STAMPER LEGACY: Alliance Establishes Scholarship in Memory of Late County Commissioner Gary Stamper
The future of local business and industry looked bright Friday night as the Economic Alliance of Lewis County — formerly the Lewis Economic Development Council — hosted its 37th annual banquet in partnership with the United Way of Lewis County at the Jester Auto Museum to recognize those making a difference in the community.
In total, four awards were given out to community leaders, some of whom are celebrating retirement this year.
Though the recent death of Lewis County Commissioner Gary Stamper weighed heavily on many attendees that night — a short moment of silence was conducted in remembrance — Economic Alliance Executive Director Richard DeBolt announced a scholarship fund in honor of the Mossyrock native that will benefit East Lewis County students pursuing a career in education.
At least $10,000 was raised by attendees to help launch the fund.
“We’ve had a lot of our members call us to donate, we’ve had a lot of people want to give money to support Gary,” DeBolt said.
The scholarship will also benefit older students, like Gary was when he pursued a career in education.
“He didn’t become a teacher until he cut his finger off in a mill,” DeBolt said. “He was a very special man.”
The following are the four award recipients who were recognized at Friday night’s banquet and auction:
• The Gail & Carolyn Shaw Industry Award was presented by 2019 recipient Ralph Hubbert to Dan Rich, former chair of both the Lewis EDC and the Centralia Community Foundation. Rich is a developer, former service member and a “great friend of Lewis County. He has a huge heart and huge character, to say the least,” Hubbert said. DeBolt also awarded him a Tommy Bahama flask and sunglasses with a bottle opener to celebrate his retirement.
• The Russ Mohney Recreation Resource Award, presented since 2007 by The Chronicle to individuals who advocate for natural resources or enhancements and named in honor of the legendary newspaper columnist, was awarded to Jon Vigre, owner of Chehalis-based Home Carpet Warehouse. Vigre has volunteered for the Coastal Conservation Association since it was established, has helped with nutrient enhancement projects on the Cowlitz River and has helped voice support for a new hatchery on the Deschutes River. He’s also helped support fishing opportunities for recreationalists and local student athletes.
• The Economic Alliance Award was given to Becky Butler, Lewis County’s budget manager, who helped Lewis EDC with distributing American Rescue Plan Act money. Butler helped in a county-EDC partnership that saw the distribution of hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds to local nonprofits and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic this year.
• For the first year, the Debbie Campbell Community Commitment Award was awarded to the retiring United Way of Lewis County executive director. She’s spent the last 22 years leading the nonprofit, and her successor was announced recently in Christian Bruhn, the dean of instruction at Centralia College.
“Every once in a while, you get a person in your life who really makes a huge difference to your community and makes it some place better to live,” DeBolt said, calling Campbell a mentor.
“It’s a bit surreal, but I’ve had a great time over the last few weeks talking about memories … That’s what I was doing tonight,” Campbell said, calling herself “very blessed” and noting her love for the community.
Five items were auctioned off at a combined $9,900 that’s set to benefit the United Way of Lewis County, and many more thousands of dollars were likely raised through the dozens of items in a silent auction.
DeBolt and others also spoke about progress on the United Learning Center, which is due to open next year and feature four Bezos Academy classrooms. Approximately $41,200 was raised by attendees through a raise-the-paddle auction, during which Security State Bank and Tin Men Supply each contributed $10,000.
During a report to the community, DeBolt said the state of the county was good and that the alliance is working with local partners. He also announced the renaming of the EDC to the Economic Alliance of Lewis County.
“Whoever it is, we want to partner to do what’s right for our community and to make our community stronger,” DeBolt said, noting the EDC has grown in membership, revenue and staff.
DeBolt said the alliance has had a “banner year” bringing people on board to Lewis County. He highlighted Ryerson Steel as an example of a local business that’s eyeing opportunity in the area. The company is expected to bring at least 50 to 60 family-wage jobs to the area.
“This company is investing heavily into our community. These are the kind of manufacturing jobs we want,” DeBolt said.
But there are hurdles, DeBolt detailed.
“We’ve got to get those things fixed, folks. We’ve got to get housing, we’ve got to get employees, we’ve got to get our workforce engaged and we’ve got to change our trajectory,” DeBolt said. “And the way we do this is not necessarily through minimum-wage jobs, but through family-wage jobs and manufacturing jobs, and those jobs that make a difference in our community.”
