Raymond T. Ripko, 46, of 433 Hazle St., Tamaqua, has been named Tamaqua’s “Citizen of the Year” by the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ripko, a founder and president of the Little Schuylkill Conservation Club, was selected from a field of four candidates proposed by seven nominations by the selection committee.

Ripko was nominated by Jacob Rimbach, a past recipient, who noted Ripko has donated many hours and much of his own money to see a boyhood dream come true – trout fishing in the Little Schuylkill River.

The club was founded in 1976 and has expanded through the years to a membership of more than 1,200.