POTSDAM -- The Potsdam Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner Tuesday, Nov. 15, and awarded its Community Commitment honor to John Kaplan and the 2011 Pride in Potsdam Annual Award to TJ Toyota of Potsdam.

Kplan, former Potsdam Police Chief and current chief of the SUNY Potsdam Police, accepted the award with grace and great humor. He thanked his parents for setting such a great example for him.

Kaplan’s involvement in many community service roles, such as Literacy Volunteers English as a second language instructor, volunteer mediator with various courts, Hospice bereavement counselor, board member of the Potsdam Humane Society, St. Lawrence Arts Council, SLC Community Service, among many others, earned him this year’s honor.

The Pride in Potsdam award was accepted by Shawn Williams of TJ Toyota. The auto dealership was one of 11 businesses nominated monthly since the chamber dinner last autumn. The construction of the new customer lounge and service center was the focus of the nomination. In all, the company added 3,500 square feet of interior space.

TJ Toyota used local St. Lawrence County suppliers and contractors for the work. Their improvements were focused on offering more convenience to their customers.