Borough Beeswax: Buzzing About People of the Year

Why let Time magazine have all the fun?

As the year comes to a close, we asked borough residents who would be their person—or persons—of the year for 2011.

“I’d have to say the president,” said Camille Introcaso, formerly of Crestmont Terrace. “He’s an underdog right now, but I still believe in him.”

With the right support and the right Congress, Introcaso said she believed Obama could achieve even more.

Borough resident John Bradley said that his choice for persons of the year are, “The people of the Middle East, who overthrew some of their repressive governments,” in spring of 2011.

Bradley said he views their actions, “As a collective voice for reform,” and went out of his way to express the exclusion of, “People in Iraq who are fighting (American) troops,” in his plaudits.

Visiting Collingswood with her sister and Cherry Hill resident Melissa Gabriel, Marsha Kap, of Brooklyn, said that her choice would be those behind the Occupy Wall Street movement.

“The message is that we’ve all got to survive,” Kap said. “I’m sick of that one percent. The distribution of wealth is just not fair.”

Kap said she’s been emotionally affected most by the many people forced out of their homes when the real estate bubble burst.

“This should not happen in America,” said Kap.

Marcia and Laurie Keene said their sister, Gretchen Seibert—a seventh grade language arts teacher at —would be their choice for person of the year.

“She’s one of the most giving people I’ve ever met,” said Marcia Keene, who described Seibert as the type of person who walks around with candy canes on Christmas to distribute to residents.

“This year, she started an NGO (non-governmental organization) in Uganda; she’s getting her second graduate degree,” said Laurie Keene, who said that Seibert donated gifts anonymously to a needy family in town, so that their children could enjoy a happy holiday season.

Despite the numerous accolades the women foisted upon their sister, Seibert's daughter, Alison Seibert, said she doesn’t feel as though she's living in her mother's shadow.

“She really celebrates everyone’s individuality,” Alison said of her mother.

Collingswood newcomers, Donna and Greg Ranieri, cited Marlo Thomas as their person of the year.

Following in the footsteps of her father—actor Danny Thomas, who founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital—Marlo Thomas has been its principal spokesperson and chief fundraiser for years.

“I think Barbara Walters should've had her as one of the top 10 people of the year,” said Greg Ranieri, of Thomas.

A nod was also angled toward Collingswood Borough Commissioner Joan Leonard, from Dan Cirenza.

"(I'm thankful to her for) putting on some good events," said Cirenza, of Leonard's efforts in 2011.

Cirenza, who said he's leaving town for Lake Tahoe after New Year’s, also added professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones to his list. Jones founded the non-profit group Protect Our Winters, which unites winter sports enthusiasts in a campaign against climate change.

Want to share your vote for person of the year? Comment in the box below and tell us why.