Ted Richardson is Clearwater's Citizen of the Year for 2012.
He was named to that honor during Clearwater and District Chamber of Commerce's 52nd annual Of the Year banquet on Friday evening, Oct. 19.
During his years living in this area, Richardson has played important volunteer roles with the Community Resource Centre, Wells Gray Community Forest, North Thompson Communities Foundation, North Thompson Food Coalition, Clearwater and District Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Wells Gray, Wells Gray Seniors, and other organizations.
"Ted Richardson is an inspiring example of what it means to be a compassionate, dedicated citizen!" his nominator wrote. "Ted has contributed endless hours to so many organizations throughout the North Thompson Valley.
"For many years Ted has worked willingly, cheerfully and with his heart to assist our region in becoming a sustainable, productive and communicative region."
Other nominees for Citizen of the Year were Charlene Lau, Kay Knox, Fay McCracken and Mel Sasek.
Clearwater Farmers Market took the Community Spirit of the Year award.
"Of all the activities in Clearwater that contribute to the spirit of the area on an ongoing basis, the Farmer's Market is by far the most important," the market's nominator wrote.
Abby Bates accepted the award on behalf of the Farmers Market.
Other nominees for the Community Spirit award were Dan Coleman, North Thompson Aboriginal Sharing Center, Ted Richardson, Rooted by the River Nursery, and Cheryl Thomas.
Youth of the Year award went to Katie Bieber.
"She is an enthusiastic youth and I feel the world will be a better place with young people like Katie as our youth leadership people," wrote her nominator.
Bieber and her counterpart, Reid Rebinsky, introduced a program to reduce the use of plastic bags in the community.
Also nominated for Youth of the Year were Corey Easson and Dagan Thomas.
Julie Mayo won the Employee of the Year award.
Her nominator wrote, "Julie Mayo is my idea of what an employee should be. She always greets you by your first name and asks how you are doing each time I am at the Royal Bank."
Sylvia Arduini, Hettie Buck, Frances Dyer, and Cindy Wilgosh were the other nominees for Employee of the Year.
The prize for Rookie Business of the Year went to Raft River Store.
"Jim (Vandenborre) and his staff have taken a chance and have reopened the store near Raft River School," wrote the nominator. "A store with a gas/diesel outlet is very helpful so that people don't have to travel across town to purchase these items when they live on this side of the highway."
Manager Barbara Danchuk accepted the prize for Raft River Store.
Also nominated for Rookie Business of the Year was Betty Handy Meat Pies.
Clear Water Dollar Emporium won for Retail/Service Business of the Year.
"Their place is neatly set out with lots of bargains and many things to choose from!" the nominator wrote. "Friendly staff. Always helpful and willing to order items not readily available in the store or area."
Christopher and Linda Miller accepted the prize on behalf of the business.
Other nominees for Retail/Service Business of the Year were Doug Braaten Enterprises, Chasing Summer Outfitters (Glen Pickering), Northwest Lawn and Garden (Mark Basaillon), and Rooted by the River Nursery.
The banquet once again was held in the Wells Gray Inn and the hotel once again won Tourism Business of the Year.
"Bonnie (Ruttan) and her staff always strive to accommodate family gatherings and the entire community with an approachable attitude," the nomination read.
Melody Romeo accepted the prize on behalf of the Wells Gray Inn.
Other nominees for Tourism Business of the Year were K&A Gateway Grill, O'Bryan's Café and Catering, Strawberry Moose Snackery, and Wells Gray Air