Earl Kingman is the new Citizen of the Year in Normal.
Mayor Chris Koos made the announcement Thursday evening at a town appreciation reception to recognize volunteers. Koos said Kingman’s many community contributions deserve to be recognized, including 33 years with the Sister Cities program.
“Earl is one of those quiet doers in the community. He has always been involved in things. When he gets involved, he stays involved for a long time. And he works behind the scenes. He’s unassuming. He seems quiet, but he’s a strong worker, and the things he works on are visionary,” said Koos.
Kingman is one of the founding members of the Bloomington-Normal Sister Cities Committee.
He said that program helps Bloomington-Normal understand itself as well as providing other benefits.
“It is one of the most important things you can do for world peace because if you get to know these people really well, you don’t want to fight with them,” said Kingman.
Kingman has been to Japan 10 times for the Sister Cities program.
In making the Citizen of the Year award public Koos said Kingman is far more interested in getting things done than taking credit for them. The mayor says that is a rare quality of leadership.
Kingman said he’s pleased and surprised at the award.
As is customary, the Citizen of the Year didn’t know he was the award winner before the reception and the town had arranged for his far-flung family to return to Normal to be with him for the surprise.
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