With the deadline still more than a month away, nominations for the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce annual business awards have started to come in, co-ordinator Dawn Booth said this morning.
“We’ve got a couple so far,” she noted. “We’re expecting much more to come in closer to the deadline [March 8]. Everybody seems to leave it to the last minute.
“I was actually surprised we have a couple already,” she added. “But when you think about it, March 8 is coming up pretty quickly.”
Nominations forms are available at the Chamber office (474 Scott St.)
Booth also will be faxing out forms to local businesses requesting nominations, as well as distributing them to various locations for people to pick-up, over the next couple days.
Those opting to visit www.fortfranceschamber.com should be able to make their nominations online starting today.
The award categories, the winners of which will be honoured at the banquet slated March 29 at the Fort Frances Curling Club, include:
•Business of the Year (1-15 employees)—B-93 FM;
•Business of the Year (16+ employees)—Bell Canada;
•Employee of the Year (private sector)—Canada Post;
•Employee of the Year (not-for-profit)—West End Weekly;
•Training and Adjustment—Northwest Training and Adjustment Board;
•Abitibi-Consolidated Safety Award (business and individual)—Abitibi-Consolidated;
•Customer Service Award (business)—BDO Dunwoody;
•Customer Service Award (individual)—Good Impressions Printing;
•Entrepreneur of the Year—Rainy River Future Development Corp.; and
•Tony Beyak Memorial Volunteer of the Year—Chamber of Commerce.
In related news, the Chamber’s officers and directors for 2003 were sworn in Tuesday.
The executive includes president Alan Tibbetts (H&R Block), first vice-president Gary Rogozinski (Abitibi-Consolidated), second vice-president Brian Hagarty (NorFab Building Components), and treasurer Kelly Spicer (Robin’s Donuts).
The past president position is vacant as Roberta Oliver resigned at the beginning of the year.
The board of directors includes Christine Denby (Gillons’ Insurance), Ala Dulas (B93-FM), Louise Holzer (Royal Bank), Gus MacDonell (IQON Financial), Anne Renaud (Confederation College), Larry Syrovy (Rainy Lake Hotel), Debbie Williamson (Pharmasave), Amy Wrigley (Fort Frances & District Association for Community Living), and Betsy Zub (Good Impressions Printing).
Elections were held Nov. 26.
Appointees on the Chamber board include Mayor Glenn Witherspoon (Town of Fort Frances), Geoff Gillon (Rainy River Future Development Corp.), Christine Jourdain (Couchiching First Nation), and Dan Cousineau (Business Improvement Area).
Mayor Witherspoon conducted the swearing-in ceremony.
He congratulated everyone for their dedication and commitment to the Chamber and business community, and went on to say the leadership the Chamber has shown is very positive and beneficial to all.
The local Chamber, which has been in existence for 96 years, and represents the interest of more than 180 businesses, provides an avenue for the business people in the community to create a positive business environment.
It also provides the local business community with a vehicle to promote the region to the outside world—either for tourism or business investment.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
