People of the Year: Outstanding Nominees All Around

Last month, after asking readers for compelling nominations, we presented , 10 men and women who had an outstanding year and/or did outstanding things in 2011 and over a lifetime.

We then conducted an online poll for the Reader's Choice Southampton Person of the Year, but, like with any online poll, it was vulnerable to manipulation. Being that there was evidence of readers casting multiple votes, it would not be fair to anyone to name a Reader's Choice based on the poll.

But what this effort did show is that Southampton has many selfless people admired by their neighbors. In lieu of naming one "Person of the Year," Patch will spotlight the lesser-known Southamptonites on our list of People of the Year. Look forward to seeing this in the coming weeks and months.

We have already brought readers profiles of and , and everyone is familiar with Southampton Town Supervisor and former Supervisor . But there were six others on our list of Southampton Patch's People of the Year — Bob Chaloner, Roseann Gentile, John v.H. Halsey, Mary Ann Tupper, Lisa Votino-Tarrant and Katherine Wilson — who we aim to profile in the coming months.

When the end of 2012 comes, if Patch chooses to repeat this, we will have a better system in place for voting that will prevent readers from voting more than once.

Thank you for your understanding, and we leave you with some of the great comments our "People of the Year" post yielded:

• I choose Brenda Simmons as the Southampton Patch Person of The Year. She is a Phenomenal Woman. She has a big heart and open mind. Only God knows how she does all that she does; from a doula to the mayor's assistant ... most of all she raised ME, along with my older sister, by herself. I'm so proud to hear the awesome projects and events that she works so hard on. Her hard work and dedication is beyond measure and yes I am bias ... she deserves it!

• Lisa Votino-Tarrant has my vote for person of the year. She is a tireless worker for human rights.

• Lisa's relentless optimism and hard work for Human Rights is inspiring for young people. She's a role model who needs to be held up to view.

• I vote for Lisa Votino. She is an active member of the community not only in Southampton but throughout LI. Her kindness, maturity and loyalty to the causes she believes in are unparalleled.

• My vote goes to Mary Ann Tupper. She touchs the most needy among us.

• My vote is for Simmons. You think how wealthy Long Island is overall — and the Hamptons specifically — and how the local black community still struggles here with poverty, welfare, drugs, and incarceration. I like that this woman is working to help change that. Those kids deserve a chance and need a little "pull" from strong community leaders like herself towards middle class opportunities. Thank you Brenda.

• My vote is for Lisa Votino-Tarrant. She has helped SO many people over the years and deserves this award.

• Lisa gets my vote, too. This was a special year for a lot of people and Lisa worked hard and dedicated herself to the one cause where she could make a difference. I'm a big fan of Mary Ann Tupper and many of the others on this list, all of whom must be thrilled to be nominated. But Lisa gets my vote. Well done and "Thank you" Governor Cuomo!

• I would like to vote for Brenda Simmons who is a great mother and role model to all. She not only speaks the word of life she lives it daily. I'm proud to be apart of her family.

• I voted for Brenda Simmons......a heart of service is always a blessing to others!