Business and local leaders gathered at the Uintah Conference Center on Thursday evening for the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards dinner. Having been established in 1949, the gathering celebrated the 75th anniversary of the organization. Utah State Treasurer Marlo Oaks was the special guest speaker and he focused his remarks on the topic of ESG which stands for Environmental Social Governance. Oaks stated that the underlying politics are not necessarily the problem but the fact that ESG is pushing politics at all is the problem. He encouraged all to become educated on what is happening to change the economic system. The meeting presented a variety of awards, including five Businesses of the Year: Four Star Ranch in Agriculture, the Uintah Basin Association of Government in Government, Greylock Energy in Manufacturing/Industry, B&D RV Sales and Service in Retail/Wholesale, and V6 Media in Service. Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion was named the Total Citizen of the Year. The meeting wrapped up with some business items but not before a special recognition was given to someone retiring after many years of very active involvement in and working for the Vernal Area Chamber. The stage filled with the Dinah-Mite members as Marilyn Wallis was called up front to be thanked for her years of service and all she has done for the Vernal community over 24 years of involvement with the Chamber.
