Duane Hicks
The call is out for nominations for the town’s 22nd-annual “Citizen of the Year” award.
Anyone who has taken on charitable fundraising, organized community events, or just lent a helping hand is eligible to receive the award if they are nominated by a fellow resident by Friday, Oct. 30.
The only stipulation is that the recipient be a resident of the Town of Fort Frances, and that the nominee not presently hold elected office.
Nomination forms can be picked up at the information desk at the Civic Centre.
The selection committee, which consists of Bill Gushulak (“Citizen of the Year 2000”), Mark Kowalchuk (“Citizen of the Year 1994”), and Couns. Andrew Hallikas and Sharon Tibbs, encourages as many people as possible to nominate individuals so they have plenty of candidates to choose from.
“One thing that hasn’t changed over the years is there’s always a great list of candidates who are well-deserving, and it’s a tough decision to make,” said Gushulak.
“But we certainly encourage people to submit the names, and we will go through the same process we have in the past and by mid-November, we should have a person named,” he added.
“Volunteerism in any community is valuable, and we’re glad council continues to recognize that,” Gushulak continued.
“It’s something we’d like the community take part in by sending in as many nominations as they can.”
People who may have submitted nominations for individuals in the past, but who were not chosen that particular year, should feel free to re-nominate that person as long they are still an active member of the community, Gushulak noted.
After all, at any given time, there are many citizens who help make Fort Frances a better place to live.
Completed nomination forms must be returned to the Civic Centre by 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30.
The selection committee then will meet in order to make a recommendation to town council prior to the town’s annual appreciation banquet in mid-November, at which time the “Citizen of the Year” will be formally honoured.
The identities of the nominees will not be revealed. Only the winner will be publicly announced.
Last year’s winner was Linda Hamilton.
Other previous recipients include Dr. Robert Lidkea (2007), June Keddie (2006), Patti-Jo Reid (2005), Joyce Gosselin (2004), John Dutton (2003), Jean and Lin Boileau (2002), John McTaggart (2001), and Jim Cumming (1999).
Rounding out the recipients are Walter Horban (1998), Terry Ogden (1997), Gordon McTaggart (1996), Pastor Earl Swanson (1995), Dr. Audrey Johnstone (1993), George Wood (1992), Jean Scheirer (1991), Florence and Woody Gray (1990), Albert McKelvie (1989), and Dede Mallory (1988).
For more information, call Gushulak (274-3891) or Kowalchuk (274-9118).
