Who will be 2016 Man About Town?
Five Ramona volunteers who are vying for the title of 2016 Man About Town are asking for votes at a penny per vote. The one with the most “votes” will be the winner.
The candidate collecting the most votes will be announced at the Ramona Country Fair at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Lane, on Friday, Aug. 26, at 5 p.m. Proceeds from the votes will be 50 percent to the candidate’s favorite charity and 50 percent to the Ramona Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program. Donations may be made at each candidate’s place of business or other designated locations. The competition is a part of the Ramona Chamber of Commerce 2016 Country Fair.
BOB MURRAY: Bob is the owner/operator of the Java Hut in San Diego Country Estates. He is a father and grandfather and shares operating the Java Hut with daughter Breanna. His son, James, runs Pete’s Barbecue at the corner of 10th and Main, and, yes, James is responsible for all the mouth watering aromas coming from that corner. Bob is a dedicated volunteer in the Ramona community. You can see him all over town as the past president of Ramona Rotary Club actively working with Ramona students. Bob currently serves as a Director on the Ramona Chamber of Commerce Board, where he is also a past president and serves on the Scholarship Committee, and he is also the senior vice president of the Men’s Auxiliary for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. His Charity is the Ramona Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund.
CHARLIE KOEHLER: Together with his wife, Charlie is the owner and winemaker of La Finquita Winery and Vineyard. A resident of Ramona since 2011, he loves the friendliness and relaxed atmosphere of Ramona and strives to help others and give back to his community. He has chosen Ride Above Disability (RAD) as his charity for this year’s Man About Town competition. RAD is a therapeutic riding center dedicated to enriching the lives of children and individuals with various physical and mental disabilities. Stop by and see Charlie at La Finquita, have a glass of wine and make a donation to his campaign.
Suave, sophisticated, charming, debonair and a 44-year Ramona resident makes me the perfect candidate for “Man About Town.” Now that I have your attention, I am PAUL STYKEL. I not only graduated from Ramona High School in 1977 but my wife and kids are also alumni of the Ramona Unified School District. I am currently serving my eighth year on the Ramona Community Planning Group and would like to be voted in for another four-year term in November. I am the chairman of the Current Urban Development Area, better known as CUDA, which I enjoy very much. It is my way of giving back to this community that I love. Ramona is a unique town with people who care about what happens here and we should all be proud to call “The Valley of the Sun” home. I am a member of the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association and a current board member and I also grow grapes for a local winemaker. This is an exciting time in Ramona and I see all the positive growth that we are experiencing. The future is looking really good and I am happy to be a part of it.
The charity that my donations will go to is Ramona Boys and Girls Club. They are a worthwhile club that does a lot of good for the children of this community and I am happy to help in this small way. Please let me know where I can pick up your donation. 619-481-1015.
STEVE HERMIZ: Steve is the manager of Country Wine and Spirits with three locations in Ramona. Country Wine and Spirits was voted Business of the Year in 2015. Steve’s dedication to the community has him hosting complimentary barbecues at the Country Estates location on Memorial Day and the 4th of July. His gracious donations to all fundraisers are too many to list and he is always hosting fundraising groups at the store locations. He is active in the Ramona Chamber of Commerce and has been a co-host for many of the chamber’s mixers. A hardworking and dedicated businessman in the Ramona community, Steve has chosen the Ramona Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund as his charity. Stop by and see Steve in the store at San Diego Country Estates.
THAD CLENDENEN: Thad is a successful Realtor in Ramona and is currently the branch manager of Century 21 Award. His volunteerism in the community includes being a two-term president of the Ramona Chamber of Commerce, an active member of the Ramona Real Estate Association and a past president of the Ramona Rotary Club. Thad’s charity of choice is Cornerstone Therapeutic Riding Center, a volunteer operation that is a learning center enabling children and adults with physical and mental challenges the opportunity to learn to ride and identify with horses, providing them a calm and encouraging environment. The center works with wounded warriors and considers the most powerful antidepressant in the world has four hooves and a swishy tail.
“Please donate/vote for your favorite candidate,” says Sally Westbrook, 2016 Ramona Country Fair and Man About Town chair.