Monticello names Citizens and Employee of the Year

Steve and Carma Young were honored for their years of dedicated service when they were named the Citizens of the Year by the City of Monticello.
The Youngs were set to receive their award at the annual holiday music concert at Monticello High School on December 13. The annual award is presented each year by the Monticello City Council. In addition, Mark Robinson was named Monticello City Employee of the Year by the City Council.
The Monticello City Council solicits nominations for Citizen of the Year from the community. A large number of local residents are considered for the honor each year.
Even though the Youngs are involved in a wide variety of community activities, it is their work with the Victims of Mill Tailings Exposure (VMTE) Committee that got the attention of the City Council.
After the premature death of his brother Frank Young due to radioactive exposure, Steve Young completed a term on the Monticello City Council. He was instrumental in the establishment of the VMTE and the city Economic Development committees.
A letter of support for the Youngs stated that they organized the VMTE committee, which is dedicated to dealing with the aftermath of decades of community exposure to radioactive mill tailings from the Monticello uranium mill.
While a Superfund cleanup project removed the waste from the local environment, the health impact of the exposure continues for many local residents.
The Youngs were instrumental in seeking funds to help alleviate the costs of medical screening and health care for the uncompensated victims of the uranium mill.
To date, nearly one million dollars has been secured, with much of the funding going directly into the local health care systems.
A kiosk at the mill site was dedicated in 2010, dedicated to the memory of the victims of exposure to the uranium mil tailings.
The letter of recommendation states that the Youngs have worked tirelessly and endlessly and ends by saying, “Our community is a better place because of them, their vision, and their dedication.”
Steve and Carma are graduates of Monticello High School and have spent their lives in the community. Steve is an owner of Young’s Machine, while Carma is an integral part of the San Juan School District, where she serves as secretary to the superintendent.
Mark Robinson was named employee of the year by the city council after he received a number of nominations to be citizen of the year. Robinson is a familiar face to Monticello residents. He completes a number of assignments for the city, but he gained fame for his work behind the wheel of the city garbage truck.
Robinson is known for going far beyond the call of duty on his routes. His friendly manner and hard work are a continual matter of conversation in the community.