PONTIAC - A carpet cleaner, an agriculture educator and a pie baker have all been honored for their efforts in the Pontiac area.

On Wednesday, the Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce announced the 2007 winners of three chamber awards in a surprise ceremony.

Gerry Miller of Gem's Carpet Cleaning Plus was named business person of the year, Debbie Ruff was named the Bill Edwards Agri-Business person of the year and Rosie Duffy of Pontiac was named volunteer of the year.

All three of the people had several nominations letters submitted for the award. They will all be formally honored in a ceremony March 15.

Miller has been in business for eight years and has grown his business with a professionalism, said nominator Shirley Eckel.

"Whenever you call Gerry, he is very polite, professional and friendly," she said. "He manages to adjust his schedule to help out in emergency situations and does a very good job at whatever it is he has to tackle."

Another nominator credits Miller for making an extra effort to clean carpets, rugs and upholstered furniture after the couple quit smoking. They said not only did he complete the job, he gave them an air cleaner to further deal with the situation.

Miller also serves on the chamber board and volunteers with various groups.

Ruff, of the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District, has educated more than 7,500 students and 660 teachers about the importance of agriculture and other environmental issues.

Through Ruff's position, she is in charge of educational events held throughout the year. She also works on the water quality issues of the Vermilion River.

"When it comes to educating children about safety or agriculture or working to improve the quality of the Vermilion River, Debbie puts in 110 percent and continually comes up with innovative ideas," said nominator Teresa Grant-Quick of the Livingston County Farm Bureau.

Duffy of Pontiac, volunteers for several groups in Livingston County, including the Red Cross, American Legion Auxiliary, St; Mary's Women's Guild, and the Livingston County Farm Bureau.

Many people know her for baking pies for the Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Golf outing.

"To sum it all up, she works tirelessly for others in our community, especially in her parish and for our local agriculture programs," said nominator Jorj Ann Casson. "This is the heart of Rosie Duffy. She works circles around others … she works with a positive attitude and always gives her best for all those concerned."