Citizen of the Year nominations sought

Brainerd Community Action is accepting nominations for the 33rd annual Citizen of the Year 2006 award.

This is an opportunity to recognize someone who has volunteered time for the betterment of the Brainerd lakes area.

Letters of nomination may include the nominee's occupation, details of volunteer work and length of service, offices held in organizations and impact of the nominee's contributions to the lakes area.

The award criteria include the following: The award must be given to a living person, the nominee volunteered services that are above and beyond normal employment or business pursuits, the services performed contributed to the welfare of the Brainerd/Baxter community and the services were performed for an extended period of time.

The selection committee will consist of past citizens of the year, Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce representatives, Crow Wing County volunteer coordinator, a financial institution representative, clergy, business owners, labor representatives, Brainerd Community Action board members and the executive director of Brainerd Community Action.

Past award recipients are Elmer Johnson, 1974; Marvin Campbell, 1975; George Bedard, 1976; Mildred Michaels, 1977; Herb Kessler, 1978, Lucille Shaw, 1979; Walter Doran, 1980; Ray Bang, 1981; Jack Echternacht, 1982; Pete Humphrey, 1983; Ray Madison, 1984; Birney Wilkens, 1985; Jack Ruttger, 1986; Bob Gross, 1987; Marv Nutting, 1988; Sara Dunlap, 1989; Tom Isle, 1990; Dick Endres, 1991; Bill Van Essen, 1992; Hanspeter Borgwarth, 1993; Jon Haapajoki, 1994; Arnie Johnson, 1995; Sister Vivian Arts, 1996; Warren Williams, 1997; Ruth Gmeinder, 1998; Kevin Thesing, 1999; Terry McCollough, 2000; Bonnie Cumberland, 2001; Paul Bloom, 2002; Reed Campbell, 2003; Steve Esser, 2004; and Dutch and Irma Cragun, 2005.

A Distinguished Service Awards banquet will be held in the fall, hosted by the Brainerd Jaycees, Brainerd Dispatch and Brainerd Community Action to honor the citizen of the year and other award recipients.

Nominations should be sent by Sept. 15 to Citizen of the Year, c/o Brainerd Community Action, 213 S. Fifth St., Brainerd, MN 56401.