• Citizen of the Year

  • John Genitti Citizen of the Year Award Nomination


    Each year since 1976, the Northville Chamber of Commerce celebrates the dedication and commitment of community members that give their time, energy and talent to make Northville a special place to live, work and play. One citizen is recognized with the Citizen of the Year award. In 2014, the award was designated the “John Genitti Citizen of the Year Award”, in honor of local resident and businessman John Genitti.

    The Citizen of the Year receives a place of honor in: the Independence Day Parade, the Victorian Heritage Festival Parade and the Holiday Lighted Parade.

    Criteria for Nomination:

    • Be involved in actively supporting (through time, talent or financial support) an organization that improves our community.
    • Live or work in the Northville Community.
    • Show concern for community, environment and family. 
    • Be a role model for community youth and citizens.
  • A brief outline of the reasons they qualify for Citizen of the Year status will be required.

    Nomination deadline: January 1, 2024


  • Citizen of the Year Past Recipients 

  • 2022 - Mary Kay Gallagher 2022 - Mary Kay Gallagher

    Mary Kay Gallagher started influencing children and families as a Preschool Teacher and Program Coordinator in the 1980’s, then in the capacity of Northville Elementary Principal, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and lastly as Superintendent. She has impacted multiple generations of children, families, staff and community members.

     

    She is part of the fabric of the Northville community and there is no better role model for our youth than Mary Kay Gallagher. She has the highest level of integrity and the moral awareness to know the good, love the good and do the good.  She has served the Northville school district and community with strength, courage, kindness and compassion. She is selfless and makes decisions with the interest of students first. She has always led our district with her strength, vision and resiliency. Mary Kay has unlimited energy - it seems she never sleeps! She is a constant presence within the school district, from board meetings to school plays. She makes it a priority to show up for our kids. Mary Kay’s reach extends far beyond Northville Public Schools. She has had a positive impact on thousands of Northville youth and as a result they have been well positioned to launch into successful adulthood and go on to impact our world.

    2019 - Lindsay Dogonski 2019 - Lindsay Dogonski

    Lindsay was born and raised in Northville and graduated from Northville High School in 1995. She earned a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green University, and a bachelor's degree in Mortuary Science from Wayne State University in 1999 so she could work in the family business. She is a 4th generation business owner/operator of Casterline Funeral Home, which has been in Northville since 1937.  Lindsay has guided many Northville families through one of the most difficult times in their lives, her caring and compassion for people is evident in her work she does daily. 

    • She continues the Casterline tradition of supporting local organizations, including the Northville Chamber of Commerce, Northville Parks and Recreation, and the local VFW by passing out ice cream each Memorial Day.
    • She is an active member in the Northville Rotary and works tirelessly on many fund-raising projects including Tour De Ville, clean up days at Maybury Farm, participating in the Northville Holiday Parade, and serving on the Foundation Board.
    • She is a founding member of KidsGala, which is a charity that provides parties to children facing a live changing event.
    • She has also worked with the Duke and John Foundation which is another Northville-based charity for children that provides prosthesis for young children.
    • She is involved at Allen Terrace where she has been calling Bingo for the last 2 years.

     

    “Lindsey truly puts the Northville Community first in everything she does and is always willing to help and be a part of many of the events and traditions that make Northville such a great town.”

    2018 - Chuck Murdock 2018 - Chuck Murdock

    Chuck Murdock is dedicated and committed to making the Northville community a special place to live, work and play. He worked at Ford Motor Company as an engineer and program manager for 27 years. He and his wife, Andrea, have lived in the City of Northville since 1989 in the Northville Estates subdivision. Chuck and Andrea have one daughter who lives in Florida. 

     

    • Chuck is active in his homeowner’s association, serving as President of the Northville Estates Homeowners association. 
    • He serves the senior adults of Northville by volunteering with AARP, that provides free income tax preparation services for senior adults.
    • He serves on the City of Northville Historic District Commission that regulates development within the city’s designated historic district boundaries.
    • He is a volunteer of the Northville District Library, assisting with the Summer Reading Program, Battle of the Books, the Friends’ Used Book Sales and delivery of books to homebound residents.
    • He has volunteered with the Historical Society for some events in the past, such as the cemetery walks, and Victorian clothing sales.
    • He also helps to coordinate meetings, arranging for speakers and luncheons for a retiree group of Ford Truck program employees
    • Chuck and his wife Andrea, spend an enormous amount of time and energy volunteering with the Friends of Maybury State Park. Along with serving as Board President, Chuck helps to conduct invasive species testing, monitoring bluebird house nesting, organizes the Friends of Maybury events and programs. Chuck spends several hours each week at the park, volunteering for numerous tasks, most recently spearheading the effort to install THE LINK non-motorized path signs. 
    • As a mentor in the Northville Youth Assistance program, Chuck has changed the lives of several young residents by spending time listening and providing an adult role model for kids that need an extra adult in their lives.

    2017 - Chuck Lapham 2017 - Chuck Lapham

    Chuck Lapham was born and raised in Northville, graduated from Northville High School and has been actively involved as a resident, business and land owner in Northville for over 80+ years. He worked in the family business (Lapham Clothing Store in downtown Northville) and has been married over 60 years to his wife Maxine.

    • He served in the Armed Forces during the Korean War
    • He is one of the founding members of the Northville Area Development Corporation, founded in 1962
    • He served on Northville's City Council from 1968-1972
    • He was active in the Northville Merchant Association and Northville Jaycees
    • He was the founder of the Tipping Point Theatre, which included the donation of land for development, and he continues to support the theatre whenever he can
    • He donated land for the Comerica Walkway
    • He was a supporter of the Marquis Theatre, Northville, MI flag mural

     

    "I only did what came naturally," said Chuck.

    He lives here, works here and is respectfully concerned with the community, the environment and our families. He is the quintessential role model for Northville citizens of all ages. Thank you for supporting the Northville community Chuck!

    2016 - Lauren Romeo 2016 - Lauren Romeo

    Born and raised in Northville, Lauren graduated from Northville High School in 1996 and lives in Northville with her husband, Drew,  and two children, Charley and Hudson.

    In 2012, Lauren created and started administering the local nonprofit Main Street League.  As of 2016, MSL  consists of over 160 members,  raising and donating funds for the following organizations: 

    • Vista Maria
    • Ronald McDonald House Charities
    • Northville Civic Concern
    • Northville Youth Assistance
    • First Step Domestic Violence
    • Funded two (2) Northville High School Scholarships

    Created and managed MSL events that include:

    • Juniors Backpack Drive – filling 100 backpacks with school supplies and gift cards for children in need.
    • Amazing Grapes – fundraising dollars donated to Civic Concern
    • Diaper Drive

    The Main Street League has assisted countless children in the Northville community and also raised the community awareness that the need is great, creating a fun and tangible way to help those in need.

    • Serves on the Northville Youth Assistance Commission
    • Northville Chamber of Commerce Board Member

    Her dedication to Northville is truly remarkable. Lauren in constantly helping the community in any way she can. I see her at each and every event, always willing to volunteer or lend a helping hand. Whenever there is a need or a cause to someone just needs a helping hand, Lauren is the first one to say “yes”.

    2015 - Christopher Johnson 2015 - Christopher Johnson

    2014 - Ken Roth 2014 - Ken Roth

    2013 - Michele Fecht 2013 - Michele Fecht

    2012 - Mark Abbo 2012 - Mark Abbo

    2011 - William Demray, DDS 2011 - William Demray, DDS

    • Citizen-of-the-yr-2019-room.jpg
    • 2019-citizen-of-year-mayor-and-schools.jpg
    • 2019-Cit-of-Yr-Lindsey-and-Nix.jpg
    • 2019-Cit-of-Yr-crowd-shot.jpg