The Civic Centre in Fort Frances received zero eligible nominations for the Citizen of the Year Award, something Coun. Mike Behan called disappointing.
“I was very saddened to learn earlier today that the town received no eligible nominations for the 34th annual Citizen of the Year award,” Behan said. “This is especially disappointing, considering nominations were open all year, and there also was a new junior citizen category which was added this year.”
The Outstanding Youth Citizen award was added last year after Ray Calder Jr. Jr. was nominated for helping the community during COVID-19.
The town began asking for nominations at the beginning of the year, and residents were given the deadline of Oct. 21 to have their nominations sent to deputy clerk Karyn Haney.
The Citizen of the Year Committee is set to meet on Nov. 18 to discuss going forward.
Behan said Irene Laing, Linda Hamilton and Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft also sits on the committee and they will be discussing if this had happened before and what to do if this situation repeats itself in the future.
The rules for nominating an individual are simple and straightforward. Nominators are usually encouraged to provide a meaningful description of the nominees, and the impact of the contribution.
Nominees also must be a citizen of the Town of Fort Frances, have contributed to their community, may have performed acts of heroism, may have made life better for others, may have excelled in personal achievements.
Below is a list of all Citizens of the Year since the award’s creation in 1988:
| 2020 | Gaby Hanzuk |
| 2020 | Ray Calder Jr. Jr. |
| 2019 | Joy Lockman |
| 2018 | Cynthia Donald |
| 2017 | Evelyn Metke |
| 2016 | Ruth Caldwell |
| 2015 | Larry Patrick |
| 2014 | Dr. Brian Johnstone |
| 2013 | Florence Hill & Jane McLeod |
| 2012 | Ken Christiansen |
| 2011 | Nick Wihnan |
| 2010 | Joyce Cunningham |
| 2009 | Diane Maxey |
| 2008 | Linda Hamilton |
| 2007 | Dr. Bob Lidkea |
| 2006 | June Keddie |
| 2005 | Patti-Jo Reid |
| 2004 | Joyce Gosselin |
| 2003 | John Dutton |
| 2002 | Jean & Lin Boileau |
| 2001 | John McTaggart |
| 2000 | Bill Gushulak |
| 1999 | Jim Cumming |
| 1998 | Walter Horban |
| 1997 | Terry Ogden |
| 1996 | Gord McTaggart |
| 1995 | Pastor Earl Swanson |
| 1994 | Mark Kowalchuk |
| 1993 | Dr. Audry Johnstone |
| 1992 | George Wood |
| 1991 | Jean Scheirer |
| 1990 | Florence and Woody Gray |
| 1989 | Albert McKelvie |
| 1988 | Dede Mallory |
