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Chelsea honors local citizens
The Chelsea Chamber of Commerce will honor three citizens for their contributions to the community Dec. 16.
By Ed Hostetter, Guest Writer
The Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with The Chelsea Standard will host its annual Citizen of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards Banquet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Chelsea Comfort Inn & Village Conference Center.
“These awards are one of the most important awards our community can bestow on our residents,” the CACC said in a press release. “Chelsea is blessed with a wealth of residents who are committed and dedicated to serving our community. This year, we’re honored to recognize three such residents.”
Nancy Harris, founder of Hearts Community Service, is the recipient of the 2009 Citizen of the Year Award. Hearts Community Service is a non-denominational organization that provides free services to those in need. Her motto is “Help the homeless, aid in emergencies, clothe the needy and welcome a stranger.”
“Through her tireless spirit and giving heart, Harris has made a lasting difference in the lives of many members of the Chelsea community and has defined what citizenship is about. Her goal is to meet their needs and boost their ability to become self-sufficient,” the chamber said.
In the five years Harris has lived in Chelsea, she has volunteered for numerous organizations including various church outreach programs, band activities at Chelsea High School, Chelsea Area Garden Club, Faith in Action, Friends of the Library, and more.
Through HCS, she has also assisted many organizations in the Chelsea area including Michigan Ability Partners, The Father Pat Jackson House, Catholic Social Services, Hope Center, St. Vincent DePaul, Jackson Elementary Schools, and more. HCS provides clients with furniture, winter jackets and other clothing, baby items and household goods. HCS also features a “Sunshine Room,” where children who have lost their belongings due to a disaster can collect new and gently used toys to help comfort them in their time of distress.
“Harris is truly committed to helping others and gives fully of herself to this cause. Chelsea’s incredibly lucky that she chose to live here. Our city is certainly enhanced by her efforts. She’s very deserving of this award,” the chamber said.
This year, the Citizen of the Year committee is honoring two longtime community contributors: Will Johnson and Bill Chandler.
Johnson has served the community of Chelsea in countless ways over the years. As president of Chelsea Community Hospital for 23 years, he provided a vision and innovative leadership that few could replicate. As a result, he turned a struggling small hospital into a highly successful and financially strong medical center that continues to thrive today.
As a result of his creativity and commitment to quality, CCH was named one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation. His commitment to quality, a spirit of collaboration, and partnership with the community distinguished his successful career.
Rather than compete, Johnson fostered collaborations with St. Joseph Mercy Health System and the University of Michigan Health System. He encouraged young physicians to establish their practices in Chelsea, expanding the scope of medical services available throughout the community. He was instrumental in establishing primary care practices in Grass Lake, Stockbridge, Dexter and western Ann Arbor.
During his tenure with CCH, Johnson spearheaded a number of “firsts” including: the first ambulatory surgery center in Michigan, the first employer-sponsored child care center in Michigan, the first fully accredited residential substance abuse treatment facility in the state and the first comprehensive inpatient treatment program in the country.
Johnson also believed the hospital should be a welcoming place, not only for patients, but for the community as well. The hospital offered free CPR classes, along with weight loss, nutrition and stress management seminars. CCH hosted countless community events from the Chelsea Painters Art Fair and sports banquets, to benefit dinners for organizations like Faith in Action and the St. Louis School, as well as meeting space for several local service clubs.
Under Johnson’s guidance, the hospital became the area’s largest employer and a valued asset for the entire community.
Senior living facilities had always been one of Johnson’s dreams. He brought that dream to fruition. In 1997, CCH teamed with United Methodist Retirement Communities to build Silver Maples of Chelsea, a retirement community that offers independent and assisted living options for seniors. Today more than 150 residents call Silver Maples “home.”
Besides a very successful career with CCH, Johnson has volunteered on a number of boards including CCH, Silver Maples of Chelsea (chairman), Huron Valley Ambulance (chairman), American Red Cross (Washtenaw Chapter), Faith in Action, St. Louis Center, Chelsea Civic Foundation, Chelsea Community Foundation, Washtenaw Technical Middle College, plus many medical-related boards.
Bill Chandler is one of Chelsea’s citizens who has quietly provided mentoring and support to the community for many years. While teaching school in Milan, Chandler started a work-study program in the Chelsea school district.
In 1990, along with residents Blake Thompson, Ron Mead and Chief McDougall, Chandler was instrumental in establishing a “Help Line” for persons whose depression was taking over their lives. The “Help Line” is still in existence today.
Chandler served eight years on the Village Council and was also a member of the Planning Commission for four years. He has also served on the Chelsea Library Board. He’s been the “man behind the scenes” at the Chelsea Depot for the past 15 years, where he’s held the position of secretary/treasurer. He’s now involved in obtaining a grant for the upkeep of the Chelsea Depot. He can also be found on Jackson Street on Thursday nights during Sounds & Sights passing out free water.
Chandler was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force from 1948-52. He was stationed all over the country and picked up college credits wherever he was stationed. In 1953, he married Marilyn Rice and finished his education at Michigan State University.
Chandler later returned to school and graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Master’s Degree in Business Education. With the urging of his father-in-law, he and his wife moved to Chelsea and set up housekeeping above “Murlock’s Garage.” Later, they built a house on Howard Street and lived there for 38 years. They now reside on Queen Oaks Drive.
Winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award are selected by secret ballot from past award winners and community and civic leaders in Chelsea.
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