Robbins, Lusher, Brase Elected to PCDI Board

New board of director members to Prowers County Development Incorporated were elected during the economic development group’s annual banquet and meeting, Wednesday, February 27, at the Rodeway Cow Palace Inn.

Lawrence Brase was re-elected as a board member and Larry Lusher of Farmer-Stockman Realty & Auction LLP and Rick Robbins of Colorado Mills were elected as new members. Outgoing president Cathy Buxton decided not to run for re-election. Board member, Marsha Willhite, facilitated the banquet meeting and said the new members will join the board at the next monthly PCDI meeting, on March 26. There are nine members on the PCDI board which includes one representative from the Lamar City Council and one from the Prowers County Commissioners. Each of the candidates present, Larry Lucius, Larry Lusher and Lawrence Brase were introduced and provided two minutes each to make a statement regarding their background in Prowers County and what they hoped to bring to PCDI as a board member. Shawna Hodge and Rick Robbins were not in attendance for the banquet.

Prior to the balloting, Willhite introduced various members of the community to the audience including the Prowers County Commissioners, members of the Lamar City Council as well as City Administrator John Sutherland, John Marrin, LCC President and civic representatives from the town boards of Holly, Granada and Wiley and members of the business community in the county.

In lieu of a featured speaker, PCDI executive director, Lisa Nolder, highlighted four local businesses for recognition awards. Kevin Swanson accepted for Colorado Mills in Lamar, Brad Simon for Gateway Products in Holly, Larry Lucius of L & L Green House of Holly and Doug Thrall for the Rodeway Cow Palace Inn. The businesses were noted for their expansion of operations or businesss retention such as the Cow Palace Inn, which over the past two years, has undergone a remake and remodeling and now employs 35 persons under new ownership. Gateway Products was noted for being a long-lived family operation in the Holly community which has received state recognition as a “Business to Watch” for its product development and hiring expansion. L & L Greenhouse was noted as a PCDI business expansion award winner for 2012..

Cathy Buxton, outgoing president was presented with a plaque highlighting her continued service and dedication to the community through her business, Wallace Gas and Oil, as well as her service to the community through PCDI membeship, dating back to 1991.

by Russ Baldwin