A former Mayor and an office supplies business are the recipients of the 2013 Ashland Golden Oak Award.
 

The award was presented Thursday at a reception in the first floor conference room of the Ashland Municipal Building.
   
The man who started the award ten years ago, former Ashland Mayor Bill Strine and the owners of Irwin's Office Supplies & Equipment Inc., Jim, Tom and Marti Irwin, were presented the award.   

 The Golden Oak Award recognizes the foresight, diligence and unselfishness of organizations and individuals who contribute to new growth, strengthen the roots and improve the overall community.

"I was very fortunate to have a council who had the same philosophy I had about business. I wanted the business sector to grow in Ashland and they understood what we had to do to make it grow," Strine said.

Strine served as the mayor for six years and was the city finance director for 26 years. Strine is also recognized for for organizing the economic development department which is now the Ashland Area Economic Development Council.

Irwin's Office Supplies & Equipment Inc. was founded in 1960 by Dean Irwin and was purchased by his sons Jim and Tom in 1986. The business has grown from two employees to seven.

"We are very humbled and honored that we would be chosen for this award. We try to give people great service so they'll keep coming back," Irwin's secretary treasurer Marti Irwin said.

 The First Ashland Golden Oak Award was presented 2003. The word "Golden" symbolizes the unselfishness and love of community, exemplified in the recipient, as well as growth, strength and life symbolized by the oak.

As part of the recognition, an oak tree will be planted in one of the city's parks in honor of the reciepents.