The Lunenburg County Chamber of Commerce has named Rodney Newton the Citizen of the Year and Hood Brothers Garage the Business of the Year for 2015.

“This award is quite an honor and I am humbled by receiving it, and am glad that I am able to give back to the community,” Newton said.

Newton is chief of the Victoria Fire and Rescue Department, administrator of the Kenbridge Rescue Squad, and, on Feb. 1, will begin a six-month stint as interim Victoria town manager.

Newton was hired in September to oversee a reorganization of the Kenbridge squad and given a list of duties that include reinstatement of its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, revision of its by-laws, increasing membership, improving call response times, implementing financial policies, and retaining grants from the state.

Meanwhile, Hood Brothers Auto Sales is family owned and operated and has been since 1948.

Its website notes that the company began as a simple automotive service repair shop in the county but, “throughout the years, with the leadership skills and professional character of family owned management,” grew to be a professional automotive dealership. The business contains not only a mechanic shop, but also a body shop and detail shop.

“Hood Brothers Auto Sales does it all,” the company boasts on its website. “We believe in honesty, integrity and good character with a Christian perspective. We invite anyone, anywhere to ask someone else about Hood Brothers. Our reputation speaks for itself.”

The recognitions were made during the Lunenburg Chamber Annual Meeting & Banquet on Friday, Jan 15.

The chamber of commerce consists of merchants, business professionals, civic leaders and residents who desire to enhance the economic opportunities in the county. Members also share an interest in maintaining the unique appeal of Lunenburg County as it continues to promote positive economic growth, the organization’s website says.