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Two recognized for efforts to better the community
AUBURN — Two citizens were recognized for their outstanding contributions and efforts at Tuesday’s Auburn Common Council meeting.
Mayor Dave Clark presented Tyler Cleverly with the “citizen of the year” award and Dick Shankle with a “service award” for their efforts to better the community and county.
Citizen of the year
Clark explained that nominations were submitted by the public, with several deserving candidates. “After careful consideration, one individual stood out and was selected by our team for this honor,” Clark explained. Cleverly was cited for having shown “unwavering dedication to improving the well- being of DeKalb County. “Tyler’s commitment to our community is nothing short of inspiring. He has poured his heart into numerous organizations and causes, always striving to make a difference,” the mayor said. “Tyler has shown all of us what it means to put others first, to serve with integrity, and to work tirelessly for the betterment of our community,” Clark said. “We’re deeply grateful for his contributions and the positive change he continues to create.” Cleverly, executive director of United Way of DeKalb County, also serves an assistant coach with DeKalb’s boys basketball team. Because the Barons were about to play in the sectional Tuesday night, Cleverly left shortly after the award presentation to join the team. He provided comments by mail about receiving this award. “I am truly humbled to be honored with such an amazing recognition,” Cleverly said. “I don’t think I am deserving as I try to live each day to make it better than it was the day before. “Doing the right thing for all those in our community should be what we all strive to do. Individual awards are not really for any individual, but for all those who make a lasting impact on others. “I am thrilled to grow up in DeKalb County and can help make a lasting impact on our community. Being born in Auburn truly makes this all come full circle,” he said. “I have had the privilege of serving alongside many people who inspired me and still do. “I think there are many people in our community that could have been worthy of this honor. I accept it on behalf of all those who I am able to follow in the footsteps of. I will do my best to continue doing my part to make Auburn and DeKalb County a place we can all be proud of and make sure we do all we can do to take care of our entire community and the people that call this amazing place home.”
Service award
Shankle was recognized for his 40 years in public service, helping to found the Auburn Community Band in 1982, as a member of the Auburn Rotary Club, and serving as president of the Auburn Waterloo Trail Committee for the past 15 years. “I have decided to step down as president of the Auburn Waterloo Trail,” Shankle said. “It’s been my privilege and honor to serve as president for the past 15 years. I have given this decision a lot of thought. I know the next president will carry on our mission to provide a safe and enjoyable trail for our county to use. “Our endowment fund will help continue the progress that needs to continue to grow to provide for future maintenance. Our board has a lot of qualified people to help the new president.” Because of that hard work, one day, he said, the trail will become part of the Poka-Bache trail system. He thanked concrete contractor Kevin Webb for helping make repairs to the trail in 2014 “when we couldn’t rub two nickels together,” Shankle said. He also thanked the City of Auburn and DeKalb County for their contributions in helping receive a $1.3 million grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to widen the trail to 10 feet and lay down a new asphalt surface.