By Jack M. Fredericks / STAFF

Alpharetta, known for high-tech companies and general affluence, may be on the verge of gaining another reputation: community service.

The Alpharetta Rotary Club dedicated their weekly meeting to honoring some of the hardest working citizens in Alpharetta with their annual Community Service Awards.

The club presented seven Alpharetta civil servants with awards recognizing the hard work and diligence that they put in everyday as they strive to better their community.

“This is a great day when we get to celebrate the people that make us all proud and serve our community,” said Rotary Club President John Hipes.

Duane Thacker was named “Volunteer of the Year” for his work mentoring disadvantaged young men at the Drake House and helping them rebuild their lives.

Thacker commented on how humbled he was just to be working with the volunteers at the Drake House. “I have been blessed to be able to work with all of God’s children at the Drake House; I’m amazed at how many people have been coming to help these families.”

MEREDITH IS REDDY

Meredith Reddy, a language arts teacher at Milton High School for 11 years was named “Milton High Teacher of the Year”. Reddy was credited for directing a successful Freshman Academy program at Milton. Along with her award at the Rotary Club, Reddy was also recognized as Fulton County’s High School Teacher of the Year.

Public Safety Director Gary George and Deputy Director Keith Sanders from the Alpharetta Police Department presented the next five awards. David Allen was presented with the “EMT of the Year” award for all his hard work with the emergency team. Before working as a paramedic for Alpharetta, Allen worked in Grady Hospital with the emergency team.

“I am just really taken aback because this is a job that I could do for no money,” Allen explained.

APD Detective Chris Free was awarded for his exemplary work on the police force and was named “Alpharetta Police Officer of the Year.” Detective Free has been on the Alpharetta police force for eight years and has done everything from writing tickets on his motorcycle to crime scene investigations.

“If you had a crime occur Chris is the guy that you would want to show up at your house and work that crime,” said George.

HAMMING IT UP

Carl Ham, project Manager of Communications in the APD, was awarded “Public Safety Employee of the Year.”

“If you are looking for someone to thank for that state of the art 911 center at the Alpharetta Police Department, thank Carl Ham. Carl worked vigorously to get the best equipment in that center and for the cheapest price,” explained George.

Jim Darling earned  “Alpharetta Fire Fighter of the Year” and Ben Bolin was recognized as  “Communications Officer of the Year.”