New Baltimore’s unsung heroes are once again being recognized for making a positive impact on the community.
The Citizens Advisory Committee recently revealed the recipients of the 2024 Citizen and Business of the Year awards: Longtime city resident Tim Webb and Alexanders Deli Diner.
The Citizen of the Year award is given to a New Baltimore resident or community group member who has substantively contributed to the quality of the city and the well-being of the residents. Nominations are collected and reviewed by the Citizens Advisory Committee in April.
Businesses are nominated by committee members, and awardees are decided with a majority vote of the committee.
Honorees are recognized during the annual Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival in June, as well as at a dinner event in August.
Citizen of the Year
Webb has lived in the city for more than 25 years. He is an active member of many local groups, such as the New Baltimore Civic Club, the Goodfellows and Bay-Rama. He is a member of the city’s Parks & Recreation Commission, volunteers for the Salvation Army and assists with the annual Anchor Bay Country Fest at Walter and Mary Burke Park. He currently serves as 2nd Vice President of the New Baltimore Lions Club and earned the prestigious Lions Club Melvin Jones Award in 2022 due to his devotion to the organization.
Webb was nominated by several people, as well as his daughter, Melissa Webb.
“My dad enjoys giving back to the community and is committed to making New Baltimore a fun and safe place,” she said in her nomination letter. “He wants New Baltimore to be a place where people are happy to live or look forward to visiting. I have witnessed first-hand how much my dad cares about the city and its residents. He has dedicated countless hours of his time over the last decade to enhancing New Baltimore.”
In addition, she also said Webb advocates for the city’s small businesses and restaurants.
“He is incredibly deserving of the Citizen of the Year Award,” she wrote. “My dad’s constant volunteerism has undoubtedly made a positive impact on the city. His dedication continues to contribute to the quality of New Baltimore and the well-being of its residents.”
Additionally, Webb’s supporters said he is dedicated and dependable. He is described as an “unsung hero” of New Baltimore in a nomination letter submitted on behalf of Denise Duffy, Ally Ryder, Bernie Krupa, Bob Grier and other citizens.
“Tim is a genuine, down-to-earth person,” the letter reads. “He’s sociable and has a good sense of humor. He is a hard worker. If you don’t know Tim you should. He will be a fine representative in his capacity of Citizen of the Year. He’s a long time resident who loves his city and shows it in his actions.”
Business of the Year
Alexanders Deli Diner opened in early 2022 in the Plaza at the Pointe shopping center on 23 Mile Road, west of Jefferson Avenue. The business, owned by Pam and Milt Arvanitidis, was nominated for the award by Citizens Advisory Committee member Bill Blount and selected for the following reasons:
• Great food.
• Great owners who are community minded.
• Employees always give good service and always greet customers with a smile.
• They support all first responders and military. They have a son in the U.S. Army who is stationed in Germany as a commander.
• Cleanliness of the restaurant.
• At Christmastime, they collect food, clothing and toys for local charities.
• Good Christian family.
• Support of local events.
Milt Arvanitidis said they decided to start their small business in New Baltimore because of the Anchor Bay community.
“It wasn’t a tough decision for us but we knew it would be challenging in February of 2022 with COVID-19 still around,” he said in a letter acknowledging the award. “Like all new business it wasn’t easy. Long hours, hard work. We pushed our business to a new level. Two years later we achieved a new level with the award as “Business of the Year.” We knew we would defy the odds.”
Their secret weapon? The menu, Milt Arvanitidis said.
“The homemade meals, soups (made daily) sauces and staff,” he said in the letter. “Our customers have come to love our homemade sausages and savory soups. We have amazing sandwiches with the Mason’s Mayham becoming an absolute customer favorite.”
“We strive every day to put the best product out to our customers,” he added.
Alexanders Deli Diner is located at 35254 23 Mile Road in New Baltimore. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays and Mondays, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information, call 586-716-5700, or visit alexandersdelidiner.com or facebook.com/AlexandersDD.
