One of the most eloquent and

One of the most eloquent and

charismatic speakers at a public

hearing on the school budget last

veur was BUI Dietel. He stood at the

podium addressing a full auditorium and spoke to the educational needs of Ruppuhunnock County from the perspective of one who has seen it improve over the last 25 years. Bill and his wife. Linda, do not have any children in the Rappahannock County School System He could well have left the speaking to others - to those with children in the system or he could have joined the ranks of those who are tired of supporting a school budget perceived as out of line with their ability to puy. Bill Dietel went beyond that by addressing the dangers of an undereducated populace literally beseeching those present to not waiver in the lace of fear but rather to stay committed to providing the students of Rappahannock County the very best that was possible to give them. Dietel did not want to see a reversal of how far education had come in Rappahannock since his choosing to make this county his home. His words were sincere, caring and delivered with intense passion and energy. Dietel’s act that evening was not a solitary gesture. It is one example of the consummate enthusiasm and dedication thut Bill Dietel has to the community of Rappahannock County and this yeur it is being recognized as Bill, along with his wife Linda, are named the 2007 Citizens of the Yeur.

Bill and Lindu Dietel ure being honored jointly as Citizens of the Year. This is very fitting us the two ure a team in every sense of the word. Bill is not alone in his remarkahle record of service to Rappuhannock County and the entire Piedmont area.

Linda is equally involved. She jft Jk former Board member of the Lord FairfaX-Community College Foundation Board, former Chairman of the Child Care and Learning Center, one *f the original founders and the first Chairperson for Headwaters, one of the original creators and past Board member of the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, and one of the creators and a current Board inember for the Rappahannock Nonprofit Center. At the Nonprofit Center, she has been instrumental in the current effort to convert the old Sperryville School into a community center.

Their list of achievements is truly incredible. After resigning as Chairman of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in 19S7, Bill Dietel continued running his own business as a consultant to philanthropic organizations. Despite a busy schedule, including frequent business tnps overseas, he involved himself in