Janice Houghton named as 'Citizen of the Year'
Published on November 12th, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - Stoneham resident Jan Houghton was named the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the year last week.
Floored by the news that she was chosen to receive the prestigious award, Houghton couldn't believe that she had been selected over a list of candidates including Selectman Cosmo Ciccarello, Tri-Community Bike Path advocate Cameron Bain, and Historical Society member Marcia Wengen, among others.
"I was actually overwhelmed, I just couldn't believe they selected me and it's quite an honor. I didn't think I had done quite enough for the community...I just didn't think I was in the same league as the other nominees," remarked Houghton.
Voted the Citizen of the Year by the town's citizens, Houghton will receive a plaque commemorating the honor on Saturday, Nov. 15 at this year's Crystal Ball ceremony. As the recipient of the award, Houghton will also reside over this year's holiday tree lighting ceremony at the Town Common.
President of Stoneham Bank, Houghton also serves as Chairwoman of the town's Retirement Board, as a member of the town's Fire Station Review Committee and as Chairwoman of the Stoneham Theatre's Board of Directors.
With her lengthy resume also listing community involvement as a former Board of Director of the Visiting Nurse's Association of Middlesex East, past President of Stoneham's Rotary Club, and Past President and Treasurer of Stoneham's Chamber of Commerce, those who know Houghton dismiss her perception that she lacked the community activism needed to become Stoneham's Citizen of the Year.
"Jan is a driving force in the community, and it's great to see her getting the recognition she deserves...We're grateful for everything she does," remarked Troy Siebels, Producing Director of Stoneham Theatre.
"My personal experience with her in regards to the Fire Station Review Committee has been nothing but positive. They say she's well-renowned within the community and I'm just glad she's been recognized for that," added Stoneham Fire Chief Lawrence Lamey.
Crediting her community drive and spirit to two generations of family dedicated and focussed on making Stoneham a better place, Houghton believes her mother, grandmother, and uncle had the greatest impact on her attitude towards public service.
"My grandmother had been involved with the Visiting Nurse's Association in the 40's and 50's and she asked that I volunteer too. My mother for years was involved with the Board of Health and my uncle Fred Mosley still serves on the Stoneham Housing Authority. They were kind of my role models when it came to getting involved and going to Town Hall and pitching in," explained Houghton.
Among her lengthy list of accomplishments, Houghton is most proud of becoming the first woman president of Stoneham Bank and her involvement on the town's Retirement Board.
"I'm really proud of my years of service on the Retirement Board and the fact that we're on a funding schedule. I think in comparison to other town's we've been more fiscally responsible so that in the year 2020 we'll be completely paid off," said Houghton.
"I'm also very proud of the fact that I'm the first woman president of the bank. When I got elected, it was a great day for me. I'm thrilled and I think we have very capable officers and female officers who will someday replace me," Houghton added.
Houghton also wished to send a message to the people of Stoneham and those who voted to make her Stoneham's Citizen of the Year.
"I just want to say that Stoneham's a great community and I'm glad to contribute to it because sometimes Stoneham just doesn't think well-enough of itself. I'm really glad to live and work here," said Houghton.
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