Fred Ehrlenbach Named Citizen of the Year by Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce

The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce announced that long time board member Fred Ehrlenbach has been named Citizen of the Year and will be honored at the 65^th Annual Awards night at a date to be determined in June.

Gretchen Wilson, the Executive Director of the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce said "It seems like the perfect fit this year, Fred just stepped down after 12 years on our board, the last two as President. I honestly don’t know how he continues to wear so many hats; he’s pretty selfless with his time in so many arenas.”

Fred grew up in Ellsworth, graduated from Ellsworth High School and UMaine in Civil Engineering Technology. He worked for Ray Builders, his wife Elizabeth’s family’s construction company, and then joined Irving Oil Corp, in charge of construction and maintenance for their US plants and terminals in 1986.  Fred went back to Ray Builders in 1996, and then retired in 2011. Fred and Elizabeth built a year round residence in Trenton next to his grandparents summer cottage. Married for over 50 years, Fred and Elizabeth raised two children, Heather Dorr who lives in Ellsworth and Roddy Ehrlenbach who lives in Carrabassett Valley.

Fred started his ‘career in community service’ with the town of Trenton. He served on the planning board from 1980 to 2011 when he won election to the Board of Selectman. A year later he was named the Chair of the Board of Selectman, a position he currently holds.  He has served as Trenton town meeting moderator since 1984, a term on the Trenton School committee, as well as the comprehensive planning committee. Currently Fred serves on the National Park Advisory committee, representing Trenton, the Hancock County Budget Advisory committee, the Harbor Advisory Committee for Ellsworth and the Woodlawn Museum Board of Trustees.  He served 12 years on the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce Board with the last two as President.  65 years earlier the Ellsworth Area Chamber was founded by three Main Street businessmen including his grandfather Raleigh Ingalls owner of Wescott’s Hardware. Fred always headed up the Union River Boat rides for Autumn Gold, enlisting at least 7 Ellsworth Boat owners to volunteer their time taking people up the Union River for free on Autumn Gold Saturday.  Regardless of the hours posted for the event, Fred never left anyone disappointed, running his boat up the river until everyone got their ride.

Many know Fred from his decades of law enforcement as a Deputy Part time with the Hancock County Sheriffs Department and Reserve Sargent with the Ellsworth Police Department. Glenn Moshier Ellsworth City Manager said “I cannot think of a more deserving individual for this award. I have worked with Fred for close to twenty years in his role as a reserve officer for the Ellsworth Police Department and have benefited greatly from his leadership, professionalism and friendship. Fred’s dedication to the greater Hancock County community is only eclipsed by his deep love and devotion to his family and the love of his life Elizabeth. Congratulations Fred on this well deserved honor.”