s 100 year flood.
Griffith said, “This year there was one special person that stood out when we looked at the possibilities for our citizen of the year. He is a true hero.”
Morgan Eckelberry, who has been a member of the West Lafayette Police Department since 1996, was recognized as the Citizen of the Year in an emotional ceremony led by his son. Eckelberry ensured that people, pets and, when possible, possessions were safe on the evening of the flood that hit West Lafayette in June, working through the night in chest deep water. Eckelberry was joined by his family at the event.
Eckelberry said, “I am very humbled by the community to honor me this evening. I don’t feel that I am a hero. I did my job and I would do it again in a heartbeat because this community is a great place to be. I think about that evening and just wanting to get everyone out of their home safely. The property can be replaced, but like Oren (Griffith) said, ‘lives can’t.’ It will be a night that will stay fresh in my mind forever. To see how this community came together after the flood, it meant the world to me. I never thought we could come together that quickly and as tightly as we did, but we did. You don’t see that in everyday America. I appreciate this community.”
Eckelberry said that if he had to choose his career again, “I would be a police officer. Absolutely.”
Business of the Year Awards were also presented to two businesses in the village; Jay and Sue Davis of the Ridgewood General Store and Tracy and Debbie Wyler of the West Lafayette Dari-Hut and the Freeze in Coshocton. Each in turn thanked the community for supporting their business and said that they appreciated the people of West Lafayette and were proud to be on Main Street.
Griffith concluded the evening by giving an update on Chamber activities, with 10 new members joining the Chamber and talked about the 2020 Chamber of Commerce schedule, meetings and events.
Category: Business
