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December 2005 • Volume 2, Issue 12 This issue home | Past issues | Chamber home Former Mayor Martha Ritter Receives Economic Development Award From Chamber Martha Ritter, a former mayor of the City of Richardson and a past chairman of the Richardson Chamber was awarded the Richardson Chamber of Commerce's 2005 Ernest J. Randall, Jr. Economic Development Leadership Award. The award was presented by the current Mayor Gary Slagel at the Chamber's 23rd Annual Business & Industry Appreciation Luncheon, attended by more than 300 business executives, civic officials and community leaders, at The Richardson Hotel on Nov. 3. Created by the Chamber in 2001, the award honors an individual or company for contributions to the city's economic vitality as measured, in part, by job creation and commercial tax base additions. Other criteria for the award include the number, magnitude, and length of time over which contributions were made; the business and personal risks taken; loyalty to Richardson as evidenced by the nominee's choice of business location or personal residence; plus their volunteer and civic contributions that have benefited the community. “Martha Ritter has a long list of her public service contributions to the City of Richardson, the Chamber, the arts, medical and education sectors; service organizations,” said Mayor Slagel. “These include:
as well as many other leadership positions in civic organizations and awards.” “Among the many achievements during her tenure as mayor, Judge Ritter positioned the city to have the lowest tax rate of any city over 50,000 population in Texas while yet being named as number one city in the nation for efficient city services; she formed the first city Arts Commission; and she was originator of the Richardson Neighborhood Integrity Program, the first of its kind in this area. “One of her more controversial positions was support for the creation of a LBJ-type loop across the northern border of Richardson. At the time, in the mid-80s, local public opinion for the City of Richardson contributing financially to construction of such an expensive major transportation artery in proximity to the City was divided, to say the least,” said Mayor Slagel. “Nevertheless, Martha was firm in her support and her vision of the long-range benefits of such a mass transportation route above 635 so Richardson supported this project.” “However, her position on this issue probably cost her the next election,” Slagel said. “But,” he added, “almost 20 years later, the significant impact and positive value of the President George Bush Turnpike/Highway 190 transportation route for Richardson is obvious to all." Reading the inscription on the award plaque, Mayor Slagel concluded: “In recognition of her many contributions to the city of Richardson; for her vision, courage and perseverance in preparing the Highway 190 Corridor to ensure Richardson's future economic prosperity; and for the spirit of enthusiasm and dedication which she continues to demonstrate towards the city she loves -- Richardson, Texas, we present the Ernest Randall Jr. Economic Development Leadership Award to Martha Ritter.” The Ernest J. Randall, Jr. Economic Development Leadership Award is named after the 1977 chairman of the Chamber, who has been a long-time dedicated community leader and volunteer. Randall convinced the development company he worked for, The Vantage Companies, to build some of the first speculative office-tech facilities in Richardson during the 1970's and has been active in the commercial real estate industry ever since. Randall was the first recipient of the award in 2001. The award winner in 2002 was longtime Richardson Mayor Ray Noah, who provided the leadership and vision that positioned Richardson to capitalize on the unprecedented business expansions of the 1990s. The award-winner in 2004 was James Von Ehr II, founder, CEO and chairman of the board of Zyvex Corporation.
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