There are six names up for the prized Citizen of the Year Award this year.
Victor Leach and Louisa Lundy are jointly nominated, along with individual nominees Amber Anderson, Alana McIntyre, Debbie Wardle and Mary Wilson, as a part of this year’s Platinum Awards, organized by the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce.
“We know the great business and the great volunteers that we have in New Westminster, and sometimes we forget to stop and appreciate (them),” Cori Lynn Germiquet, New Westminster Chamber of Commerce CEO, told The Record. “These are the hidden heroes in our community.”
Leach and Lundy are longtime community volunteers who together organized Seniors Have Talent. Anderson is a business owner who runs the Have Culinary Training Society, which trains people with barriers to employment. McIntyre is a longtime community volunteer, Remembrance Day ceremonies chair and a founding member of the group of five. Wardle is involved with Hyack Football and helping youth. Wilson, who was nominated in 2012, brought the 12th Street mosaics to the city.
The other nominees include:
Business of the Year - Small Business
- Michelle Kegaly, New West Wellness Centre Inc.
- Harry Minuk, Harry Minuk Shoes
- Allana Polo, Dr. Allana Polo
- Helga Leaney and Doug Leaney, Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours
- Sue Morphet, Eden Accents
- Lorna Stewart, Essence Hair Design
- Ron Boorman, Boorman Archery
- Katie Marshall, Medical Esthetics by Katie
Business of the Year - Medium Business
- Marise Kwasnicky, Royal City Jewellers & Loans Ltd.
- Raj Mulijiani, Galloway's Specialty Foods
- Gordon Hobbis, Cap's Bicycle Shop
- Debbie Clarke, Thornebridge Gardens
Business of the Year - Large Business
- Debra Douglas, West Coast College of Massage Therapy
- Chuck Stewart, Kruger Products Ltd
- Kathy MacKerricher, Inn At The Quay
- Stan Weismiller, Winvan Paving Ltd
New Business of the Year - Small Business
- Kathy Brandon, Workingsilver.com
- Dr. Pavan Avinashi, Vision Source New Westminster
-James Garbutt, Steel & Oak Brewing Co.
- Allan Perera, New West Organic
- Faith Weins, Oxygen Yoga & Fitness
- Stephen Graf, Stephen Graf & Company
- Robyn Murrell, Zhoosh Fitness Garage
New Business of the Year - Medium Business
- Nicholas Boughen and Vickie Boughen, CG Masters Academy Inc.
- Darryl Meyers and Ken Yeung, Union Jack Public House
- Adrian Lissimore, Kal Tire
New Business of the Year - Large Business
- Jordan Andelson Taylor, Browns Social House
- Todd Pols, Value Village Thrift Store
- Laura Burke, Hub Restaurant New West
Business Person of the Year
- Gary Pooni, Brook Pooni Associates Inc.
- Bart Slotman, Uptown Property Group
- Hazel Postma, Douglas College
Junior Citizen of the Year
- Sadie De Coste
- Carli Henssler
- Amanda Zacharuk
To see the entire list, visit newwestchamber.com. The winners will be announced at the Platinum Awards being held on Nov. 13 at La Perla Ballroom.
