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McClain, LTM win Central Point titles By DAVID PRESZLER CENTRAL POINT -- In a reflection of the hot-button issues in this growing city, the schools superintendent and a construction company have been named citizen and business of the year. Mike McClain, who will retire as superintendent of the Central Point school district at the end of this school year, was named citizen of the year for 1998. LTM Inc., a construction materials company, was chosen as the city's top business for 1998 -- the first year such an award has been given. The awards, given out by the Central Point Area Chamber of Commerce, were announced Saturday night. McClain, 54, has been a Central Point administrator for 17 years, including nine as the district's superintendent. For eight years, he was principal of Crater High School. Harvey Tonn, a member of the selection committee and presenter of the award, said McClain's long service to community -- particularly young people -- and pending retirement made him an obvious choice. "Now is the appropriate time to celebrate what he's done for the school district and the town," said Tonn. "He's the type of person that where there are kids out doing things, he's going to be there." McClain was unable to attend Saturday's ceremony and will be presented the award at a Central Point Rotary Club meeting next week. As superintendent, he's been challenged with increased crowding at the district's schools. Last fall, voters narrowly rejected a bond measure to expand them. In addition to his work with the schools, McClain has been a past president of the Central Point Rotary Club, is a member of the Jackson County Commission on Children and Families and is active in the First Presbyterian Church. Business winner LTM employs about 250 people and was recognized for its charitable donations to the community, according to Karolyne Johnson, a past chamber president and member of the selection committee. The company donated more than $20,000 to local clubs, teams, schools and charities in 1998. "As an employer, they are one of the most contentious for both their employees and the community," Johnson said. Outgoing chamber President Candace Manary, who presented the award, said she was impressed with the variety of ways in which LTM has helped the community, from donating money to being the business partner of Jewett Elementary School. "They are just tremendous community supporters," Manary said. "They just seem to do it all." "It's wonderful," said LTM President Jim Wright. "It's a nice honor. Central Point is a community that we are proud to be involved in." LTM was created in 1988 by a merger of M.C. Lininger & Sons Inc., which was founded in Ashland in 1928, and Tru-Mix Construction, founded in Medford in 1910. Wright said they have been doing business in Central Point since the 1940s. LTM was purchased in 1993 by KRC Aggregates Inc., a business unit of MDU Resources Group Inc. of Bismarck, N.D. MDU Resources Group is an investor-owned natural resource company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA