It was a night for accolades at the Monday evening Town of Elon Board of Aldermen meeting Monday night. Next week, the board plans to discuss restricted parking on Nov. 11 at 6 p.m.
Alamance County Sen. Rick Gunn presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, an honor bestowed on those who have exceptionally served the state, to Chuck Gantos, a former Elon University director of campus safety and police.
This prestigious award was initiated in 1965 by The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society to promote pride in North Carolina citizens about their state. About 15,000 of the awards have been issued to date.
Gantos received this award due to his commitment to his service with the Elon Fire Department, as well as the passion he showed for the Elon community and the state of North Carolina.
“Chuck should be proud of himself,” Gunn said. “What he has done should make him very happy.”
Past notable recipients of the award include Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey and Mayo Angelou. Some closer to home are Earl Danieley and former Town of Elon Mayor Beth Schmidt.
Schmidt also bestowed upon the board a present — a piece of artwork given to her by Shirley White, a member of the Board of Alderman from 1975-1979 who recently passed away.
“She gave this to me, and I, on the other hand, want to give this to the town,” Schmidt said.