The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce and the Cortez Journal honored long-established resident Bill Stroud as the Citizen of the Year at the annual awards ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Main Street Brewery in Cortez.
The award, presented by Journal Publisher Suzy Meyer, selects individuals that have made a significant contribution to the community quality of life, past, present and future.
Presenting the award, Meyer described Stroud as the best kind of citizen;
one who sees what needs to be done, inspires others to join the effort, and keeps chipping away until he accomplishes his goal.
Stroud came to the Cortez area in 1949, after graduating from Western State College in Gunnison. He coached high school basketball and became a teacher, where he was an inspiration to his students and his team. Following a brief position coaching at the college level in California, he returned to Cortez and opened the Cork and Bottle liquor store.
It was during this time that he took an interest in developing a golf course. Where others had tried and failed, Stroud persevered, and faced challenges head on. It was noted that Stroud would not accept It cant be done, and worked clearing sage and removing other obstacles himself on the grounds of what is now Conquistador Golf Course in Cortez.
After completing the front nine, Stroud found a new project in the Stoner Ski Area, north of Cortez. He recognized that the facility was in dire need of improvement, and had potential to be enjoyed to a much greater extent by the community as well as visitors. He found funds in rural recreation development programs and went to work on the ski hill, which has since closed. Stroud, a lifelong athlete with zest for life, took joy in sharing the fruits of his labors.
I will never forget the smiles on the faces of children as they got off the bus for a day of skiing, Stroud said in his acceptance speech.
But he wasnt finished yet. In 1971, after dedicating time to the ski area he turned his attention back to the Cortez Municipal Golf Course, and started a quest to develop another nine holes. It didnt get going until 1976, but as Stroud once said, The main thing that motivates me is that Im not going to fail, and in 1979, the 18-hole golf course was ready to open.
What is now Conquistador Golf Course has become the single largest revenue generating asset for the city of Cortez. To this day, it is an accomplishment that Stroud is most proud of.
The golf course is the thing that I cherish most. It provided thousands of people the opportunity to learn and play golf, he said.
Perhaps most notable is that Stroud deflects credit to others.
I am very proud to receive this award, but let us never forget that all of these accomplishments were the result of teamwork, volunteers and countless hours of dedication by many, Stroud told the crowd.
He also said that none of his achievements would have been possible if not for his late wife, Laura Wheeler Stroud.
I married my best friend, confidant, partner and love of my life. Without her, none of the accomplishments I am being recognized for today would have come to fruition.
Strouds 85th birthday was Jan. 25.
Chamber Executive Director Dena Guttridge said the event was unlike previous ceremonies.
In the past its been a formal sit-down dinner, and we wanted to get away from that. The chamber is all about creating new relationships.
She said that a new format allows people to spend time with those they may not normally get to see.
This is a community celebration its a chance for people to get out and see each other in a social setting one night of the year. We want people to get to know each other, and this is a great way to do it.
Other awards presented included:
The Gerald L. Vincent Family Fund Excellence in Service Delivery, presented to the Yarbrough family, owners of Pioneer Printing and Cold Stone Creamery, for consistent dedication of quality customer service, staff training and commitment.
Greenline Equipments Agribusiness of the Year Award went to East Pines Ranch, for their exceptional performance in agribusiness, farming, ranching, education and government service.
Empire Electrics Green Business Award was presented to Cliffrose - Your High Desert Gardens. This award recognizes the most innovative, ambitious and effective green initiatives for susstainability and energy efficiency.
Osprey Packs was recognized for innovation and their enhancement of success through that innovation.
This years Unsung Hero Award, presented by Four Corners Community Bank, went to Cortez police officer Vern Rucker, for his important but often overlooked valuable social impact.
Rucker, who was also named Cortez Police Officer of the Year in 2010, said that there are many people that could win this award.
A lot of people do a lot of things, but I do appreciate it, and I get an award for doing something that I enjoy doing, Rucker said.
Many of this years awards were new, said Guttridge, and people seemed to enjoy the Denim and Diamonds theme.
Once the evening got rolling, I think people did enjoy the that element of fun that we havent been able to incorporate before.
Reach Brandon Mathis at brandonm@cortezjournal.com
