Former Mayor named Citizen of the Year
Published 12:37 pm Saturday, February 2, 2019
A man described as having a passion for his hometown was named Citizen of the Year at the Vidor Chamber of Commerce Banquet Thursday night.
Former Vidor Mayor and current Commissioner Pct. 4 Robert Viator Jr. was selected for his hard work while rebuilding the city after Hurricane Harvey.
James Brown Gumbo House was named Member of the Year.
Both were received by standing room ovation.
Lamar State College-Orange President Dr. Thomas A. Johnson was the keynote speaker at the event.
“Do we have any veterans here? I would like to ask any veterans to stand,” Johnson said at the beginning. “Because of you, I am able to speak here tonight.”
Johnson also spoke of Viator.
“Viator fights for this community,” Johnson said when he spoke about attending Mayoral Breakfasts.
While Lamar recently celebrated 50 years, Johnson said it is just entering the Golden Age.
Chamber President Hal LaPray reported chamber membership had tripled in the previous seven months.
Competition on the best-dressed table was set between five tables. Guests selected their choice by dropping a ticket in a small glass vase. The completion was so close, there was almost a tie. By a narrow lead, Prejean Allstate won the honor.
For future chamber events, one can access a calendar now available on the chamber’s website.
A Vidor Chamber Mixer is scheduled from 7:30 a.m.- 9 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20 Nehemiah’s Vision located at 545 Denver Street in Vidor.
