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Warren's Samuel Jones Award to Ackley

Mike Ackley (left), of Warren, gets a big hug from his mother, Ruthann Ackley, after being named the 2015 Samuel Jones Pioneer Award winner on Friday, July 3, at the Knight Bergman Civic Center. The award kicks off the 48th annual Salamonie Summer Festival, which runs July 3, 4 and 5 in Warren.
Mike Ackley (left), of Warren, gets a big hug from his mother, Ruthann Ackley, after being named the 2015 Samuel Jones Pioneer Award winner on Friday, July 3, at the Knight Bergman Civic Center. The award kicks off the 48th annual Salamonie Summer Festival, which runs July 3, 4 and 5 in Warren. Photo by Rebecca Sandlin.

Mike Ackley said he was duped into coming to the 27th annual Samuel Jones Pioneer Award Breakfast on Friday, July 3.

It was only 15 minutes before he came forward to accept Warren’s most distinguished award that he found out he was the winner.

“I didn’t have a clue. I didn’t think it was me. I was told it was somebody else and I was here for them,” Ackley said. “I’m overwhelmed.”

The 2014 winner, Rose Broyles, presented the award to Ackley, who had owned Ackley Automotive in Warren for nearly 20 years.

“When I think of who would be most deserving of this award, I think of none other than a former business owner and he has lived his entire life in the great town of Warren,” she said to a room filled nearly to capacity at the Knight Bergman Center. “What an honor it is to pass this on to someone more deserving.”

In addition, Warren Clerk-Treasurer Marilyn Morrison presented the Key to the Town to Ackley, who was still reeling from having received the plaque for the Samuel Jones Pioneer Award.

“This isn’t me,” he explained. “I’m not up in front of the people. I’m usually back here, doing something back here, and get it done. But I’m thrilled to death.”

Ackley, and his wife, Cammy, have faithfully helped with the Salamonie Summer Festival, chairing for many activities in the community, including the demolition derby, the festival parade and musical concerts.

Ackley was also a volunteer EMS driver and a member of SAMS.

Broyles said Ackley has helped improve the quality of life in Warren and has demonstrated his passion for the community.

“While running his business, Mike would often go to the homes of his customers to pick them up, drive them to work or run errands with them,” she said. “For 20 years or so he would not hesitate to answer his phone in the middle of the night to help a neighbor in need who had a flat tire on the interstate, or had a dead battery. He would go the extra mile, without compensation, but was content to know he helped a friend. The compassion and dedication that he has shown through the selflessness and giving to his town is undeniable.”

Even after he was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer three years ago, Ackley is still giving back to Warren, Broyles said.

“He is always talking about his bucket list of which he still has a list of jobs to accomplish,” she added. “I think this award would be a perfect opportunity to help him see what a blessing he has been in the lives of so many.”

The award is named for the founder of Warren, Samuel Jones, who first spied out the area as a young soldier in the War of 1812. He settled in the area in 1832 and platted out the town in 1836, later becoming a representative in the state legislature. Jones was also devoted to providing an education to area children and hired a private teacher in 1834, with his first home donated as the county’s first school.

A large contingent of Ackley’s family, including his wife, daughters Nicole Rooks and Leslie Fowler and his mother, Ruthann Ackley, were on hand to congratulate him on the honor.

He then followed tradition, formally announcing the opening of the 2015 Salamonie Summer Festival, themed “Home of the Free Because of the Brave.” He was set to appear in the parade in the 48th annual parade through Warren on Friday evening.

The town’s seventh Community Service Award was presented to Bill and Marilyn Bradford, and their daughters, Lydia, Hayley and Shelby.

Claudia Boxell said the Bradfords were chosen for the award for their dedication to keeping the Knight Bergman Civic Center clean and ready for use, a task the family has worked together on for close to two decades. She said it all began in 1998, when Marilyn Bradford was bringing her daughter Lydia to the center for basketball practice.

“While there, Marilyn observed the mop buckets sitting in the hallway, just waiting for a volunteer to use them,” Boxell recalled. “Being a ‘clean freak’ – a nickname given to her by her daughters – and knowing the civic center depends on volunteers, she decided to take action.”

She began cleaning the facility regularly, enlisting the help of her husband and the rest of the family, in a process that takes from five to six hours at a time.

Bill and Marilyn Bradford also help with the volleyball tournament during the Salamonie Summer Festival.

“The community should be very proud and thankful to have such dedicated volunteers who help to make the KnightBergman Civic Center a community asset,” Boxell said. “Their commitment to our community and the pride that they show for this great little town through their service sets them apart and speaks highly of their characters.”