Riverhead's People of the Year

We asked, and you nominated. Now here are Riverhead Patch's People of the Year for 2011:

Jim Bissett III

The late Jim Bissett was a key player in the ongoing development of Riverhead. Perhaps no single person had a bigger impact on the success of downtown Riverhead than Bissett. As co-owner of the Long Island Aquarium, Bissett worked tirelessly to attract more people to downtown Riverhead, even as the town struggled to revitalize the area.

In recent years, downtown has appeared to be growing again, thanks in large parts to Bissett's efforts at the aquarium and the new Hyatt Place East End, Sea Star Ballroom, and Long Island Exhibition Center.

Bissett was on Dec. 14 in Veterans Park in Mattituck. He was 48 years old.

His unexpected passing sent shockwaves through the downtown community. Shortly after his death,

"Mr. Bissett was a wonderful and caring man with a great vision," said Supervisor Sean Walter. "His legacy will live on forever as downtown Riverhead continues to build from his dream."

The Riverhead Key Club

This student community service group had a banner year in 2011. In April, the  in Albany with about 850 other Key Clubbers from across the state, and took home first prize in the poster category as well as third place prize for their non-traditional scrapbook, which was a series of photos laminated with oversized decorations on the back of the photos. The Riverhead Key Club was also named a 'Distinguished Club,' and earned first place in the bronze division for a single service project, with their 'going green' presentation on littering to third graders. 

The Key Club was also active throughout the community this year. The group held a "Senior/Senior" dance night for students and elderly citizens, a homeless night to raise awareness and support for the homeless population, and a .

The Key Club's committment to making Riverhead a better place through service and enthusiasm make them a perfect choice for Patch's People of the Year.

NJROTC Cadet Lieutenants Amanda Gallo and Brian Weinhardt

This year, two Riverhead NJROTC students for their excellence and leadership both in and out of the classroom. 

Cadet Lieutenant Amanda Gallo and Cadet Lieutenant Jr. Grade Brian Weinhardt were two of just six students in the NJROTC area to be awarded the $180,000 scholarship. The list of their accomplishments are a testament to their hard work.

Weinhardt, of coordinates all the events and trips that the cadets participate in throughout the year, is a member of the National Honor Society, the French Foreign Language Honor Society, the Outdoors Club and the Varsity Golf Team. Weinhardt is an  and an honor roll student with a 97.39 grade point average, the school said. He will also become an Eagle Scout soon.

Gallo, of Calverton, is not only a leader in the NJROTC but a goalie for the school’s Varsity Girls soccer team, violinist, Teeny award-winning actress and the editor of the High School newspaper. She said she hopes to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to study mechanical aeronautical engineering.

Nancy Swett

As operator of ILoveRiverhead.com, founded in 2009, Nancy Swett, of Jamesport, has worked with local business and community leaders and town officials to raise support for downtown Riverhead. Her site encourages people to visit downtown and shop locally to help boost business in the area, as well as take pride in what Riverhead has to offer.

Swett has also coordiated with the Riverhead Free Library to hold and other events to foster growth in the community. The ILoveRiverhead civic group holds regular meetings to discuss local issues and solutions, including meetings with town officials from and to learn from their plans to turn around downtown.