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> Tell us about your memories, experiences with Choppy
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Friends, family and colleagues showered James "Choppy" Saunders with praise Saturday night, April 26, as one of Middletown's most respected residents received honors from the city, the county, the state and the nation.
Middfest International held a gala at the Manchester Inn in honor of Saunders, 89, who in 1970 became the first black man to be elected to Middletown's city commission, and later became its chairman.
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"I have never met a finer man in my life," said Butler County Commissioner Don Dixon, who presented a proclamation commemorating Saunders' achievements. Similar proclamations were made by the Middletown mayor and state Rep. Courtney Combs.
Congressman John Boehner made an unscheduled appearance, saying he had mentioned Saunders in Congress' official record last week.
Former City Manager Dale Helsel, who served when Saunders was on the city commission, could not attend, but sent a statement that said, "When Choppy talked, people listened. He had only one agenda and that was serving the good people of this city."
Saunders also has served in leadership roles for Middfest, Armco (now AK) Steel and the United Way, among many other groups. Many have credited him with easing racial tensions at Armco and in the city during his tenure.
Other speakers offered personal remembrances as well. Pat Hill recalled the days when Saunders supervised teen dances at Douglass Park. Hill is the widow of Robert "Sonny" Hill, who followed in Saunders' footsteps on the city commission.
"We were in love with your daddy," Hill confessed to one of Saunders' daughters. "We called him 'Casanova.' "
A visibly moved Saunders said, "I appreciate this very, very much ... I've never experienced anything like this in my life. Middfest has been good to this community and I hope it continues on."
Saunders retired from his role as president of Middfest's board; Mel Cohen will take his place, and Saunders will become president emeritus.
Comments
By THE FAMILY
May 2, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
CHOPPY,
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU. YOU ARE THE MAN. YOU ARE A CLASS ACT
YOUR FAMILY
By alex and edwina
April 28, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
Met Choppy and Ester at their Florida Winter Residence.The first to reach out and lend a helping hand to the new snowbirds.Plesant,gracious and helpful.Congrats choppy hope to see you in November
By alex and edwina
April 28, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Met Choppy and Ester at their Florida Winter Residence.The first to reach out and lend a helping hand to the new snowbirds.Plesant,gracious and helpful.Congrats choppy hope to see you in November
By alex and edwina
April 28, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Met Choppy and Ester at their Florida Winter Residence.The first to reach out and lend a helping hand to the new snowbirds.Plesant,gracious and helpful.Congrats choppy hope to see you in November
By Cheryl Wilson Cofield
April 27, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
I first talked with Choppy Saunders when I decided I want to be a U. S. Senator during my middle, freshman, high school and college academic years and through my community service participation I especially began to comprehend what it means to conform. I and my husband Henry Cofield soon joined the local historical society and became life members. Then, I decided to write a book about local history including prominent African American family history stories. I began to research and write about him when the city celebrated its Revolutionary War celebration during my 1975-76 high school academic years and its’ Bicentennial celebrations. Now, since Middfest International is sponsoring a dinner in his honor it is the perfect opportunity for me to finish my book about James W. “Choppy” Saunders and his newly created DVD with or without music. Orders are being taken at the Middfest International office located at One Donham Plaza or call (513) 425-7707.