Gosselin named 2004 ‘Citizen of the Year’

Joyce Gosselin, a well-known Special Olympian and fundraiser for the annual Terry Fox Run, was announced as the 2004 “Citizen of the Year” at last night’s council meeting.
“It was a unanimous decision of the committee that Joyce Gosselin be nominated ‘Citizen of the Year,’” announced Mayor Dan Onichuk, who sat on the “Citizen of the Year” selection committee with Bill Gushulak (“Citizen of the Year 2000”), Mark Kowalchuk (“Citizen of the Year 1994”), Mayor Dan Onichuk and Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft.
“I contacted Joyce personally to see if she accepted the nomination, which she gratefully did,” he added, noting he informed her responsibilities as such would be to attend the town appreciation dinner Nov. 19, as well as be part of the Santa Claus parade (Nov. 27), and other parades in the new year.
“She was very enthusiastic, and well-deserving,” said the mayor.
The “Citizen of the Year” selection committee met last week to look over and pick one individual from eight nomination forms—most of which were for different people—which were turned in at the Civic Centre by the Oct. 29 deadline.
Anyone who has done an outstanding job for the community in any way is eligible for the award. The only stipulation is that the recipient has to be a resident of the Town of Fort Frances and not presently holding elected office.
Gosselin is joining a long list of deserving “Citizens of the Year,” including: Dede Mallory (1988), Albert McKelvie (1989), Florence and Woody Gray (1990), Jean Scheirer (1991), George Wood (1992), Dr. Audrey Johnstone (1993), Pastor Earl Swanson (1995), Gordon McTaggart (1996), Terry Ogden (1997), Walter Horban (1998), Jim Cumming (1999), John McTaggart (2001), Jean and Lin Boileau (2002), and John Dutton (2003).
As in previous years, the identities of the nominees will not be revealed. Only the winner will be publicly announced.
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•referred a financial request from a community summit scheduled to take place Jan. 13, 2005 to the Administration and Finance executive committee for recommendation. The day-long event will focus on issues, such as business, education, tourism, and health, that will impact the Fort Frances area in the next five years;
•approved a break open ticket licence application from the Friends of Little League at Sparky’s Confectionery from Nov. 9, 2004-June 30, 2005;
•approved a request from the Royal Canadian Legion to proclaim Nov. 5-11, 2004 as “Poppy Week” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•referred an application for a zoning bylaw amendment for the Church of the Holy Spirit (824 Victoria Ave.) to the municipal planner to process under the Planning Act, with a public meeting to be scheduled Dec. 13;
•referred a funding request from “Communities in Bloom” committee regarding the 2005 “Communities in Bloom” competition to the Administration and Finance executive committee for recommendation;
•referred a financial request from the Business Improvement Association regarding float prizes for the annual Santa Claus parade (Nov. 27) to the Administration and Finance executive committee for recommendation;
•passed a bylaw to approve an agreement with Asselin Transportation and Storage Ltd. for the collection of garbage and recyclables;
•referred an invitation from Pitch-In Canada to become a member municipality to the Operations and Facilities executive committee for recommendation;
•referred a request from the Township of Atikokan regarding the provisions of a qualified water distribution operator to Atikokan on an interim basis to the Operations and Facilities executive committee for recommendation; and
•passed a bylaw to approve a letter of agreement with the Ministry of Transportation with respect to funding of public transportation.