In its 41-year existence, Texoma Council of Governments has gone from humble beginnings in a file drawer at Dr. Harry Shytles medical office to occupying the four-story Gallagher Professional Building.  And while that transformation is a story unto itself, the main story Thursday evening was the recognition of individuals in Cooke, Grayson and Fannin counties who have made a positive, lasting impact on those around them during the previous year.

Starting 23 years ago, TGOC began paying tribute to one person in each of the three counties who has been willing to cheerfully dedicate their volunteer time and resources to improve their community.  

Bill Lindsay

TCOG President Bill Lindsay welcomed the crowd to the organization's 41st Annual Meeting and explained that a committee of board members had determined the recipients of this year's Outstanding Citizens Awards.

The Outstanding Citizen for 2009 in Cooke County is Kanita Maxwell, a tireless fundraiser and dedicated volunteer.  Lions Club, 4-H, Time Out Program, Gainesville State School, Cooke County Home Hospice Auxiliary are just a few of the lucky organizations that benefit from Ms. Maxwell's caring heart. 

Cooke County Outstanding Citizen Award recipient Kanita Maxwell

Wiping away "tears of joy," she came forward to accept the award.

"I encourage anyone who wishes to volunteer to get in there and do it," Maxwell told the audience.

The Grayson County Outstanding Citizen Award for 2009 went to Janie Bates.  Ms. Bates is an accomplished grant writer credited with bringing over $3 million into the Texoma Region.  She is very active in Sherman Boys & Girls Clubs, Sherman Chamber of Commerce, Fannin Literacy Council and Sherman High School Band Boosters.

Grayson County Outstanding Citizen Award recipient Janie Bates

In addition, Ms. Bates is the Executive Director of Texoma Workforce Development Board, which is consistently rated among the highest performing workforce development boards in the state.

This means a lot," Bates said as she accepted her award.  "Thank you very much." 

Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd and Rev. Cecil Jones came forward to announce that Pat Hilliard is the recipient of the Fannin County Outstanding Citizen Award for 2009.

Mr. Hilliard has served as a Fannin County Commissioner since 1995.

"Everywhere I go in Bonham, he's there," Mayor Floyd said of Commissioner Hilliard, "and everywhere I go in the county, he's there, too."

(l-r) Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd, Rev. Cecil Jones and Fannin County Outstanding Citizen Award recipient, Pat Hilliard

Commissioner Hilliard, along with Fannin County Commissioner Dewayne Strickland and Elaine Peebles, created the B.E.E.S. Committee (Beautification, Education and Enforcement Strategies) that has cleaned up chronic litter sites and helped educate the public about the tax dollars that can be saved by preventing littering.  Commissioner Hilliard has taken a proactive stance to clean up Fannin County's roadways and ditches by allowing county residents to discard trash in a dumpster located at his precinct barn and he has saved the county money by recycling products whenever possible. 

Commissioner Hilliard has helped coordinate action between Fannin County and the City of Bonham to push for the creation of a county-wide animal control shelter.  He was also one of the driving forces behind the construction of a 453-bed, privately-operated county jail facility at no cost to taxpayers.

This year's Community Partner Award was presented to Pottsboro Church of Christ Ladies Bible Class. 

Pottsboro Church of Christ Ladies Bible Class

For several years, this giving group of Christian ladies has supplied the TCOG Immunization Program with handmade quilts and crocheted/knitted blankets for new mothers and their precious newborns.

Outstanding Volunteer Award for 2009 went to Maurine Gross.  Ms. Gross volunteers her time to advocate for issues of primary concern for senior citizens. 

Maurine Gross

She is a member of the Silver Haired Legislature, a longtime RSVP volunteer, as well as serving on the Texoma Regional Advisory Council on Aging.

Dr. Pamela S. Egner, D.D.S. was named as Texoma Caring Professional for 2009.  The Area Agency on Aging and Elder Watch expressed appreciation for the dental care Dr. Egner has given elderly clients in the area that were living with daily pain, yet simply couldn't afford to pay the full price of necessary dental procedures.  Reduced-rate dental care for seniors is very difficult to find and a special thanks went to Dr. Egner.

Pat Hendrick, H.H.S.C. was named Texoma Most Excellent Community Partner Award.  As a DADS Case Worker in Sherman Pat is an example of a conscience DADS employee dedicated to maintaining a cohesive relationship between DADS, AAA and Tri County Senior Nutrition.

Pat Headrick

Texoma Area Paratransit System (TAPS) was another of the success stories celebrated at TCOG's annual meeting.  A little over two years ago, TAPS was $650,000 in debt and had depleted a credit line that was approaching $350,000.  While the situation seemed dire, the TAPS board members swiftly reorganized the staff and implemented cost-effective measures that allowed them to pay off the $650,000 in debt in just over a year. 

For this remarkable turnaround, TAPS received the 2009 Transportation Partner Award.  And the crowd at TCOG got even more good news Thursday night when new TAPS Executive Director Brad Underwood announced the credit line had recently been paid off.

Brad Underwood

"We are now a debt-free organization," Mr. Underwood remarked.

The final award of the evening went to Kevin Fitzpatrick of Southern Creative Services in Sherman.  Mr. Fitzpatrick has volunteered his time and considerable talent to redesign the TCOG website, which will improve communication between member jurisdictions and Texoma residents.