LINCOLN -- Jack Norton, of Lincoln, has worn many hats over the years: school board member, fire chief, justice of the peace and an officer for many organizations and civic groups.
Norton received another recognition at the annual banquet for Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce on Friday night.
The Chamber announced Norton as the recipient of the 2016 Bud Cox award, given annually to an outstanding citizen who has given back to the community.
Last year's recipient John Harvey had the honors to introduce Norton and present him with the Bud Cox plaque.
"The Bud Cox award is given to that someone who everyone else wants on the committee when there is a job to do because he's the one who says, 'Sure, I'll help. What do we need to do?'" Harvey said standing at the front of the room and speaking to about 100 people at the event.
The 2016 banquet, for the first time, was held in the commons area at Lincoln High School. The meal was catered by Mike Tooley with Tooley's BBQ. High school and junior high band students helped by refilling drinks and cleaning up afterward.
Norton has served the community for more than 50 years. He served on Lincoln School Board for 11 years and has served as chief of Morrow Fire Department for 20 years. He also served on the Washington County Quorum Court as a justice of the peace for eight years.
Norton's other areas of service include being a member of the Washington County and State Farm Bureau boards, each for 10 years. He is chairman of the Bethesda Cemetery Board and is a member of Lincoln Area Kiwanis Club, where he served as treasurer for many years.
After receiving his award, Norton stepped to the microphone but his response was a simple and humble, "Thank you."
Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder served as guest speaker and opened with his story of how he came to become involved in law enforcement. Helder started as a dispatcher in 1979 with the Sheriff's Office. In 1982, he began working with the Fayetteville Police Department and then returned to Sheriff's Office in 2005.
Helder now is the longest serving sheriff for Washington County. He has been in law enforcement for 36 years.
"Law enforcement is my calling," Helder said. "I have no doubt God has put me in this position to serve other people."
His message to the Chamber, though, was that everyone has value, everyone has a story and everyone can learn from opportunities to be successful.
He listed what he calls his four "C's" for success: charisma, character, compassion and calling.
Some people have a natural charisma, Helder said, but added he believes people who don't can work at it.
A person's character develops over a life-time but one bad decision will tear down that reputation, Helder warned Chamber members.
For compassion, he quoted a former coach who said, "Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care."
He encouraged Chamber members to stay the course as they lead their community.
"When we go against what we know is right, that is a weakness of will," Helder said.
When he interviews applicants for the Sheriff's Office, Helder said he talks to them about the three "C's," and then closes with the fourth "C," the calling.
"More than anything, I want people who believe in what they do. It's a calling," Helder said. "These are the people who are the driving force for a successful organization. It has to be something deep within you."
His advice to Chamber members was to be positive and influence others as well and to serve others to the "nth degree."'
He added, "I beg of you to stand worthy of your calling. People need strong leadership. You believe in your community and you want to serve."
Chamber President Heather Keenen presided at the meeting. Other guests include state Rep. Charlene Fite and candidates running for office: Laurie Smith is a candidate for District 13 Justice of the Peace and Casey Copeland for District Judge in Prairie Grove.
General News on 02/03/2016