David Hughes was the 2024 Fort Macleod Citizen of the Year.
The search is on for Fort Macleod’s leading citizens, organizations and businesses.
Nominations are open for the annual Chamber of Commerce awards.
“I think it’s important to recognize people and businesses and organizations who are making such a difference in this town and moving it forward,” Chamber president Mike Bourassa said.
The Citizen of the Year will be recognized during the Chamber’s awards gala on Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Fort Macleod and District Community Hall.
Bourassa said it is important for people to take the time to nominate someone for recognition for the good work they are doing.
“People become involved in groups and organizations not for recognition, but because they believe in the cause,” Bourassa said.
A former Citizen of the Year himself, Bourassa knows how much it means to people when someone nominates them for an award.
“I was totally humbled by it,” Bourassa said. “Never did I think I would receive that award.”
“To me that award was a great honour. There are a lot of people who could win every year.”
Business owners are also working without thoughts of recognition, even though their businesses serve as the backbone of the community, Bourassa added.
In addition to Citizen of the Year, the Chamber is accepting nominations for Junior Citizen of the Year.
Awards will also be presented in the categories of Small Business (0ne to nine employees), Large Business (10 or more employees), Community Enhancement; Employee Service; New Business; Agricultural Business; and Home-Based Businesses.
People must support their nominations with as much background information as possible. Nominations that do not include that background will not be considered.
Nominations, which can be submitted at www.fortmacleodchamber.ca, close on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Award recipients in 2024 included David Hughes, Citizen of the Year; Cordelia Yip, Junior Citizen of the Year; Jon’s Independent Grocer, Community Enhancement; Bernadette Mariano, Employee Service; Blackstone Coffee, New Business; The Macleod Gazette, Small Business; Weston Manufacturing, Large Business; My Oma Always, Home-Based Business; and Crocus Coulee Ranch, Agricultural Business.
The Citizen of the Year award was first given in 1957 to Albert Swinarton.
Subsequent Citizens of the Year in Fort Macleod were Reed Ainscough, Dan Boyle, Jack Griffin, John Davis Sr., Ted Kreutzer, Mabel Hyssop, A.A. Neddow, Bob Burke, Orwell Stewart, Hugh Craig and Lillian McLean.
After a 10-year break, the awards program resumed with Margaret Moses being honoured in 1980. Subsequent recipients were Joe Jordan, Walter Hyssop, Pam Young, Glenda Maskowitz, Jim Burger, Derek Hoskin, Dave Coutts, Frank Eden and Wes Olmstead, Ted Larson, Harry Urwin, Karen Christie, Len Hatton, George Bannerman, Nina Bent, Diana Segboer, Jim Monteith, Thane and Joy Hurlburt, George Brown Sr., Jean Robinson, Craig Patton, George Gaschler, Jody Litle, Sharon Monical, Conrad Van Hierden, Linda Ripley, Ronda Reach, Cathie Harris, Jim Farmer, Joella Bevan, Mike Bourassa, Rebecca Neels, Liisa Gillingham, and David Hughes.
