George Glenn, former Sallisaw mayor, chamber member, and retired insurance agent, was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon Wednesday. At the presentation are, from the left, Randall Baker, Glenn’s son-in-law; Kylie, his granddaughter; Tracy Baker, his daughter; Glenn; and Buddy Spencer who presented the award.
Mike Neer, who recently retired from National Bank of Sallisaw, was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon Wednesday. Gary Schaefer presented the award. At the presentation are, from the left, Schaefer, and Mike and Gloria Neer. Neer helped with the finances for the chamber and the Sallisaw Improvement Corporation, where he served on the board for over 10 years.
The Cherokee Casino Sallisaw was named the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month for January at the chamber’s membership luncheon at the casino on Wednesday. At the presentation are, from the left, Chuck Hoskin Jr., Cherokee Nation Secretary of State; Chamber President Cheryl Mills, chamber president; Rod Fourkiller and Amber Nelson who represented the casino; and Bryan Warner, Cherokee Nation District 6 tribal councilman.
Chuck Hoskin Jr., Cherokee Nation Secretary of State, was the guest speaker at the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon on Wednesday. He spoke on the impact of the tribe on the community.
Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to George Glenn and Mike Neer at the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon Wednesday.
The luncheon was held at the Cherokee Nation Casino in Sallisaw.
Buddy Spencer presented the award to Glenn, who recently retired from his career as an insurance agent. Spencer recalled that Glenn was mayor of Sallisaw for 25 years.
“It would take two weeks to tell all about him, not two minutes,” Spencer quipped.
Gary Schaefer presented the award to Neer, who recently retired after 31 years with National Bank of Sallisaw.
“He always worked to bring a better way of life to the community,” Schaefer said about Neer.
The Chamber Member of the Month was the Cherokee Casino Sallisaw. Rod Fourkiller, Amber Nelson, Brian Warner and Chuck Hoskin Jr. accepted the award.
Hoskin, Cherokee Nation Secretary of State, was the speaker at the meeting. He gave a short review of Cherokee Nation history and pointed out the nation has a huge impact on the area.
“The Cherokee Nation is a story of grit and determination” Hoskin said.
“We have kept our fires alive in the 20th century,” he said. “Our government is getting stronger, our businesses prosper, and everyone is getting along better.”
Hoskin pointed out that the Cherokee Nation has a $117 million impact in Sequoyah County alone, with over 1,000 jobs, and a total budget of $731 million in the tribe’s 14-county area for 2017. He said 1,600 people in the county get housing assistance, the tribe has spent $500,000 on infrastructure and over 500 students have received scholarships.
Hoskin pointed out that the Cherokee Nation now owns the Sequoyah’s Cabin historic site in Sequoyah County, which is currently closed for improvements. The site will re-open in March, he said.
Chamber President Cheryl Mills announced that the annual Chamber Recognition Banquet will be held Feb. 18 at the Sallisaw Middle School. Mike Mass will be the guest speaker.
A former state representative from Hartshorne, Mass spent two years in prison for taking kickbacks. He has written a book, “Beneath the Vines,” about his life.
It was also announced that the March of Dimes March for Babies Kick Off will be at noon Thursday at the People Inc. Training Center.
A funding campaign for a storage building for Catholic Charities Helping Center in Sallisaw is also underway.
Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director
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