Editor's Note: The poll closes at noon on Jan. 3, 2012.——— We had fun gathering our 12 nominees for Havre de Grace People of the Year 2011. It wasn't easy, though. In fact, we had tons of nominees. We want to hear from you, though, who you feel is the best candidate for Havre de Grace People of the Year 2011. While we won't name an "official" winner, this will be a good way to garner some extra props for one or two deserving nominees. They're all winners, after all. How many folks can claim they were named one of the People of the Year in their community? Check out the poll at the bottom of …

  Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via a submission form, email or on Facebook. JESS BOUSA It takes a lot of work to restore a church. And even more to restore a segment of a community's desire to attend church. Enter Jess Bousa. The New Jersey native and his wife, Elizabeth, moved to Havre de Grace last year, restoring an old church on Ontario Street—a small, white building with a partial view of the Susquehanna River. It wasn't ideal, Bousa said, but it was the right …

  Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via a submission form, email or on Facebook. KAREN GREEN Karen Green is a special person. To many, she may be just a recognizable face. To most in Havre de Grace, she's a friend. To some, she's a hero. With an infectious smile and a heart-warming laugh, Green has the ability to calm, motivate, inspire and refocus those around her. Simply by being Karen. Green maintains that magnetizing personality despite her physical hardships. Green …

  Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via a submission form, email or on Facebook. TOM BARNES To listen to the Lewis Lane Singers for five minutes alone is enough to understand the impact Tom Barnes has in Havre de Grace. Just check out the group's performance of the Millennium Prayer at City Hall around Thanksgiving. Barnes works not only with that segment of performers, but also with the HdG Drama Guild, which he founded in 2006. Barnes' performers recent wrapped up …

  Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via a submission form, email or on Facebook. ELLIE MENCER Finding a way to define Ellie Mencer is a challenge. That's because she has meant so much to so many in Havre de Grace. To quantify her impact on local business would be impossible. Mencer has worn a number of hats in Havre de Grace. Each of them has fit perfectly. Mencer lends her promotional support and advocates for local businesses regularly. She operates elliemencer.com, …

Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via a submission form, email or on Facebook. LARRY STRONG The Legend of Larry Strong began long before most legends take hold. Because Larry Strong is still going. And he's shown very few signs of slowing down. Strong is Mr. Little League in Havre de Grace—Mr. Baseball, perhaps. Strong has coached, umpired and gotten his hands dirty more than many in the city could imagine, just to improve the opportunity for the youth of Havre de Grace …

Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via a submission form, email or on Facebook. DON OSMAN For years, his home voicemail recording informed callers that they "have reached the Land of Oz." In Havre de Grace, Don Osman is like a wizard, working magic through volunteerism, opening avenues paved with golden yellow bricks for people in need. The retired English teacher has remained in the community, and continues to be just as active in retirement as he was during his 32-year …

Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via a submission form, email or on Facebook. TOM & CELESTE LLOYD In Feb. 2006, the wrestling program at Havre de Grace High School folded up camp, having labored desperately for two months with only three wrestlers on the roster. Flash-forward some six years, and the future of Havre de Grace wrestling has never looked brighter. Among those deserving credit for the rebirth of Havre de Grace junior wrestling is the Lloyd Family—Tom and …

  Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via a submission form, email or on Facebook. RICK HAUF At Havre de Grace High School, it's the music department that is often the face of the entire student body. It doesn't hurt that most of that student body is involved in some form or another with a music production. "(Hauf) gives it his all and then some. He understands the importance of music and how it can change one's life," Carol Sue Garrett Williams said on Patch's Facebook …

Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via a submission form, email or on Facebook. JOHN NARVELL If it's a major event in Havre de Grace, John Narvell is likely involved. Fourth of July parade, carnival and fireworks. The Halloween parade. Anything with the city's parks and recreation committee has Narvell's fingerprints. Narvell has been the president of the parks and rec committee since 1982. "He has worked tirelessly to improve the quality and availability of recreation …

  Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via a submission form, email or on Facebook. MEGHAN SIMMONS & BRIGITTE PETERS In short, these two women are integral in helping small businesses thrive in Havre de Grace.  "The way that they work with the entire community, and with Main Street, especially. All these little things that they do, they're wonderful," City Councilwoman Barbara Wagner said. Simmons has been called a "dynamo" and "firecracker" on repeated occasions by elected…

  Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via a submission form, email or on Facebook. WALT BILLER & MARA WASILIK Biller's Bikes isn't just a bike shop. This time of year, it's a Christmas Emporium. On Friday nights throughout the year, it doubles as a music venue. On Thursdays, it's the only motion picture theatre in town. National recording artists have visited. And for those who know Walt Biller and Mara Wasilik, they know the owners behind the shop aren't just local …

Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via a submission form, email or on Facebook.  SCOTT HURSTScott Hurst is the man at the helm of the city's volunteer fire department, the Susquehanna Hose Company. Chief Hurst, a career firefighter in Prince George's County, oversees a crew of more than 100 volunteer firefighters in Havre de Grace. In 2011, Hurst was a constant presence at City Hall, speaking out for public safety and playing an instrumental role in getting legislation …