March 28, 2024

Allen honored for service; Long becomes new Chamber of Commerce board chairman

Chaz Allen was honored Thursday night for his tenure as mayor of Newton — the longest in the city’s history — while Skiff Medical Center CEO Steve Long was handed the gavel of chairmanship at the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.

Long said that the great thing about being chairman will be working with Newton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Darrell Sarmento.

“Darrell is the heart and soul,” Long said. “I am thrilled because Darrell is really good. He’s got tons of really great ideas, and this community is a really great place to be.”

Also during the annual Chamber dinner:

• Newton Development Corporation Director Frank Liebl was honored with the Community Development award for his involvement with developing Newton post-Maytag.

When Sarmento informed Liebl that he won the award, he told Sarmento that his staff was a big reason for the NDC’s success.

“There are so many people that I had the privilege of working with as we try to move the community forward,” Liebl said. “I believe we are on the right path.”

He said that it is a community effort and that Newton’s positive attitude is the key to NDC success.

• The Newton Community Education Foundation presenting their 2011-2012 excellence in education awards during the Chamber dinner and business meeting Thursday.

The awards were given to the following: Aurora Heights, Michelle Modlin;
Berg Elementary, Tami Smith; Emerson Hough, Jamie Cranston; Woodrow Wilson, Deb Stoulil; Berg Middle School, Donna Fitzgerald; Newton Senior High School, Jody Smith; Basics and Beyond, Charlet Daft.

• Jimmy John’s will be joining the Newton Chamber of Commerce this year.