Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Accolades continue to pour in for local businesswoman Doris Lucas, who was recognized in a deputation by Greater Napanee council at their regular meeting on Tuesday.
Greater Napanee mayor Marg Isbester made a special presentation to Lucas to acknowledge the fact she was awarded the Ontario Business Improvement Area Assocation’s Alex Ling Lifetime Achievement Award in March.
“Doris has been the backbone of our downtown right from the very beginning,” said Isbester. “I can remember when I put my business downtown in 1978, Doris was the person we looked to for all the beautification. So much of it stemmed from Doris. She was the type of person who could not only do it herself, but she could attract other people to help.”
Lucas began operating her first business in downtown Napanee when she opened the Napanee Carpet Warehouse in 1956. During a time when Napanee’s downtown was struggling to attract businesses, she opened April’s Image on Dundas Street in 2004, followed by October’s Clothing. Most recently she added Dress for Less. She’s often been credited for kick starting the downtown’s revitalization.
“It’s a pleasure and joy to be a small business owner in this Greater town of Napanee,,” said Lucas. “I would not have traded a single moment for anything else.”
-Council also took time to recognize some of the town’s long serving staff members.
“The average length of service by staff in the community is now reaching 15 years,” said Greater Napanee’s chief administrative officer Ray Callery. “It’s really quite remarkable. We have 17 staff now who have over 25 years of service. I think it speaks a lot about the town and their commitment to the town.”
Earning recognition for 25 years was Dean Martin and Brian Matthews, 30 years was Mark Brooks and Charlie McDonald while Steve Scott was celebrated for 35 years with the town.