Mike Rutkosky was honored as Citizen of the Year and Dinners Done Right was named Business of the Year during the annual Bonney Lake Chamber of Commerce banquet Friday at Swiss Park.
Chamber Executive Director Lora Butterfield was pleased with the event.
“It was the best awards banquet we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Butterfield said. “Everything was great. The people had lots of fun, enjoyed great food with great entertainment.”
Rutkosky is on the Bonney Lake Relay For Life committee, Citizens for Education and volunteers for several other groups. He is also active at Creator Lutheran Church in Bonney Lake.
His nominator stated in a letter: “Mike is one of those people who volunteers without any hidden agendas and just out of the kindness of the heart. He has such a passion for the things he does and whatever committee or organization he is involved in, you can count on things to be very well organized and successful.”
Wendi Woodyard, co-owner of Dinners Done Right, accepted the Business of the Year award.
Other awards were presented to Brad Young for Chamber Volunteer of the Year; Zato Grill for New Business of the Year; Roberta Salluston of Mary Kay for Home Based Business of the Year; Tom Watson of Office Depot for Excellence in Customer Service; and Rainier Dental for Best After Hours Event in 2009.
Mayor Neil Johnson presented the “State of the City” speech before the crowd of 65.
Johnson spoke about such topics including the city’s sign ordinance, developing the city’s downtown area, new businesses, Washington State University Forest and Eastown.
“The city does not want to be another South Hill Mall area,” Johnson said.
He said during a recent youth forum, that Bonney Lake students requested a bowling alley, Red Robin restaurant and YMCA.
Johnson also said MultiCare/Good Samaritian Hospital has plans to build a facility and that widening of state Route 410 will start soon.
Notables in attendance at the banquet were Sen. Pam Roach, Councilman Jim Rackley, Councilwoman Laurie Carter, City Judge Jim Helbling and Pierce County Councilman Shawn Bunney.
