A Tip Of The Hat: Affton to honor top citizen, businessperson, community improvements for 2007
From The South County Times Online Edition, Friday, January 25,2008Gene Haessig (left), manager of the Affton Christian Food Pantry, with Gene Murphy, Affton's "Citizen of the Year" for 2007. photo by Diana Linsley
01/25/2008 - Things are heating up in Affton as the community readies to honor its top citizens and businesses for 2007 with "A Night at the Tropics" %u2014 the Affton Chamber of Commerce's annual auction and awards dinner.
Saturday's gathering at the Two Hearts Banquet Center will serve to recognize Affton's top business person and citizen, along with beautification and community improvement awards. Here's a look at this year's honoree.
Business Person of the Year
Gerald (Jerry) Reinhold, owner of Reinhold Electric Inc. at 9610 Continental Industrial Drive in Affton, is a well-respected business man known for his generous support of the community. Reinhold is Affton's "business person of the year" for 2007.
Reinhold, 52, opened his electrical contracting business in South St. Louis back in 1976. As his business grew, so did his space needs. Reinhold relocated his company to Affton in 2004, purchasing the old J.C. Penney warehouse. Before moving in the building went through an extensive renovation, converted to space for Reinhold's corporate offices, parts department and warehouse. The company now boasts 94 employees.
"November marked three years since our move to Affton. We really love it here," said the Oakville resident.
The list of civic organizations and area chambers to which Reinhold belongs is extensive. They include the Shriners, Lions and Elks clubs. In addition to his involvement in the Affton Chamber of Commerce, Reinhold holds membership in the Lemay, South County, Warrenton, Camdenton, Buffalo, Hillsboro and Ozarks chambers.
"I appreciate receiving this award. It's something I never expected. We do a lot at Reinhold, and we don't expect recognition," Reinhold said.
Professionally, he is a member of the Independent Electrical Contractors, the International Association of Electrical Inspectors, the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., the St. Louis electrical Board and the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers.
Business Person of the Year Jerry Reinhold at his Reinhold Electric warehouse and offices in Affton. photo by Diana Linsley
"Jerry consistently meets the definition of business person of the year as a successful business person who has demonstrated ethical business practices, distinguished himself with his dedicated commitment and energetic leadership, and is active in the community," said Joan Edleson, executive director of the Affton Chamber of Commerce.
"He has given of his service to enhance the quality of business life in the Affton community," she cpontinued.
Reinhold and his wife, Judy, have four children: Chris, 23; Katie, 22; Laurie, 19; and Greg, 18.
Citizen of the Year
It seems fitting that a man who has spent much of his retirement giving to others should, on occasion, be on the receiving end of others%u2019 generosity. The Affton Chamber of Commerce has a special gift waiting for Eugene (Gene) Murphy when, on Jan. 26, he will be honored as "Citizen of the Year" for 2007.
Murphy, 71, worked as director of factory stores for the Kellwood Company for 31 years, until his retirement in 2001. Since then, he has filled his days, and many evenings, volunteering on behalf of those in need, and in making his Affton community a better place to live.
"I had the time available after my retirement. I didn't want to sit on my rear and do nothing. I'm not the type to do that. I wanted to do volunteer work, and I have really come to enjoy it," Murphy said.
Murphy is president of the Affton Christian Food Pantry, vice president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Seven Holy Founders Church, and co-chairman of the Economic Development Committee for Metropolitan Congregations United-Isaiah.
Gen Murphy
photo by Diana Linsley
He is also a consultant for the Southside Outlet Store on Cherokee Street in South St.Louis. There's more. He serves on the Aging in Place Committee for the Affton Community Partnership Program and delivers "Meal on Wheels" on a weekly basis.
My main focus has been with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, helping the poor in the area. That's been a big part of my time," Murphy said.
A fellow volunteer described the compassion and generosity shown by Murphy to those in need as "overwhelming." He is known for the kindness, love and care he shows to others, often brightening their days on his regular meal-delivery visits to their homes.
Gene Murphy and his wife, Barbara, have lived in Affton for more than 36 years. They have six children: Stephen, Margaret, Eileen, Thomas, Mark and Daniel. The couple have 12 grandchildren. Gene and Barbara have been active throughout their lives in various capacities at Seven Holy Founders Church and School.
The Affton community has been very good to us. It has been a great place to raise a family and we hope to stay here for as long as we can," Murphy said.
Going The Extra Mile Award
Beth Letscher will receive the "Going The Extra Mile Award" for the work she has done in the Affton area as a member of the St. Louis County Economic Council.
This is only the second time the Affton Chamber of Commerce has presented this award.
Letscher is the South County Sector Specialist in Real Estate and Community Development for the St. Louis County Economic Council. She works to identify potential projects in South County for development, and coordinates the redevelopment activities with other agencies and organizations working within the community where the project is located.
Beth Letscher will receive the "Going The Extra Mile Award" for her work in Affton as a member of the St. Louis County Economic Council.
Before joining the Economic Council, Letscher worked for three years at East-West Gateway Council of Governments as a planner and policy analyst.
Letscher works with the Affton Chamber EconomicDevelopment Committee on many projects and led the group in putting together a presentation binder to use when talking with developers and commercial real estate brokers interested in locating a business in Affton.
Letscher received her B.A. from Loyola University Chicago in history, and a master of urban planning and policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a certified planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners, and a member of the local and national chapters of the American Planning Association.
Letscher has been married for two years to husband, David Letscher, a professor in the mathematics and computer science department at St. Louis University. The couple enjoy traveling and have visited sites from California to France in the past year. A native of South St. Louis County, Letscher also enjoys spending time with her large family - all still living in the area.
Beautification and Community Improvement Awards
The announcement of the winners of the beautification awards will be made at the awards banquet on Jan. 26. Nominees for the 2007 Harold O. Kessler Beautification Awards are:
Commercial Renovation
Edi' Bar & Restaurant -- 8809 Gravois Road
Owners Edi and Mary Vukovic did a complete interior renovation of their restaurant. The exterior renovation includes painting and new entrance doors. Edi's Bar & Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner serving steaks, fish, pizza and some Bosnian foods.
Fishco Group - 8721 Mackenzie Road
Tom Fisher, the owner, contracted with TBC Construction for interior and exterior renovations to the former Cornerstone Church. the building serves as headquarters for Fishco, manufacturer representatives for the electrical industry.
Residential Renovations
James and Annetta Rainey - 6708 Weber Road
Exterior renovation including new stonework, landscaping, driveway and walkway.
Dragica and Antonio Vodanovic - 9906 Vasel Avenue
Interior renovation including hardwood flooring, new kitchen and plumbing, remodeled bathroom, new bathroom in laundry room. Exterior renovations include removal of trees and shrubs.
Ronald and Karen Watkins -- 9529 Mackenzie Road
Exterior renovations.
Michael Wilson -- 6808 Weber Road
Exterior renovations including new bushes, rocks, trees, vinyl fencing and lighting.
