Photos by Ryan Cronk
Above, Chamber Board President TJ Plew (right) presents the Citizen of the Year award to Paulette Bumbalough.
KING CITY — King City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture recognized a few of the city’s finest residents last Saturday during its Annual Awards Dinner.
The March 10 ceremony, hosted at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City, honored Ricky Humphreys as Friend of the Community, Lynn’s Too as Business of the Year, and Paulette Bumbalough as Citizen of the Year for 2017.
Each of the honorees received a plaque from the Chamber as well as certificates of recognition from local dignitaries for their contribution to the community.
Among those present were Assemblymember Anna Caballero of the 30th California Assembly District, Monterey County District 3 Supervisor Simon Salinas, King City Mayor Mike LeBarre and King City councilmember Rob Cullen.
Raye Ann Houx presented the Friend of the Community award to Humphreys.
Humphreys has volunteered countless hours to various organizations in the community over the years since graduating from King City High School in 2002. He has provided yard work for Sol Treasures, helped with plays for The Stage Hands and is an active member of the King City Rotary Club.
“I just want to thank everybody in this room for this award. It is truly an honor to be a Friend of the Community,” Humphreys said. “… I’ve always been real happy to help people. I can do it without needing money or an award, but thanks again for the award.”
Whitney Lynn-Erickson presented the Business of the Year award to her parents, Byron and Melanie Lynn, former owners of Lynn’s Too, who accepted the award for the family business.
The gas station and convenience store opened in 2000 at its current location, 1137 Broadway St., providing services to residents and travelers for the past 17 years. The Lynns sold the business last December.
“Lynn’s Too was built on a philosophy a long time ago that everything we sold, you could probably buy someplace else and maybe for cheaper, so you had to have a reason to come to Lynn’s Too,” Byron Lynn explained. “You had to have a reason to come in there, and that was service. You have to service the customer and you have to service the community, and that’s what our company has always been about.”
Byron Lynn said a team of Lynn’s Too employees, who have a combined service record of more than 100 years, made the award possible.
“That’s unheard of in the convenience store business,” he said about their total years of service. “This team made this award possible. Having said this, you the customers are really the boss. Without you there would be no Lynn’s Too.”
Suzanne Krause presented the Citizen of the Year award to Bumbalough.
Bumbalough, who was born and raised in Hawaii, worked for Hartnell College for 23 years and retired as dean of the King City campus after 10 years.
She has served on numerous boards and committees in the region, and is currently the president of the South Monterey County Joint Union High School District Board of Directors.
“I’ve been asked why I do so much. My answer is it’s the people, the community,” Bumbalough said. “I like all the positive changes that are happening here, and I always want to help.”
She added, “I’m glad I’ve been part of bringing focus to South County and King City, and therefore, more services to our cities, but it’s always been a team, never just me.” She then thanked her family, Hartnell College and everyone who helps serve the community.
“I am honored to be here, at this time, in this town,” Bumbalough said.
King City Young Farmers catered the event, which also included silent and live auctions, a no-host bar from the Lion’s Club and music provided by DJ Moi Perez. Nearly $20,000 was raised during the live auction of items donated by the community.
The Annual Awards Dinner is King City Chamber of Commerce’s premier fundraiser, with proceeds going toward chamber events and services for the business community.
