More nominees for ‘top citizen’ sought

With the deadline for applications coming up next Wednesday (Oct. 31), the town’s “Citizen of the Year” selection committee is asking people to hand in their nominations for the award, which is being given out for the 20th time this year.
Just three applications had been turned in at the Civic Centre so far, and the committee would like to see more before the deadline closes, committee member Bill Gushulak, the “Citizen of the Year” in 2000, yesterday.
“We know there’s seven or eight nomination forms out there, and we did mail outs, as well, so it’s really hard to tell until the day of how many we’ll have,” he noted.
“If people are hanging onto them, they should really be filling them out and bringing them in,” Gushulak stressed. “We can’t consider them unless they get handed in.”
The committee encourages as many people as possible to nominate deserving individuals to give them plenty to choose from.
“Eight to 12 would be really nice,” noted Guhsulak. “We’ve never been short in the past.
“I don’t expect we will be again, but we want to plant a couple reminders out there and hopefully they’ll come across.”
Nomination forms, which are simple and easy to fill out, are available at the information desk at the Civic Centre.
Anyone who has done an outstanding job for the community in any way is eligible for the award. The only stipulation is that they be a resident of the Town of Fort Frances and not presently hold elected office.
The selection committee consists of Gushulak, Mark Kowalchuk (“Citizen of the Year” 1994), Mayor Roy Avis, and Coun. Andrew Hallikas.
Completed nomination forms must be returned to the Civic Centre by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31. The selection committee will meet the following week in order to make a recommendation to council in time for its Nov. 12 meeting.
The “Citizen of the Year” will be formally honoured at the town’s annual appreciation banquet on Friday, Nov. 16 at La Place Rendez-Vous, and also likely will take part in the Santa Claus parade.
The identities of the nominees will not be revealed. Only the winner will be publicly announced.
June Keddie was named “Citizen of the Year” last November.