SUQUAMISH — On the night of Feb. 10, as Judge Jay Roof was named the Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce’s Person of the Year, a host of others netted much deserved Community Builder Awards for 2006.

In addition to his work education, North Kitsap School District Supt. Gene Medina has played an instrumental role in Common Threads, a group which promotes cultural diversity and understanding throughout the North End, chamber executive director Stuart Leidner said.

“He is the center that holds Common Threads together,” Leidner said of Medina’s role.

Medina was quick to shy away from taking credit for the efforts of Common Threads. Instead, he thanked fellow founding members Rob Purser and Marie Herbert for laying the foundation for the group to become what it is today.

“We learn from listening to each other’s stories and Common Threads is a place we can do that,” he said.

Those stories show how similar seemingly different groups of people truly are, despite perceived differences, Medina said. While Medina was recognized for his efforts to heal cultural conflicts in the North End, Dr. Robert Bethel was honored for his vision to build what is now known as the North Kitsap Medical Center at the intersection of State Route 305 and Bond Road more than 30 years ago.

“I saw a sign off the side of the road that said this town needs a doctor,” Bethel said of his decision to open his practice in Poulsbo. That sign was placed by his future wife’s father.

In 1971, the city had two general physicians who performed admirably, but they were simply overworked, he said.

The first medical facility on the property was a trailer, but in its current building, Bethel said his clinic averages 300-450 new patient visits per month.

“Harrison has approached us about expanding in North Kitsap and that means a lot to me,” Bethel said.

Even though Hill Moving trucks are a common sight in the North End, they’re becoming more prevalent in the Gulf Coast, as the company has made a commitment to help the area recover from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

“They have a reputation of working hard and treating their customers well,” Leidner said.

Hill Moving feels that treating their customers with kindness is just a part of doing business in the city they love, he said.

That kindness has extended to the hardest hit regions of the Gulf Coast as Hill Moving has made eight trips to the area to help those in need, Leidner said.

Community building aside, new buildings in the community were also celebrated at the event.

For Brock and Nancy Baker, the evening brought a ray of recognition to a dream come true.

The Bakers received the Community Beautification Award for the completion of Brock’s Commons on 10th Avenue, just north of Central Market.

The building is more than just a commercial structure, it serves as a community gathering place, said Chamber board president and North Kitsap Herald publisher Donna Etchey.