Citizens and businesses were honoured for their contributions to life in New West at the 2014 Platinum Awards.
The New Westminster Chamber of Commerce gives out Platinum Awards in a celebration of business and community.
“Honouring businesses and individuals for their contributions to the betterment of the community can only be achieved through the support and admiration of their customers, friends and colleagues, which speaks volumes about their characters,” said Jean Hincks, chair of the 2014 Platinum Awards. “This group of people have shown resilience in the face of adversity, innovation in their dreams and passion in their professions.”
* Citizen of the Year: Amber Anderson.Vic Leach and Louisa Lundy, Alana McIntyre, Debbie Wardle and Mary Wilson were also nominated.
* Junior Citizen of the Year: Sadie De Coste. Carli Hennsler and Amanda Zacharuk were also nominated.
* Bernie Legge Cultural Award: Trudy Van Dop, Van Dop Gallery. Anne Wilson-Unger was also nominated.
* Business Person of the Year: Bart Slotman, Uptown Property Group. Gary Pooni of Brook Pooni Associates Inc. and Hazel Postma of Douglas College were also nominated.
* Corporate Community Spirit Award: Susan Cartwright-Coates of Cartwright Jewelers Ltd. Also nominated were Flynn Yeo (Key West Ford Sales Ltd.), Laura Veevers (Royal City Centre); Save-On-Foods; and Leona Green (Greens and Beans).
* Green Business of the Year: Tie between Mark Shieh and Leslie Shieh at River Market, and Darcy Romanin of Starlight Casino. Barry Buckland of The Columbia Theatre was also nominated.
* Inclusion Excellence in Business Award: Constance Fenyo, Dye & Durham Corp. Also nominated were Jacqui Cohen, Army and Navy Department Store Ltd., and The Team, Family Eyecare Centre.
* Creative Innovator of the Year: Dave Taylor and Team at Douglas College took top honours. Nicholas Boughen and Vicki Boughen of CG Masters Academy Inc. and Jay Catalan of The Network Hub were also nominated.
* Business of the Year – Large Business: Kathy MacKerricher, Inn at the Quay. Also in the running were Brian Goldstein, West Coast College of Massage Therapy, Chuck Stewart, Kruger Products Ltd. and Stan Weismiller, Winvan Paving Ltd.
* Business of the Year – Medium Business: Michael Isman of Royal City Jewellers and Loans Ltd. Gord Hobbis of Cap’s Bicycle Shop and Debbie Clarke of Thornebridge Gardens were also nominated.
* Business of the Year – Small Business: Lorna Stewart of Essence Hair Design. Six other businesses were in the running for this award: Michelle Kegaly, New West Wellness Centre Inc.; Allana Polo, Dr. Allana Polo; Helga Leaney and Doug Leaney, Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours; Sue Morphet, Eden Accents; Ron Boorman, Boorman Archery; and Katie Marshall, Medical Esthetics by Katie.
* New Business of the Year – Large Business: Laura Burke, Hub Restaurant New Westminster. Runners up were Jordan Andelson Taylor, Brown’s Social House, and Todd Pols, Value Village Thrift Store.
* New Business of the year – Medium Business: Nicholas Boughen and Vickie Boughen – CG Masters Academy. Also nominated were: Darryl Meyers and Ken Yeung, Union Jack Public House, and Adrian Lissimore, Kal Tire.
* New Business of the Year – Small Business: Dr. Pavan Avinashi, Vision Source New Westminster. Other nominees in this category included: Kathy Brandon, Workingsilver.com; Jorden Foss and James Garbutt, Steel and Oak Brewing Co.; Allan Perera, New West Organic; Faith Weins, Oxygen Yoga and Fitness; Stephen Graf, Stephen Graf & Company; and Robyn Murrell, Zhoosh Fitness Garage.
* Customer Service – Business: The Team, Family Eyecare Centre. Also nominated were David Fairbairn, Fairbairn Inspection Services; Michelle Kegaly, New West Wellness Centre Inc.; Katie Marshall, Medical Esthetics by Katie; Rose Ternes, Cadeaux Gift and Home Embellishments; and Save-On-Foods.
* Customers Service – Individual: Kasia Cobb, Charlie’s Petspace and Daycare Ltd. Megan Currie, Cadeaux Gifts and Home Embellishments; and Sarah Alicia Thomas, In-Style Hair Studio in McBride Plaza, were also nominated.
* Not for Profit of the Year over $1 million: Caroline Bonesky, Family Services of Greater Vancouver. Runners up were: Doug Evenshen, Royal Columbian Hospital; Michel Tarko, Justice Institute of British Columbia; and Deborah McKenzie, Urban Academy.
* Not for Profit of the Year Under $1 Million: Catherine Ouellet-Martin, Fraser River Discovery Centre. Also nominated were Ian Gould and Jeremy Perry of New West Pride, Craig Longstaff of Honour House Society, and Nick Cheng or Rotary Club of New Westminster.
