Chamber tabs Hively as Citizen of Year

With “honoring our past” as part of this year’s theme, the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce named local historian Kay Hively as its 2009 Citizen of the Year.

About 200 people attended the event, held Thursday night at the Neosho Civic.

“The person to be recognized tonight is not one to jump on the bandwagon, but instead, one to push, below the radar, to get the wagon started,” said Dr. Roy Shaver, former superintendent of the Neosho R-5 School District and a former history teacher, during his introduction of Hively.

Shaver recalled how while he was serving on the chamber’s legislative committee during the 1980s, Hively came to a meeting of the group to ask if she could write some letters to federal lawmakers regarding the Neosho National Fish Hatchery. At that time, hatchery officials had been notified the federal government had slated it for closure, and employees had received pink slips.

“The permission of the committee was not needed, but we said ‘Have at it,’ anyway,” Shaver recalled. “Our honoree discovered that the production figures released for the local hatchery were in error and that the Neosho operation did, in fact, qualify as a mitigation hatchery. By this time, our scribe had the attention of Congressman Gene Taylor and others. Through the heroic efforts of this individual, the Neosho hatchery was saved, the only one from the list designated for closure to be spared.”

In 1988, the fish hatchery celebrated its centennial, the first in the nation to reach the 100-year milestone. A large contingent of officials from the Fish and Wildlife Service, including its director, came to Neosho for the event.

“This honoree’s interest in the fish hatchery did not end with its redemption,” Shaver said. “This individual was involved in organizing a vibrant, Friends of the Hatchery organization and is still a friend, having testified before Congress on behalf of the hatchery.”

Shaver mentioned Hively’s other community work, including serving on the Shoal Creek Heritage Preservation Committee, the Missouri State Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, the Neosho / Newton County Library board of directors, the planning committee for the centennial celebration of the birth of Thomas Hart Benton, developing a “Walk of Fame” in Big Spring Park along with two co-workers, and as a key contributor to Neosho’s application for the All-America City Award.

Hively has also served on the Carver Birthplace Association Board, led the effort to name Neosho’s airport after native son and famed aviator Hugh Robinson, and testified before Congress on behalf of the Newtonia Battlefield Protection Association, urging the creation of a national park.
Hively, a writer by trade and editor of the Neosho Post, was uncharacteristically speechless upon accepting the award.

“There are so many people who do so much more,” she said. “You could probably have 50 people up here.”

Hively related a conversation she’d had earlier Thursday evening with Karol Mayer of the Faithful Friends Animal Advocates group. Hively praised Mayer for her efforts in rescuing abandoned dogs and cats, and Mayer told her she merely did things that were close to her heart.

“Everybody has a heart,” Hively said. “So get out there and do your thing, and keep pluggin’ away!”

The evening also included a speech from Oleg Tyurikov, outgoing chamber president, who recounted events held during the past year. These included first Friday coffees, three business after hours events, the annual business and industry review during which 3,000 people attended, the Car and Bike Show, Cinema in the Park, the annual Summer Social on the Square, and the upcoming eighth annual Dickens Christmas Faire.

“I got to really experience the chamber and all of the wonderful things the chamber does for the community,” Tyurikov said. “There are just so many things the chamber does to make the community a special place.”

Rick Rogers, publisher of the Neosho Daily News, was then sworn in as the 2010 president of the Chamber of Commerce. Rogers first thanked Tyurikov for his time and service as 2009 chamber president, then thanked Executive Director Shana Griffin and Economic Development Director  Gib Garrow for their hard work and dedication.

“And for all the hard work, what do they get? They get to put up with me for a year,” Rogers joked.
Rogers also said he viewed the chamber as a hub or nucleus for the city, made up of hard-working volunteers who give of their time, effort and money to make sure events are held in the city.

“The chamber is here as a place where people who are considering relocation to Neosho go to seek information on neighborhoods, employment and schools,” he said. “The chamber is here as one of the first stops a business owner will go to gather advice on where a good location would be to open a shop, or where a franchise owner will go to talk to someone about whether or not Neosho would be a good fit for their brand. The chamber serves as a hub for networking between its members and the community to gather and share thoughts and concerns, or just a friendly handshake, at events such as the first Friday coffees, after-hours socials and the quarterly luncheons.

“Imagine for a quick second, what Neosho would be like without a vibrant Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce. No fun activities. No networking opportunities. No place to go for new residents and business owners to seek out information. No vibrant, active business membership.”

Saying he was preaching to the choir, Rogers encouraged chamber members to be proud to be a member and to tell the chamber’s story to others. He stressed the chamber wasn’t an elitist club, but was open to anyone in the community.

Main Stop, a Neosho convenience store, was named the most improved business of the year, and entertainment was provided by A Perfect Fit DJ Services.