Doug Denton with Halleck Award

Denton is the owner/operator of Denton & Son Building Supplies. He has served seven years as town board president, and six years a board member. He has been president of the Monterey Lions Club for 17 years. He created the first Neighborhood Watch in Pulaski County for the town of Monterey and holds quarterly public meetings with the Sheriff to keep residents safe, protected, and informed. He has served as president and member of the Monterey Days Festival Board for several years to organize and provide a fun and safe weekend annually for everyone to enjoy. He has served as vice president of the Emergency Management Board of Pulaski County for seven years, and is a seven-year member of the Pulaski County Community Development Committee.

The Halleck Award selection committee notes that Denton “generously gives of his time to serve the town of Monterey and its residents, as well as Pulaski County by being a strong leader and putting others’ needs first. He is always looking for ways to save the town and the county money and works hard to keep the budget balanced and making sure things that need done get done legally, timely, and correctly.”

The selection committee adds that through Denton’s dedication and commitment to service, “you will find him daily checking on items needing repaired and replaced in town, solving problems and disputes between neighbors, changing a flat or providing a meal or ride to someone in need, tracking down lost pet owners, checking on security and safety of residents by making sure all the bulbs are lit in the town park at night or nothing sharp is in the roadway and all the street signs are visible and straight. He can always be found doing something that benefits someone daily. Doug’s diligence in problem solving and his caring personality make him very approachable and enables him to have good community relations to get things done and inspire confidence to those he assists.”

The committee also listed the following accomplishments, activities, and involvement of Denton in community:

• He personally made the stage for the Monterey Days Festival and Miss Tippy Teen Contest in 2019.
• He has repaired and made rolling carts for Pulaski County Human Service Food Pantry at no charge when asked to help.
• He annually organizes community and Lions members to help facilitate the Food Finders Van loading donated food into trunks of the needy.
• He made all the “Welcome to Monterey” sign posts and annually treats the wooden posts himself.
• He waters the flowers in the park at Monterey from May to September for the Lions beautification project.
• He has unplugged drains in flooded streets, buried poor kitties found on the roads, and is always quick to volunteer and lend a hand to someone in need.
• Lowering the flags in town to show respect for the deceased is his privilege and honor.
• He worked diligently with former Senator Joe Donnelly to try to get more medical care help for local veterans and Narcan for the fire department.

“Denton’s strength and compassion show through in all he does,” the selection committee reports. “He takes his roles and commitments seriously and to the best of his ability, all with a smile. His positive ‘yes, we can’ attitude and his sense of duty benefit everyone he assists. He is a wonderful friend, neighbor, and public servant who always puts people and their needs and security first for little if any recognition.”

About the Halleck Award

The Halleck award was first presented by the Chamber in 1979 to its namesake, the late Dr. Harold J. Halleck. Last year's recipient was Betty Kruger of Francesville. The 2020 recipients, Paul and Brenda Gilsinger also received their award last year due to a delay because of the pandemic.

The Chamber notes that every town, every city is blessed with a handful of individuals who selflessly donate their time, energy, and hard work to make their community a better place for everyone to live. Such individuals often give this time and energy for years without the gratitude and recognition they deserve. 

In order to recognize such outstanding individuals, the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce awards the H.J. Halleck Community Service Award to one deserving individual each year.

Halleck Award Recipients

Halleck Award recipients are: