The City of Carlsbad has chosen the recipients of its Citizens of the Year awards, which recognize members of the community who have dedicated themselves to improving Carlsbad through their outstanding service.
And you know what this year's honorees have in common? Well, they're both active members, and former chairs, of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, of course.
KUDOS to Stephen "Hap" L'Heureux and Gina McBride, Carlsbad's Citizens of the Year.
Let me tell you a little bit more about them.
Stephen "Hap" L'Heureux has been committed to serving the City of Carlsbad since he and his late wife, Ann, arrived in the city in 1972. Ann, who died in 2005, was named a Carlsbad Citizen of the Year in 2003. The Ann D. L'Heureux Memorial Dog Park was named in her honor.
L'Heureux, runs the Law Offices of Stephen M. L'Heureux.
According to a release for the City of Carlsbad announcing his selection, L’Heureux is a “low-key activist who sees himself as someone who puts his shoulder to the wheel when times call for people to start pushing.
"I've been involved in a lot of things behind the scenes, and I don't like to get kudos," L'Heureux said.
L'Heureux has served three stints on the Carlsbad Planning Commission, 18 years total.
He was president of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce during his second term on the planning commission, when voters approved the Growth Management Plan in 1986 to ensure that needed public facilities keep pace with new development in the City of Carlsbad.
"Whether it's the city or the chamber, I had my fingers in those pies. You either complain or roll up your sleeves and get it done, my family has always believed," he said in the statement.
Gina McBride is my immediate predecessor, and we all know her dedication to helping people in need.
"To me everyone can be a philanthropist, everyone can be a giver," said McBride of McBride Financial Advisory.
McBride service is widespread and includes being on the board of the New Village Arts Theatre, being chairwoman of the Mottino Family YMCA in Oceanside, serving on the board of Interfaith Community Services, and being a member of the Cal State San Marcos President's University Council.
She was a founding member of Imagine Carlsbad and the city's Envision Carlsbad Citizens Committee. She also has served on the Carlsbad Library and Arts Foundation board. She is a member of the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club.
In 2010, she launched the Starfish Leadership Award to recognize area residents who has made a difference in the lives of others.
And you know what this year's honorees have in common? Well, they're both active members, and former chairs, of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, of course.
KUDOS to Stephen "Hap" L'Heureux and Gina McBride, Carlsbad's Citizens of the Year.
Let me tell you a little bit more about them.
Stephen "Hap" L'Heureux has been committed to serving the City of Carlsbad since he and his late wife, Ann, arrived in the city in 1972. Ann, who died in 2005, was named a Carlsbad Citizen of the Year in 2003. The Ann D. L'Heureux Memorial Dog Park was named in her honor.
L'Heureux, runs the Law Offices of Stephen M. L'Heureux.
According to a release for the City of Carlsbad announcing his selection, L’Heureux is a “low-key activist who sees himself as someone who puts his shoulder to the wheel when times call for people to start pushing.
"I've been involved in a lot of things behind the scenes, and I don't like to get kudos," L'Heureux said.
L'Heureux has served three stints on the Carlsbad Planning Commission, 18 years total.
He was president of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce during his second term on the planning commission, when voters approved the Growth Management Plan in 1986 to ensure that needed public facilities keep pace with new development in the City of Carlsbad.
"Whether it's the city or the chamber, I had my fingers in those pies. You either complain or roll up your sleeves and get it done, my family has always believed," he said in the statement.
Gina McBride is my immediate predecessor, and we all know her dedication to helping people in need.
"To me everyone can be a philanthropist, everyone can be a giver," said McBride of McBride Financial Advisory.
McBride service is widespread and includes being on the board of the New Village Arts Theatre, being chairwoman of the Mottino Family YMCA in Oceanside, serving on the board of Interfaith Community Services, and being a member of the Cal State San Marcos President's University Council.
She was a founding member of Imagine Carlsbad and the city's Envision Carlsbad Citizens Committee. She also has served on the Carlsbad Library and Arts Foundation board. She is a member of the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club.
In 2010, she launched the Starfish Leadership Award to recognize area residents who has made a difference in the lives of others.