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City of Anderson honors longtime community leaders at Parks & Recreation recognition ceremony
Summary
The City of Anderson’s Parks & Recreation board honored several longtime community servants with engraved bricks and brief family remarks; Mayor Thomas Broderick Jr. praised parks staff and noted the city maintains about 30 parks.
Betty Williams, president of the Parks & Recreation board for the City of Anderson, opened a public recognition ceremony on a hot summer day to honor local residents and community leaders whose names will be engraved on commemorative bricks at a city park.
The event, which Williams said the board has run since 2015, featured brief biographies read aloud for each honoree, comments from family members and a greeting from Mayor Thomas Broderick Jr. The mayor thanked organizers and park staff and noted, "It's hard to believe, but a city this size, we have 30 parks," praising crews who maintain the system.
Williams introduced each honoree in alphabetical order and read highlights of their civic and professional contributions. Among those recognized were Larry Contos, whose leadership of Payless Supermarkets and local real estate projects and restaurant ventures were cited; Marsha (Marcia) Duncan, lauded for decades of philanthropic and community work; Reverend Manuel Louis Hunt, noted for founding the Anderson Madison County Black Chamber and for workforce and outreach initiatives; John "Jack" Lutz, a longtime public servant with county and state experience; Doris Pat Raymore, who founded local gospel-music chapters and mentored youth; Dr. Thomas J. Robinson Sr., recognized for longstanding pastoral leadership and programs supporting job training and poverty-to-prosperity work; and Wilbur S. Roby, honored for decades of banking leadership and civic philanthropy.
Family members accepted several honors and addressed the crowd. A family member accepting for Larry Contos said, "My dad loved Anderson," and thanked organizers. A speaker accepting for Reverend Hunt asked for continued prayers and community commitment. Camille, accepting for Wilbur Roby, thanked the committee and shared a memory of Roby’s childhood home.
Williams thanked volunteers and staff — including Jill McMillan and Tom Tackett — and noted arrangements for refreshments and future nominations. The ceremony concluded with thanks to Anderson TV for recording and to all attendees.
The recognition is ceremonial; no formal city action or vote was taken at the event. The Parks & Recreation board said it will solicit nominations again for next year’s program.
