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Last Thursday saw the Suffolk and North Suffolk Rotary Club present the 63rd First Citizen Award to Michael D. Duman 

The President of Mike Duman Auto Sales and Mayor of the City of Suffolk was honored as the recipient of the 2024 First Citizen Award during the presentation held at the Suffolk Center of the Cultural Arts on Thursday, Sept. 26. The award, established by the Cosmopolitan Club of Suffolk in 1956 and resuming with the Rotary Club in 2003, is given to individuals who best exemplifies the “spirit of citizenship” and has “shown significant leadership through his/her time, talents and efforts in order to make Suffolk a better place to live.”

A graduate of Old Dominion University, Duman served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve. Starting his business career while still attending college, Duman established his first auto dealership in 1980 as the youngest Ford-Mercury Dealer in the country. Duman has supported various nonprofits and volunteer organizations including the Obici Hospital K-9 Kandystriper Therapy Dog Program, the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots Holiday Wrestling Camp, and Suffolk Youth Athletic Association, among others. 

Following a video montage honoring his life with remarks from friends, family and dignitaries, Duman accepted the award from his two aunts — Honey Polner and Harriet Archer.

“Being recognized provides a great deal of personal satisfaction and validates the effort I have put into community service. The Rotary Club embodies the spirit of selflessness and generosity, and I am proud to be associated with an organization that has made such a positive difference in the lives of so many,” Duman said while giving remarks. “I would like to close with a quote from Muhammad Ali, and that is ‘Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.’”