Date: Fri 27-Jun-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

business-Rotary-Harris-awards

Full Text:

Rotary Presents Harris Awards

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Rotary Club of Newtown Monday handed out its annual Paul Harris

Fellowships, the most prestigious awards bestowed by the organization.

This year Dunham Smith, John Madzula, Jan Roman and Duane Baumert were honored

for their many years of long and outstanding service to Newtown.

The award is named for Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary with

three business associates in 1905. Newtown Rotary will now contribute a $1,000

grant in the name of the four recipients. The money will help fund Rotary

International's work toward world peace and understanding.

"If you look at the recipients, the service they have given to Newtown is

unbelievable to me," noted Rotary president Paul Dohrenwend.

Mr Smith, of 31 High Rock Road, an executive vice president at American Bank

of Connecticut in Waterbury, has served as treasurer of the town's Pension

Committee for more than 20 years. He also served on the Board of Tax Review

and Newtown Scholarship Association board.

Mrs Roman, of Taunton Lake Road, along with her husband, Paul, own The Taunton

Press. Frequently strapped for time as their business grew, Mrs Roman was

often unable to participate in community activities as much as she would have

liked. Instead, she and Paul helped out through financial contributions to

organizations, as well as the police, fire and ambulance.

Mr Baumert, of 38 Huntington Road, was recognized for his many years of

service to the Rotary Club. He also served for several years on the Board of

Selectmen and Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).

Local architect John Madzula was also honored for his devotion to Rotary. He

is a 19-year member of the Borough Zoning Board of Appeals, a former member of

the Conservation Commission and a member of the Heritage Preservation Trust.