Beryl P. Robinson Jr. Receives
NC Chamber's Elza Kilroy Award
Press Release, 12/10/2007
Retired city manager Beryl P. Robinson Jr. has been named recipient of the 2007 Elza Kilroy Award for outstanding community service.
The prestigious Kilroy Award, established in 1969, is presented annually by the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to a citizen whose efforts help make Nevada City a better community.
Robinson retired in 2002 after serving as Nevada City's city manager for 37 years. Under his administration, the city completed the landmark Downtown Betterment Project in 1972.
Other highlights in his lengthy public service career include reconstruction of City Hall and the Pine Street bridge, addition of the Commercial Street parking lot, the new Providence Mine fire station and upgrades of the city's water and sewer systems.
Robinson, now 72, was born in Nevada City in 1935 and became part of the first graduating class at Nevada Union High School in 1953. He attended Sierra College and went on to UC Berkeley, where he graduated with a degree in business.
He was elected to the Nevada City Council in 1964, serving a year in elective office until his appointment as city manager.
Today, Robinson enjoys retirement with his wife, Betty, at their Banner Mountain home. He has two children and five granddaughters.
The award winner remains active in the community and is an avid coin trading hobbyist. He's a member of the Nevada City Elks, Nevada City Masons and 49er Breakfast Rotary Club of Nevada City.
"It's a great honor to be considered for the Elza Kilroy Award," he said. "When you consider all of the people who have received it, it's just wonderful to be part of that group that has done so much for Nevada City."
The Kilroy Award is one of several annual awards presented by the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce. Other 2007 recipients are:
- Photographic artist David McKay, a longtime city resident and current City Councilman, is the recipient of the 2007 Dr. Leland and Sally Lewis Visual Arts Award.
- Performing artist Alvis LeGate, who has been acting in local productions for 20 of his 28 years and starred this year in the popular "A Few Good Men," is the recipient of the Dr. Leland and Sally Lewis Performing Arts Award.
- The W. Lon Cooper New Construction Award, named after the late Planning Commission leader, is being awarded to owner Jill Caruthers and building contractor Chuck Slavonic, both of Nevada City, for rebuilding the historic apartment building that burned at the corner of Main and Cottage street. The project was completed in 2007 in a manner that complements Nevada City's historic architecture.
- Local residents Mike Good and Joan Girdler are being recognized with the 24th Annual Stan Halls Architectural Award for their reconstruction in 2006 and 2007 of the historic Wright home at 548 East Broad Street.
- The Nevada Union High School Choir is the recipient of the chamber's 2007 Live Music Award. The choir, under the direction of Rodney Baggett, has performed widely and has won competitions in the U.S. and Europe. In the Spring of 2008, the choir is scheduled to perform at the American Choral Conductors Association Western Division Convention. This is among the highest honors a choir can achieve.
The award winners were nominated and selected by the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
The awards will be presented at the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce 106th Annual Installation and Awards Dinner on Saturday, Jan 26, at Miners Foundry. For dinner information and reservations, call the chamber office at 265-2692.
