John Palminteri Named ‘Citizen Of The Year’

The Downtown Santa Barbara Organization has named NewsChannel 3 Senior Reporter John Palminteri its “Citizen of the Year.”

The award is usually a surprise, but this year the organization announced that John Palminteri would be the 2014 award recipient.

DSB Executive Director Maggie Campbell said, “Simply put, John Palminteri is ubiquitous in Downtown Santa Barbara. After all he’s done for our downtown members, he is a natural – and fantastic – choice.”

“I began covering downtown Santa Barbara in 1981. I have enjoyed telling the stories of all the changes, developments and events that take place in this beautiful and energized area,” said the man whose become synonymous with the word ‘Primetime,’ John Palminteri. “But it’s not always easy to keep it that way. Some people have caused issues that require new rules and more police to keep walkways clear and parking lots safe.”

“I knew Borders had become a part of the community when John included our mini concert by The Doors’ Ray Manzarek in his list of one of the best concerts of the year,” says Kate Schwab, former general manager of Borders Books and now Marketing Director of DSB.

“I could only bring all of these stories to the public with the support of my employers, KEYT, KJEE, and KCLU. Otherwise I would just be telling people one by one! ” stated John.

Palminteri, ‘Primetime,’ “The Palm,” was honored at the Downtown Santa Barbara Organization’s Annual Awards Breakfast Thursday morning at the historic El Paseo Restaurant.

Slideshow: John Palminteri Named ‘Citizen Of The Year’