Boy Scouts Honor Community Advocate

Last Thursday, San Bernardino resident Jim Smith accepted the honor of being named 2014’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year, presented by the Boy Scouts of America’s Arrowhead District. Smith was recognized for his dedication to his community through service on various community committees and commissions, preserving San Bernardino’s history for future generations. The Boy Scouts of America Arrowhead District welcomes over 1,500 youth and over 750 adults, working with over 45 organizations to deliver the program to the area. Over 5,000 hours of community service has been given back to the area through the Boy Scouts’ Arrowhead District. Boy Scouts aims to develop physical, mental and moral skills in boys and young men, allowing youth to participate in challenging and fun activities while instilling values to help launch them on a successful course for life. Annually, the District honors one citizen who shows commitment and dedication to their community. The Oct. 16 ceremony was led by Tim Prince and Dennis Baxter, an invocation was given by Major Russell Fritz and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Life Scout Bill Monroe from Boy Scouts Troop 40. The keynote speaker of the event was San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Rutherford, Smith’s step-daughter, who touched anecdotally on the second question Smith typically asks those he meets: “Were you born in California?” as he hands you an application for the Native Sons of the Golden West. Rutherford listed a few qualities that all native Californians share in common: considering anything below 65 degrees as “jacket weather” and anything below 55 degrees as “freezing”; having “militant” opinions about what should go in a burrito; and never referring to San Francisco as ‘Frisco. However, “The number one sign that you’re a native Californian is that you know Jim Smith,” said Rutherford, to applause and laughter from the audience. “This is a man who stands up for what is good and right in San Bernardino and encourages people to do the same. He loves this community,” said Rutherford. “He loves people. He loves serving people, he loves being the connector of people because of that good heart and that optimism. That dedication, that passion and commitment carries through.” Smith is a member of several organizations and committees: Native Sons of the Golden West, 44 years; Elks Lodge #836, Flag Day chairman, 30 years; San Bernardino Historical Preservation Commission; the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce, Governmental Affairs Committee; and past president of Council #532, United Commercial Travelers. He has worked with the Boy Scouts annually in the Elks Flag Day ceremony. The Native Sons of the Golden West, the group for which Smith may be the most well known, is an organization dedicated to historical preservation. Founded in 1875, the organization welcomes members from all backgrounds who are California born. Smith thanked his family, Janice Rutherford, Dennis Baxter, Tim Prince, all members of the Native Sons of the Golden West, Arrowhead Parlor #110 and Santa Ana Parlor #74, the Boy Scouts of America Arrowhead District, and everyone in attendance that night. “This is a great honor, I’m very humbled. I wake up every day trying to find out how we can better our community,” said Smith. “That’s what I like to do with my time on this earth, is to put people together, to make things move forward… Every one of you has an integral part in moving this city, this county and this state forward.” Smith finished to applause, “Let’s keep the Boy Scouts going, because that’s our next generation. Let’s think how we can help not our generation, necessarily, but the next generation. And let’s bring San Bernardino back. That’s what we’re here for.”