Houston’s retiring mayor was honored with the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award during the organization’s annual banquet Saturday.
Don Tottingham, who has served the community in the role the past eight years, received the top honor before a near capacity crowd inside the community building at the chamber fairgrounds. Tottingham is retiring in April.
Tottingham was recognized at the conclusion of the event that featured a Roaring ’20s theme with many attendees dressing in period-correct garb. A murder mystery was performed, Charleston dance lessons given and a dinner was catered by Miller’s Grill. A silent auction and giveaways were also part of the event.
Tottingham, a 1964 graduate of Cabool High School, began a Navy career that spanned 22 years before retiring to Houston, said Don Romines, who outlined the mayor’s service to Houston. Tottingham later joined the postal service in 1987 and was a carrier and performed computer installations for the U.S. Postal Service.
Romines said Tottingham went on to serve the community admirably, taking on tasks at the Houston United Methodist Church, serving on the Houston board of education for nine years and aiding Houston Citizens for Education that organizes an annual awards event for students.
For 23 seasons he was the announcer at Houston High School football games, coached youth sports, served on the Houston Planning and Zoning Commission and was the second instructor hired at Texas County Technical Institute.
In 2011, he was elected mayor of the Texas County seat. Through his tenure, Romines said, Tottingham provided leadership that brought improvements to the community: A northeast industrial park received roads and utilities and is ready to accommodate growth when the West Highway 17 park fills; new LED lights were installed on U.S. 63; water improvements occurred through the addition of a new well and tower; the Houston Memorial Airport was upgraded; an extension of C.W. Harry Drive was made and a new road – Lilly Avenue – connected West Highway 17 to Holder Drive; and U.S. 63 through town was expanded to four lanes. The city also added to its park offerings with the addition of Rutherford Park on the city’s west rim and 10 miles of walking trails that were developed.
“Don has always been a busy man,” Romines said. “He’s a great community leader, an asset to Houston.”
Romines also recognized Tottingham’s family making sacrifices when the mayor was required at meetings and community events.
Three other awards also were presented: Rowdy Douglas, a longtime law enforcement officer who returned to lead the Texas County Sheriff’s Department during a time of turmoil and was acting sheriff until an election was held, was recognized with the Public Service Award. Douglas’ dedication to law enforcement and rebuilding the department were highlighted by Lt. Brad Evans of the Houston Police Department on behalf of last year’s winner, David Kidwell, who was not able to attend.
The Outstanding Not-for-Profit Award went to Downtown Houston Inc. for its 20-year effort that brought many improvements to the downtown business district: The creation of the Lone Star Plaza, a public space that hosts events and a farmers market on Grand Avenue, new sidewalks and lighting downtown, the Houston Visitors Center that also houses the Houston Chamber of Commerce and the creation of the Lone Star Plaza Annex that features office space for University Extension, a commercial kitchen and a meeting room. Most recently, the group raised the money and restored the Melba Performing Arts Center and expanded it through the purchase of two adjoining buildings. Today, numerous events are held there.
The Outstanding Business Award went to the Durham Co. on its 25th anniversary in Houston. The manufacturer of electrical boxes employs about 250 workers and covers about 165,000 square feet at the Houston Industrial Park on West Highway 17. The importance of the firm and its significant role in the progress of Houston were highlighted. Richard Peterson, the plant manager, was recognized and gave a brief speech. The company started in a single building organized by a community fundraiser led by the Houston Development Co. and has expanded and is now housed in two large buildings on North Industrial Drive.
Some fundraisers for Houston’s largest civic organization, the chamber, also were held. Texas County Memorial Hospital won the table decorating award.