Nearly two dozen nominees for top citizen award

The “Citizen of the Year” selection committee will have its work cut out this week as it must review nearly two dozen applications before making a recommendation to town council at its meeting Nov. 9.
A total of 23 nominations, some of which are for the same person, came in before the 4 p.m. deadline on Friday.

Later this week, the committee of Bill Gushulak (“Citizen of the Year 2000”), Mark Kowalchuk (“Citizen of the Year 1994”), Mayor Roy Avis, and deputy mayor Sharon Tibbs will meet to choose the one they feel is most deserving.
Their recommendation for the recipient of the town’s 22nd “Citizen of the Year” award then will be put forward to council for approval at its next meeting—just in time to get everything ready to officially honour the recipient at the town’s annual appreciation banquet on Nov. 20.
After that, the recipient likely will appear in the upcoming “Parade of Lights” on Nov. 28 and next year’s Canada Day parade.
The identities of the nominees will not be revealed. Only the winner will be publicly announced.
As previously reported, 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.
The only stipulation is that the recipient be a resident of the Town of Fort Frances, and not presently hold elected office.
Last year’s honouree was Linda Hamilton.