Normal’s Citizen of the Year serves community, but stays out of the limelight

Posted on July 28, 2017

 

 

Normal Citizen of the Year Carl Teichman accepts congratulations from 1986 honoree William M. Hammitt. (Photo by WJBC’s Howard Packowitz.)

 

By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – Normal’s Citizen of the Year for 2017 is a man who’s rarely in the news, but he’s proud to have influence on developments in both of the Twin-Cities.

Carl Teichman is Illinois Wesleyan University’s Director of Government and Community Relations, he’s past president of the McLean County Regional Planning Commission, is on the board of directors for the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, and has worked on a planning committee to spur investment on Main Street.

It was not easy for Teichman to be the center of attention when he received the honor Thursday night at a reception at Heartland Community College.

“I’m not one for the limelight and this is, you know, to be honest with you, very uncomfortable,” said Teichman.

“I’m not one to seek out these kinds of (honors). I don’t count on them, and that’s not why I’m doing what I do,” he added.

Mayor Chris Koos said Teichman is “one of the most humble, respected, caring, and engaged individuals in Normal.”

The mayor also praised Teichman for his modest approach, calm demeanor, and willingness to serve.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…