Roland Schirman Leads With Positivity

DAYTON - The Dayton Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year, Roland Schirman, is always looking at the bright side of every situ- ation.

Schirman said he always tries to be positive and espe- cially tries to make meeting and interacting with people positive.

And his mantra has drawn a group of friends so large he and his wife, Betty Schirman, often can't even get all of their Christmas cards out in time to be called Christmas cards.

"We have a mailing list with more than 400 names for holiday greetings," Schirman said.

Schirman said he often has to call them holiday cards because they often won't make it out in time for Christmas.

Schirman, who has lived in Dayton since October 1979, said Columbia County has been very good to him.

Schirman said if he has given anything to the commu- nity that people found inspiring or helpful, he isn't the one to thank for it.

"God is the one who should get all of the credit," Schirman said.

Schirman came to Columbia County from Pullman with his late wife, Carol Schirman, after a career in agriculture services to work as an extension agent for the Washington State University Extension Office.

In his time at the exten- sion office, Schirman said he worked with youths and 4-H groups exploring farming prac- tices and learning new ways to work in agriculture.

Schirman said he still does a lot around the county, admit- ting he finds himself in a lot of advisory positions since his retirement from the extension office.

In his free time, Schirman and his wife host different groups and people up to their summer home, the Weinhard House, for barbecues and dinners.

"God gave us the Weinhard House to share with the community," Schirman said. "We have about 300 people up there (throughout the year)."

Schirman said he also spends time volunteering at Booker Rest Home where he helps with four meals a week.

"I go to let (Booker resi- dents) know somebody cares about them," Schirman said.

Schirman's good nature and dedication to helping others were only two of many of the reasons Schirman was voted citizen of the year.

Chamber of Commerce Director BradMcMasterssaidSchirman is a vital and active member of the Dayton community.

"He's still out there getting things done," McMasters said. "It's impressive."

McMasters said he compiled all of the comments voters wrote about Schirman.

"I just hope people under- stand what I've done is what God has allowed me to do," Schirman said.