At East Hampton Patch, we thought it might be fun to launch our own -- and apparently you all thought it was a good idea, too, because the response has been tremendous.
Here's how the voting will work: From now until Dec. 31 at noon, we will be taking your vote by poll (It's anonymous). Just sign-in and click the person you think is most deserving. Only vote once (otherwise, what's the fun?). In addition, feel free to leave a note in the comments as to why that person deserves the recognition. No votes will be counted after noon on Dec. 31.
The winner will be announced next year -- on New Year's Day 2012 that is.
So finally ... drum roll, please ... here are your top 10 choices to vote on and comments from readers who nominated them:
- Sharon Bacon, volunteer, Kendall Madison Foundation and others. "She, in concert, with the East Hampton Community Council provide emergency assistance to so many local families. She's fair, firm & approachable. Always ready to help if/when she can. Even though she's faced many of her own trials, she's a friendly face in tough times."
- Dennis Fabiszak, director. "After hurricane Irene, Mr. Fabiszak opened the library to assist people without electricity...The library became a community headquarters where people could work, and meet and communicate until electrical lines were up and functioning."
- Alec Baldwin, actor, Amagansett resident, philanthropist. "NO ONE has to our community as he does."
- Zachary Cohen, candidate for East Hampton Town Supervisor, "who took on a race which a year ago was said to be entirely unwinnable and, by means of a clear mind, straightforward ideas, honesty, persistence and good humor came within a whisker of unseating an incumbent who took office in a landslide."
- Ben Krupinski, builder and businessman, "gives to our community in many ways. He is very generous to may organization on the East End."
- Emily Liss Nixon, crossing guard, "For so many years, getting generations of children safely to and from school. A thankless job."
- Peter Honerkamp, owner, "His continued efforts on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Project and his willingness to help fund-raise for a myriad of local causes through the years."
- Vicki Littman, secretary of the and head of the Amagansett satellite pantry. "Her never ending work and support for the food pantry and helping to make sure that the beaches have numbers for emergency rescues."
- Tara Mansir, founder of ., The Kattie O Berkoski Foundation to help others while dealing with her own health issue, "yet keeps her focus on helping others in our community."
- Madison Gregg, 13 year old student who has hosted a benefit for the past three years to help out some way in the community. "She has always had a burning desire to make someone else smile."
Honorable mentions: East Hampton Town Supervisor Bill Wilkinson, Bayman Stuart Vorphal, owner Paul Monte, founder Theresa Roden, former East Hampton Human Services Department head Edna Steck, president Nancy Andrews, teacher and golf coach Claude Beudert, Matt Norklin, who was dubbed "East Hampton's [Dog] Poop Crusader" and the St. Patrick's Day Parade 2012 Grand Marshal .
