DELTA TOWNSHIP AWARDS RECEPTION A HUGE SUCCESS!

Delta Township celebrated its 45th Anniversary in Style!

The second annual Delta Township Community Awards Reception and 45th Anniversary Celebration, sponsored by the Delta Township Board of Trustees, was held on Tuesday, October 9 at the Sheraton Lansing Hotel in Delta Township. The event recognized and celebrated the accomplishments of Delta Township citizens and business by awarding the Citizen of the Year, Community Enhancement, Business Partnership, Legacy and Anniversary Awards.  

The awards reception was attended by more than 250 guests that included state and local government leaders.  Sheri Jones, WLNS TV-6 news anchor, served as mistress of ceremonies at the awards reception.  

The 2007 Community Enhancement Award went to Addy’s Floral and Gifts for turning a rundown building on Saginaw Street into a family owned and operated business. For many years, the former property was the focus of property maintenance and blight concerns. The winner has spent significant amount of time and money to rehabilitate the property and turn into a successful operation.

The 2007 Citizen of the Year Award went to Gail Hanna for extraordinary efforts in promoting Delta Township and enhancing the quality of life for its citizens.  Hanna is credited with forming a “walkable community” within Delta Township and has volunteered countless hours toward promoting that program. She also serves as a volunteer for the “Safe Miles for Jasmine” Walk.

The 2007 Business Partnership Award went to David Chapman, who is known for his outstanding, consistent, long-term partnership with Delta Township in improving the quality of life for its residents. Chapman was instrumental in the development of the property on which Lansing Community College’s West Campus now sits. The areas was developed following the successful relocation of the South Baptist Church and the David Chapman Agency.

The 2007 Anniversary Award was presented to Mrs. Betty Jones, who has been a resident of Delta Township for 85 years. Mrs. Jones was the first female trustee for Delta Township and served for eight years as a board member. Mrs. Jones’ tenure on the Township Board helped formulate the government of Delta Township as we know it.

The 2007 Legacy Award was given to two very special, long-time residents of Delta Township, who went above and beyond to make Delta the best place to live –

Carl Haussman and Howard Hunter.

Haussman and Hunter have both donated substantial amounts of land to Delta Township. The Haussman family has gifted over 200 acres of land to Delta Township, including 148 acres of natural and wildlife land known as Hawk Meadows Park. They also donated seven acres for the expansion of the Delta Hillside Cemetery and 68 acres to the Audubon Society.

The Hunter family has gifted over 26 acres for what now is known as Hunter’s Orchard. Just as significant is the amount of time and resources Mr. Hunter donated to area children sharing his passion for the growth of apples. The park provides picnic and fishing areas, as well as trail.

The 2007 Delta Community Awards Committee was formed in March 2004.  It was organized and led by Delta Township Trustee Dorothy E. Maxwell, and included the following members:  Phyllis Blackburn, Susan Bolhouse, Cindy Bowen, Steve Grinnell, Calvin Jones, Cordree McConnell, Narine Manukova, and Toni Raleigh.  Linda Wells, from the Township Manager’s Office, supported the work of the committee.