Wanted: Person of the Year

Next month, the Valley Stream Herald will name its Person of the Year. I am asking you, members of the community, for help in deciding who this honor should go to for 2009.

Each of the Herald’s dozen publications names a Person (or People) of the Year in the last issue before the calendar turns over. We do our best to keep it a secret from the recipient, so they will be surprised when they see their name and photo on the front page of the Herald.

As a community newspaper, it is important to acknowledge the people who really go above and beyond to help their neighbors. Whether it is someone who gives their time to help others, or someone who just strives to make Valley Stream better as a whole, we seek to honor these extraordinary citizens.

Think of someone you know who gives to the community without seeking anything in return, someone who truly defines “selfless.” That is who we are looking for in our quest to find the 2009 Person of the Year.

Last year, the Valley Stream Herald honored Jim Buckley of the Historical Society. Buckley stepped down as chairman of the Historical Society’s board in 2008, ending a long run of leadership in the organization. He was recognized for the great care he took of Valley Stream’s local history house, the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration, and his efforts to educate others about the village’s rich history.

He was nominated by his successor to the post, Ed Fare. I know Buckley was surprised because he sent me a very nice hand-written note a few days after the paper came out calling it an “unexpected honor.” I still keep that letter in my desk.

This year’s honor will be announced in our Dec. 31 issue, just five weeks away. I am looking for nominations for the 2009 Person of the Year. We are a community newspaper and I want the community to have a say in who receives this honor.

Also in our last issue of the year, you will find a recap of the many stories that made headlines in Valley Stream in 2009, as well as some of our best pictures from the past 52 weeks.

Please send me your suggestions for the Valley Stream Herald’s 2009 Person of the Year. You can e-mail me at ahackmack@liherald.com or call me at (516) 569-4000 ext. 265. Tell me who the person is and why they are deserving of this honor. I hope to have many great candidates to choose from.