CCEP Late CEO Mike Flanagan Honored, Memorialized at Holiday Party
By Christopher Miller
LOCK HAVEN – It was a celebration of a life that ended too soon for one of Clinton County’s own Wednesday night at the Sons of Italy in Lock Haven.
Clinton County Economic Partnership President Mike Flanagan, who passed away on Sunday, September 29, was honored and remembered at the annual Holiday Party through a video tribute presentation and stories.
“We are celebrating the fact that he was a friend and a genuine member of our community,” acting CEO and Partnership Board President Dave Harger said. “The staff came up with an idea a week ago to memorialize Mike as one of our twelve bald eagle statues that will be making their way into our community shortly. In his honor, one of these will be at the Partnership building resembling Mike: a concept of a bald eagle with a signature moustache, necktie, and possible meatball somewhere in there.”
Ben Green, Chamber & Tourism Director, then spoke about the project.
“Downtown will be placing these eagles throughout the town, they’re applying for some grants to make a walking trail, and the Downtown Lock Haven Manager is putting this together, working with the Hooskow Carvers to create them. The Economic Partnership/Economic Development Eagle will be in MIke’s honor.”
Harger then spoke again, explaining an idea for an award to be given out in the future.
“The Michael Flanagan Award for Business Excellence would be given to a business that is up and coming in the county, who could have shown progress, or had grown in staff or development,” he said.
Laurie, Mike’s wife, then spoke of their love for the area and the things that the Partnership had recently announced to memorialize Mike’s memory and legacy.
“You were his friends, as well as his co-workers, and many of you were here for him when he was going through his treatments,” she said. “As we have been here for the past decades we have many friends who are our family now, thank you for honoring him and for never forgetting him, thank you for all of this tonight.”
