Hometown News and Views

By Michael d’Oliveira

Pompano Beach – On Wednesday, Oct. 24, the Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce will recognize its 2012 Shining Stars.

 The Shining Star Awards Luncheon will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. at Hillsboro Club, 901 Hillsboro Mile, Hillsboro Beach.

 “These awards are given to call attention to people for what they do, for what they’ve done,” said Ric Green, president/CEO of the Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce.

 In selecting this year’s recipients, the Chamber has singled out a race car driver, the mayor and members of the Brazilian business community.

 “There’s so much in the community that residents don’t know about,” said Green. “People don’t know these things. It’s our job to go out and tell them. It’s all about telling the stories of everyday heroes . . . working hard to improve their business and make Pompano a better place.”

 This year’s honorees are: Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher, receiving the Stewart Kester Award; Isle Casino General Manager Rob Wyre, receiving the Business Man Award; Broward College North Campus President Barbara Bryan, Ph.D., receiving the Business Woman Award and Merritt’s Boat and Engine Works owners Roy and Allen Merritt, receiving the Founders Award. The Stewart Kester Award is named after a longtime community leader who died in 2008.

 The Founders Award is given each year to a recipient who has been in the community a long time and has “always been a part of the community, always giving to the community,” said Leila Moavero, chair of the awards ceremony.

 Allen Merritt founded Merritt’s Boat and Engine Works in 1948 and he’s been on the same 10-acre piece of Pompano land ever since and watching the business grow in size and strength into a family business. “They’ve always been huge in the community,” said Moavero.

 Roy Merritt, Allen’s son, said his family doesn’t donate to everything but where and when they can. “Whatever it takes. There are different things around you just donate to.”

 This year’s Lights of the Community Awards, part of the Shining Stars event, will be given to the Brazilian Business Group, State Rep. Gwyn Clarke-Reed, entertainer Bill Jaycox, Lighthouse Point Police Chief Ross Licata, Sample-McDougald House volunteer Margaret White and Starworks Motorsport Race Team Driver Peter Baron.

 Of all this year’s award recipients, Baron’s service to Pompano may be the most unique.

 “He’s at these international races and he still promotes Pompano. He promotes Pompano at every race he goes to,” said Moavero.

 Tickets for the Shining Stars event are $45 for individuals. Table sponsorships are available for $425. To RSVP, call 954-941-2940.

 Past honorees include: Calvin Glidewell, director of Imperial Point Hospital, for reaching out to the community in Pompano; Mary Phillips, president of the new Small Business & Economic Development Corp., for starting her small business organization and her involvement in other groups in Pompano; Major William H. Knowles, Broward Sheriff’s Office, for his involvement with raising money for earthquake victims in Haiti and Lisa Hamburg, for helping to spearhead the creation of the city’s dog park.