Green, Doerge named man, woman of the year
Written by Josh Beavers
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
A crowd of more than 500 was treated Thursday night to good food, good fun and a sense of good community spirit.
The setting was the Minden Civic Center and the scene was the annual Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce banquet.
Town & Country Health and Rehab and the Weston Place served as the title sponsor for the event. Corporate sponsors included R&V Works, Richland State Bank, Fibrebond, Jean Simpson Personnel Services, TG Garden and Gifts, Konica Minolta, First Choice Personnel, Entergy, Gibsland Bank & Trust, Easley Fine Art Gallery, Webster Printing, Allstate and David Raines Community Health Centers.
Accompanied by the musings and keen insights of event emcee Dr. Richard Campbell, attendees enjoyed a fine dinner provided by Jimmy Hall’s Party Express Catering.
And then there was the much-anticipated announcement of the Minden Man and Woman for 2009.
Once the cat had been let out of the bag and the secret was finally revealed, all in attendance rose to their feet to honor the man and woman who have played such positive roles in the lives of Webster Parish citizens.
This year’s honors went to Bill Green and State Representative Jean Doerge. The Young Women’s Service Club sponsors the Woman of the Year award, while the Minden Lions Club presents the Man of the Year Award.
The award for Chamber Member of the Year went to Jimmy Hall and Party Express Catering.Woman of the Year State Representative Jean Doerge retired from teaching after a 30-year career. She is a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, who has represented Webster Parish since the death of her husband Everett in 1998.
“I wouldn’t be in this position if not for the person who stole my heart over 50 years ago – my husband Everett Doerge,” she said as she accepted the honor. “When he died, I felt I had to finish what he started.”
And she has been successful.
In 2001, Doerge worked to establish a special district to authorize the creation of a fire and emergency training service district, only the second created in Louisiana. She helped various residents in the Dubberly community in south Webster Parish obtain water service when their wells went dry. She also helped to secure a grant for the Cotton Valley water system.
In 2002, she helped the Springhill Medical Center obtain placement in the Rural Hospital Coalition, a move that enabled the facility to obtain additional funds. She pushed for the designation of a tourism center in Springhill, with appropriate directional signs to the new facility. She also worked for a jogging trail in Frank Anthony Park and for the funding to renovate the Spring Theater.
She pushed for funding to relocate the Northwest Technical College in Minden into a new home on Industrial Drive.
Doerge’s alma mater, Northwestern State University, inducted her into the College of Business Hall of Distinction.
Her name is engraved on a plaque located in the foyer of Russell Hall.
“I wouldn’t be here if not for the people of Webster Parish who have put their trust in me,” Doerge told the crowd.
“I have always tried to do what is best for you and I am so thankful and honored tonight.” Man of the Year Minden Mayor Bill Robertson calls Bill Green the “Mayor of Academy Park”. He is also affectionately referred to as the “Widow’s Wonder-man” as he gladly comes by and makes home repairs at many of the residences in the historic district.
Called a creator by Duane Cloud, a longtime friend and the gentleman who made last night’s presentation, Green “still gives and volunteers long past retirement age.”
“He is a true giver in every sense of the word,” Cloud said. “He is a creator in several trades. The Minden Historic Commission, our town and this nation has benefitted from his service.”
Event emcee Dr. Richard Campbell said of Green, “he can fix anything. And that is not an exaggeration.”
Green is a native of Tennessee and a veteran of the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Barksdale and moved to Minden after his discharge. He worked as a loan officer at a local banking institution upon his arrival to the community.
He and his wife Billy Jean reared three sons, and they are members of St. John’s Episcopal Church.
“He learned this is a great place to live and raise a family,” Cloud said.
Upon receiving the honor, Green thanked his wife and also kidded that he did not believe the selection committee knew whom they were voting for.
“I love Minden,” he told the crowd. “I am honored and it has been a great pleasure working with the people here. I’m glad to volunteer.”
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