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Page A9                                                           SUNDAY,   OCTOBER 14  2001                                                  PHONE  564-0005
And the nominees
            Murry Krause on being Citizen of
Wilson, Rushant, Flatt, Carson (left to right) are names now held in the highest of civic esteem. One will shine slightly
brighter. Photo courtesy Prince George Community Foundation
One emblematic citizen. The Prince George Community Foundation chooses one each year to spotlight the great deeds of the community as a whole. The one represents the many. Past names include Bob Harkins, Gord Molendyk, Horst Sander and most recently Murry Krause. Another name is about to join them. On July 1, at Canada Day in the Park, the shortlist of nominees were announced and now the anticipation is building towards October 19 and the gala banquet to unveil the Prince George Citizen of the Year for the year 2001.
   Four nominees were announced as finalists. Any one of them could easily be chosen. All four have been exemplary people on behalf of their community, putting self interest well behind them. They are:
► Donalda Carson
   She has been called "An Angel Among Us” for her tireless work on behalf of the Prince George Hospice Society, which now stands as a model for hospice programs across Canada. It is more than her job, it is her passion.
All who come into contact with her are overwhelmed by her dedication far above and beyond her occupational duties.
► John Flatt
   He is a man described as small in stature but huge in heart. Well known in the community for his charity work, he is on the front lines of fund-raising and awareness building for medical and social causes. He is known as Mr. CNIB in these parts. Though legally blind himself, he carries on mammoth amounts of benevolent work.
► Ruth Rushant
   Ruth has always put the community first. Prince George has been innovated and inspired by her work to improve the educational and cultural levels of this region. She has chosen very strategic institutions and put all her energies into supporting them. The Prince George Symphony Orchestra has been particularly important to her, along with education.
► Galt Wilson
   This family doctor goes well beyond
the bounds of obligation for a physician. He is described as a teacher, community activist, and willing volunteer who always makes time in spite of a heavy professional schedule. His reputation among peer and patient alike is rich in respect, and he has the awards to prove it.
► The envelope, please...
   Next Friday night the wait will be over. The recipient will be announced during a fine banquet at the Coast Inn of the North. The Prince George Community Foundation invites the public to attend, both to be part of the excitement and to pay tribute to the four finalists who so humbly serve the people around them. Strangers and family alike, these four have improved the quality of life for all. Take any one of them away and the culture of Prince George is [>oorer. It is a shame that only one can be selected, but that one is, after all, an emblematic citizen. A citizen to stand as a symbol for all in this community who strive, selflessly, for a wonderful place to live.
   Tickets to the banquet are available (while supplies last) at the Coast Inn of the North front desk.
   the Year
   Murry Krause, 2000 Citizen of the Year
   • On hearing his name called at the gala banquet:
   “In my mind I didn’t have me selected to be Citizen of the Year.
In my mind I had other people picked, friends who were nominated. I thought one of them would win. 1 was very moved, ] certainly very proud, but also overwhelmed because with it j comes a tremendous responsibility to continue living up to this | title you’ve j been given. People might think you'd just be elated by | being selected, but | it was an interesting combination of feelings.” j • On what duties he carried out:
   “I volunteered to serve in any way that the Foundation thought appropriate. I did make some j calls to some organizations to [ talk about good citizenship: 1 had the pleasure of announcing the candidates for this year at the I July 1 celebrations; and I will have a role in the event next Fri- j day. I seized every opportunity I j could to talk about the work of the Foundation.”
   • On what the title means:
   “Hopefully you are seen as
some kind of exemplary citizen. That includes community participation, at whatever level works for you: parent advisory committees at schools, or workplace activities... And volun- i tterism is not the only mark of good citizenship. The role you play at work, how you raise our children, these are all part of our I role in serving the community" 1
By Frank Peebles