Time to Vote: MO)))'s Miramichier of the Year

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MO))) received lots of feedback and email when we announced we were looking to our readers for nominations for MO)))'s first Miramichier of the Year award.  Miramichiers are a welcoming and friendly lot, and are the first to extend a hand in assistance or comfort when it's needed.

MO))) felt a poll (similar to the one we had during the municipal election this year) would be a good way to introduce some of these folks to our readers, and give them chance to express their appreciation for these people's efforts in the community.  We also hope it will encourage other people to put forward their talents, big or small, to continue to make Miramichier the best place to live in Canada.

About the Nominations

MO))) received several comments on the story nominating someone named Kihun Lee.  So many comments about this person, in fact,that it got to be a little suspicious.  MO))) contacted some of the people who left nominations for Kihun Lee to find out more about him, but we did not receive and responses.  So, Kihun Lee did not make the list -- but if you're out there, please come to our office and introduce yourself and we'll do a story about you and your good deeds in Miramichi.

We also had several readers contact us about Mr and Mrs Dr. Gerard Losier.  Judy and Gerard are well known in Miramichi for their generosity and their dedication to good causes.  Gerard is dedicated to the well being of his patients -- they all love him.  He is also instrumental in maintaining and improving the service our local hospital is able to provide through his generous donations.  Judy pours her heart and soul into many local events and fundraisers, each time making a huge contribution with her presence and efforts both in the limelight and behind the scenes.  We can't thank them enough, and they are truly in a class of their own when to comes to service to our community. Not everyone in Miramichi is able to make the contributions Judy and Gerard have made -- they know how much we admire and appreciate them -- and MO))) know's they will join us in our campaign to choose a winner in this contest.

UPDATE:  we were asked to remove the nomination for the group of hospital workers that go out of their way to care for the patients and families on their floor.  We're not sure if it's against the RHA rules to brag about the staff, but we're not taking any chances.   :(  We meant to include Patty Michaud the first time around, so we put her in and zeroed the votes.  Sorry for the false start.

Voting

• You can vote for up to two people.
• A cookie is set on your computer to keep you from voting over and over and over, but the cookie expires in a few hours so you can vote again if you wish.
• IP addresses are recorded for each vote, so we know who is fooling around and we can adjust the totals.
• Voting ends on January 10th at noon.
• Everyone is a winner.

The Nominees

Corey McDonald

Corey McDonald must be nominated for all his efforts involved with the Walter MacDonald Memorial project. It brought together our community in honour of a great man, for a GREAT cause and was an extremely successful event. The event raised almost $8000 that will go toward purchasing musical instruments for local schools. It was a huge success, and a packed house.

Nominated by Wade Hallihan

Jim Watters

I would like to nominate Jimmy Watters for this title. Jimmy is a teacher at Miramichi Valley High School. I think he should win the title because of all work he does with minor sports in Miramichi. He works with baseball during the summer but he is most often seen working with basketball. This past July he took two different teams to basketball tournaments in Sussex, this year he coaches the MVHS boys varsity team, the Harkins Middle School varsity team, the Pulamoo Bantam team, helps with the small ball program, helps with the mini-boys program, refs, and sits on the board of Miramichi Hoops and Basketball NB. He opens the MVHS gym throughout the summer for players to get in the gym, organizes and runs a week long camp, helps host the University Hoops on the River, and the Miramichi Hoops Classic. I am sure I missed something but without a doubt, Jimmy Watters is very deserving for all his volunteer work. Without him, the basketball programs in Miramichi would suffer greatly!

Nominated by Kyle Vallane

 

Patty Michaud

I think Patty Michaud should be Miramichier of the year. She is such a devoted woman and loves her job it amazes me how many woman she has helped through domestic violence issues in our community and how much awareness she tries so hard to spread. I cannot go anywhere and not mention her name and how much help she has given to just myself. I believe she definitely needs to be recognized for all her hard work.

Nominated by AM

 

Tyson Theriault

I strongly believe Tyson Theriault, a teacher at James M. Hill Memorial High School is someone who should be nominated for “Miramichier of the Year”. Tyson is not just a “teacher” but someone who inspires his students and colleagues and think about those less fortunate in our world and uses this as a motivation tool to insight amazing work from his students. This work goes well beyond the walls of a classroom and the purpose is not simply to receive a grade but to solve real world problems such as housing in Haiti, helping orphans in Uganda, building wells in India, etc. I am not certain of the statistics but I do know his students have raised well over $25,000 for various charities. It is not the monetary amount that concerns me however; the most important thing Mr. Theriault does in promote life long learning, problem solving, empathy, pride, and global citenzenship amongst his students.

we need more Mr. Theriault’s in our education system!

Nominated by anonymous

 

Wayne MacDonald

There is an outdoor rink on Howard Street near St. Mikes.  Wayne MacDonald (Blackie) built that rink.  He applied for grants and lobbied local politicians for the money.  He shovels the snow, flood the ice, cleans the shack.  He was there Christmas eve and Christmas day this year flooding the rink making sure there would be a nice sheet of ice for kids to skate on.  The city no longer looks after outdoor rinks, and for the past 10 years or more, it has been Wayne MacDonald taking care of the one in Chatham.  If you ever skated there, or saw kids playing there, you can thank Wayne MacDonald for that. Wayne is a retired linesman.  When he's not looking after the rink, he's on the road helping get the power back in places where the weather hasn't been so nice, like in New York after hurricane Sandy.

Nominated by Chopper Robinson