Slideshow: Most Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner

Last year’s winner, President and CEO of Independent Newsmedia Ed Dulin, humbly presents Levy Court president Brooks Banta the Boy Scouts of America Del-Mar-Va Council’s 2015 Distinguished Citizen Award Thursday evening during a dinner held in his honor at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino.

One of the most recognizable faces in Kent County, Levy Court president Brooks Banta listens person after person pay tribute to him and his leadership

Boy Scouts of America Del-Mar-Va Council scout executive Jason Pierce discussed the healthy state of scouting in The First State during his remarks at Thursday's dinner

Rev. Dale Brown of Asbury Methodist Church in Smyrna gives the invocation as master of ceremonies and Dover Motorsports CEO Denis McGlynn bows his head behind him.

Throughout his many years of public service, Brooks Banta of Smyrna has been a Clayton town councilman and Mayor, been a member of the Smyrna School District Board of Education, served as a non-resident commissioner in Dewey Beach, joined the Kent County Regional Planning Commission and has been a Levy Court Commissioner for nearly 20 years, eight as president.

Being a former Boy Scout, Levy Court president and this year's recipient of the Boy Scouts of America Del-Mar-Va Council's Most Distinguished Citizen Award Brooks Banta recites the Boy Scout Law from memory - "A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent." - all are words which apply to Mr. Banta and his long career in public service.

Levy Court Vice President Brad Eaby, right, pays tribute to President Brooks Banta during the dinner Thursday evening.

Before receiving the 2015 Distinguished Citizen Award, Levy Court president Brooks Banta of Smyrna, third from left, was honored by his Levy Court collegues, from left, Commissoners Jody Sweeney, Glen Howell, Allan Angel, Terry Pepper, Brady Eaby and Kent County Administrstor Mike Petit de Mange.

Boy Scout Troop 903 honor guard members Damian Grabowski, 12 of Marydel, left, and Spencer Valenti, 18 of Dover, present the colors as Chris Valenti, 17, recites the pledge of allegiance to begin the award ceremony.

Coming from a family of scouts, Eagle Scout Spencer Valenti, 18 of Dover, discusses his love of scouting during a speech at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino Thursday evening.

President Banta's wife Ruth is presented with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America Del-Mar-Va Council during Thursday's award dinner.

For his many years of public service, Rep. William Carson (D-Smyrna) presents President Banta with a tribute from the Delaware House of Representatives during the award dinner.