The past Los Osos Citizens of the Year gathered earlier this month to select the 2024 Citizen of the Year out of an outstanding pool of 36 nominations, the most ever received. The public was invited to nominate any Los Osos resident or business owner who they consider to be a true “hero of Los Osos!”

The nominations were long and impressive and included many people who will certainly be future Citizens of the Year. The selection committee especially appreciated those nomination forms that included extensive information about the nominee. Longer nominations with details about the different areas and the length of time the nominee has been serving the community were important. Nominations with comprehensive and wide-ranging descriptions of their service to Los Osos provided the Citizen of the Year Committee with enough substance and content to be able to make an effective choice. But it was still difficult because of the quality of the nominees.

The criteria for Citizen of the Year is:

1) Outstanding service and proven dedication to benefit Los Osos over a sustained period of time.

2) Involvement in multiple community efforts to benefit Los Osos over a period of time, such as: education, beautification, environment, service or organizations, youth, seniors, churches, business, non-profits, conservations, politics, community service, etc.

3) Must live, work, or own a business in Los Osos.

The 2024 nominees have all contributed to Los Osos and their photos and nominations can be seen on the new Citizen of the Year website: www.citizensoftheyear.com There you will see the breadth and depth of the heroes of Los Osos.

After much thought and discussion it was decided to select two Citizens of the Year: Al Strunk and Dean Sullivan.

It is fitting that Al Strunk be posthumously recognized for his extraordinary contributions to our community. While his loss is deeply felt, honoring him as Citizen of the Year is a meaningful tribute to the life he lived and the love he shared with Los Osos. His contributions were not limited to visible acts of service; Al was a quiet encourager, lifting up others with his words and actions. He believed deeply in the power of community and worked tirelessly to nurture the connections that bind us together. His legacy of care and compassion will continue to influence Los Osos for years to come.

In an era dominated by the flashing headlines of national news outlets and the rapid-fire tempo of social media updates, the humble local newspaper remains a steadfast pillar in small communities across America. Dean Sullivan and his Estero Bay News have been committed to preserving local stories in the expansive landscape of news, the milestones of small communities are often overlooked and overshadowed. While it is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of global events, the stories from our own backyard often have the most profound impact on our daily lives. To Los Osos, the Estero Bay News is more than just a publication. It is a chronicle of history, the very essence of our town, a platform for dialogue and most importantly, a binding force that weaves the fabric of the community together.

Look around you. Who is doing great things for Los Osos? Keep your eyes open for MORE heroes in Los Osos. They really are everywhere. We are so fortunate. Nominations will be open for the 2025 Citizen of the Year on October 1 on the Citizens of the Year website.

A celebration honoring Al Strunk and Dean Sullivan will be held this spring and the public will invited.

Watch this space for details..