Lifetime Achievement Award
JOHN SAVAGE
The Savage family came from Ireland to Delta South in 1886, or 123 years ago. As the family grew and multiplied, farms throughout Richmond and Delta were established. Their Jersey cattle were amongst the finest herds in Canada.
The Delta branch of the Savages progressed from a dairy farm to equipment dealership, a registered Hereford beef herd, plus extensive vegetable production for Royal City Foods, Fraser Valley Foods and Lucerne Foods, a division of Safeway.
H.R. Savage and Sons was run by son Robert and helped by son Ken while son John was the Minister of Agriculture from 1986 to 1991. Retirement in early spring of 2006 saw the end of an era for this half of the Savage family. However, the Richmond Savages and still in production, milking a total of 500 Holsteins and farming 400 acres of cranberries.
- President of Delta Chamber
- Honourary Member of the Delta Chamber (1 of 2)
- Minister of Agriculture for B.C. 1986 to 1991
- Member of Delta Council (1 or 2 terms)
- Head of B.C. Federation of Agriculture
- President of Delta Farmers Institute (Current)
- Chair of Cranberry Association
- Delta Agriculture Society
- Save Delta Hospital Society
- B.C. Vegetable Commission
- Delta Municipal Agriculture By-Law Committee
.
Volunteer Award Winner
.
LINDA FROST
Volunteer extraordinaire describes Linda. Prior to moving to Tsawwassen 19 years ago with her husband and two children, Linda volunteered with the Boy Scouts of Canada. All through the children’s school years she volunteered with the school library, reading program, Parent Advisory Council, Dry Grad Committee and many others. She was Backstage Mom and Floor Manager with the Delta Academy of Dance. She has canvassed for the March of Dimes and the Cancer Society taking on the Area Captain position. Linda works with the Youth Group to the Ladies Ministry, Worship Coordinator, Kitchen Safety and for 13 years with the Delta Leadership Prayer Breakfast at her local church. As DLPB Speaker Coordinator, Linda has retained great speakers over the years, including Astronaut, Colonel James Irwin and BC Lions Head Coach, Wally Buono, to name a few. She has started working full time to support her daughters through college and will continue to volunteer wherever she can.
Volunteer Award Finalists
NEIL CORBETT
Delta Hospital Foundation
As founding member and current Head Coach of the South Delta Triathlon Club, Neil, a resident of Tsawwassen since 2000, has seen over 60 members compete in races the world over. As Technical Director and now a 10 year veteran volunteer of the Delta Triathlon, the event grew from 50 participants to over 500. Ten years after joining the inaugural Tour de Delta Board as Head Marshal and Volunteer Director to recruit and train over 200 annual volunteers, Neil now manages 150 road marshals over the 3 day weekend, helping to make Tour de Delta a premier North American race. Early this year, Neil began to serve on the Delta, Parks, Culture & Recreation Commission and joined the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen. Working for the Delta Hospital Foundation, Neil proudly gives after hours time to help many hospital fundraisers including his new initiative, Walk for Health, as well as the Delta Health Golf Classic and Moonlight Gala.
CECIL DUNN
Telecommunications Consultant
Cecil dedicated 4 years to fighting the power line travesty. He spent 2 years and 9 months reviewing, analyzing over 8000 pages and finally composing formal comments to the Affidavit of Major Projects, B.C.T.C. His training and experience over the course of his professional career, starting with Electronics Technician Apprenticeship Scholarship in 1966, six years as a mechanical and electronics technician with National Cash Register, thirty years with BC Tel and Telus encompassing the full gambit of electronic, technical and managerial positions certainly qualified him as co-Chair to the Tsawwassen Residents Against Higher Voltage Overhead Lines Society (TRAVHOL). Cecil embraced and personally positioned himself as front man in the debate. He prepared and made informational presentations to municipal councils, provincial representatives, residents and community groups, including BCTC and became knowledgeable of proposals by alternate proponents. As one exhibit, among many, he prepared a proposed Tsawwassen Schedule for a Single Underground System, Cecil sought to resolve this issue, leaving no stone unturned and exhausted all avenues.
Employee Extraordinaire Award Winner
.
.
JUDY MUELLER
Ladner Cruise & Travel Centre
Going the “extra mile” with a pleasant smile and a happy demeanour is the norm for Judy, a senior travel consultant with Ladner Cruise & Travel Centre in the Old Village of Ladner. Her career started as Flight Agent with Air Canada in 1965. She knows the industry from the inside out. She sincerely applies her exceptional and professional travel knowledge to helping clients experience worry-free, great vacations. Her staff welcomes her encouragement and training. Clients continually seek Judy’s expertise to manage their travel portfolio. Over the years, in addition to her consulting duties, Judy also manages the company’s books, has been on the executive of the Ladner Softball Association, run local Soccer Tournaments, dabbled in Real Estate and all the while raising five children. For 12 years Judy has been an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion in Ladner.
Employee Extraordinaire Award Finalists
CHARLES KONOPSKI
Burns Bog Conservation Society
Charles is a hardworking and adaptable young man who effectively balances the pressures of school and work life. He initially started as a Special Events Assistance with the Burns Bog Conservation Society as part of a Marketing Co-0p. His strong work ethic and creativity earned him respect from his co-workers as well as a promotion to For Acting Education Coordinator in September 2008. Charles successfully spearheads International Bog Days and plays an integral role in the planning and implementation of Jog for the Bog and Celebrating Women and The Spirit of the Cranes events. Charles also leads exciting new projects with the Society: Creative of Interpretive Signs, Development of an Electronic Newsletter, Research for Mobile Interpretive Centre Feasibility Study and the production of a Self-Guided Tour Booklet. Charles graduated from his Marketing Diploma from Kwantlen University in December 2008, where he continues his studies in the For Bachelors for Entrepreneurial Leadership Program.
PAULA HILL
Branch Manager, Scotiabank, Tsawwassen
Being Branch Manager of the Tsawwassen Scotiabank is a job that Paula Hill is perfect for and enjoys very much. “Paula is trying to save the world, one client at a time” is often heard from her staff who respect, admire and value Paula as their leader. She has over 23 years of financial services experience. Paula will meet with clients outside of regular working hours and is always thinking “outside the box” to put together the “right” solution. Her enthusiasm and hard working ethic has increased the banks clientele dramatically since her appointment 3 1/2 years ago. Blessed with a great sense of humour Paula makes work fun. She is an active community minded individual; playing in and coaching local sports teams, pitching the banks newest products at outdoor movie nights, Director with the TBA, involved in the Tsawwassen Sun Fest and can be found participating in some way with many community initiatives. She lives in Tsawwassen and is mother to two beautiful young ladies.
Rising Star Award Winner
.
MEGAN ANDERSON
The Upstart Crow
Artsy, eclectic, unique are a few words that best describe Megan and The Upstart Crow. Armed with incredible love for her community, passion for artistic endeavours and a strong creative vision, Megan took a one-time craft store and transformed it into a destination boutique. The Upstart Crow now specializes in BC Artisan giftware, Jewellery and art. Megan has also created an in-store studio where she offers a variety of teaching classes and workshops. As Reader’s Choice Award Winner of the past four years Megan also created “Art in the Village”, a bi-monthly gathering that celebrates and showcases local artists annually. In addition to a busy agenda as a working parent of 5, Megan finds time to provide materials and ideas for student projects at Sacred Heart School, serves with the Delta Arts Council as Chair of Gallery in the Garden and provides beautiful art pieces as auction items to many fund raising events.
Rising Star Award Finalists
CARY MARTIN
Cary Martin’s Lawn and Garden Equipment
Fearless and inspired, Cary’s decision to start a new company proved to be a successful venture. Armed with a desire to work close to home, with his wife and a heartfelt need to work in his community, Cary dove headfirst into his new business,. . Focusing on quality products and services, Cary was inundated with customers and has now opened a second location in Ladner. . He acquired a Machinist pre-Apprenticeship from BCIT, worked for BC Rail until 1974 and discovered his love for sales he went on to become a Grand Sales Master. He purchased an exotic car dealership, Distinctive Motor Cars, took the Canadian Securities Exam and started working in the Stock Market business; he specialized in and started his own Investor Relations business. Cary assists with handicap kayaking and skiing programs in the lower mainland, the Make a Wish Foundation and continues to participate in various community initiatives sharing his knowledge, compassion and love for adventure.
LINDSAY ELDRIDGE
Nurse Next Door
Lindsay is the General Manager of Nurse Next Door Home Healthcare Services in Delta. Lindsay is passionate about providing seniors and their families with the care and attention they need, and lives her company’s promise to do “Whatever It Takes to Bring You Peace of Mind”. That means educating local families on care options, spending the night caring for a client, helping families navigate the complex health care system, updating families on their parent’s condition or even driving clients to appointments. Through her passion and dedication to the local senior community Lindsay has made Nurse Next Door one of Delta’s most trusted senior care providers. Her drive and dedication truly exemplifies the company’s motto, “Making Lives Better.” In addition to her full time work, Lindsay is a wife and mother. She is expecting her second child in October.
Special Events & Tourism Award Winner
.
.
CHRIS READ
Christmas Express Winter Train
Many years ago Chris stood with children and parents looking at a Woodwards display, where a Miniature Railroad mesmerized and enlightened the onlookers. That memory and the popularity of the Polar Express movie inspired Chris to begin the construction of the “Christmas Express”, a G-scale model railroad, outside his house in Beach Grove. And background as an aircraft engineer with Jazz Airlines, with a youthful spirit and imagination he was able to complete the railroad in time for the 2006 Christmas season. For 24 days people would walk by glued in the same way they were those many years ago. Chris has added to the railroad every year since and today it is 600 feet of track, weaving through a 20 x 40 foot layout and future plans now include an equally ambitious expansion doubling the train’s journey. Chris’s gifts to his community are echoed by the many people in his life who describe him as kind and generous, a true friend and always willing to help and always without expectation of reward or recognition.
Special Events & Tourism Award Finalists
ANA ARCINIEGA
Tsawwassen Outdoor Movie Nights
In the summer of 2008, through her leadership as the Executive Director of the Business Improvement Association of Tsawwassen, Ana Arciniega introduced the idea of hosting an outdoor movie, free to the community. An energetic, intelligent, friendly and hard-working individual known to many, Ana began the hundreds of hours necessary to craft a series of three such movie nights that year – 2 in community parks and one in a local shopping centre parking lot. She partnered with close to 20 businesses and local community groups to augment each evening with demonstrations, activities, games, music, dancing and raised funds for service groups and local charities. The results were almost 1,000 children and adults of all ages attending each night. With such success, Movie Nights were repeated this year and now looks to be a permanent event for years to come.
JACKEY ZELLWEGER
Ladner May Days
When Jackey put her name forward to chair the 113th Ladner May Days in 2009, the community knew this important event was in good hands. Already running two other signature community events, heading a large family of five children with her husband Bryan, and having just finished a 5 year term as constituency assistant for Val Roddick, Jackey with her committee stepped up only to produce one of the most successful May Day Events in history with the largest parade ever at 95 entries. A talented and diverse musical offering was on display all weekend at Memorial Park. Jackey has donated countless hours over the last 15 years to promoting non profit and charity events in the community of Delta. Her love and enthusiasm to help make Delta an entertaining and interactive community shines visibly through this event as well as many others.
Business of the Year Award Winner
.
SONJA PICCARD
SPC Studio and Gallery
A professional artist for 17 years, Sonja was inspired to create a line of jewelry as homage to the teachings, concepts and the rich tradition of adornment of her study of yogic philosophy. Each piece is created with intention of spirit and meaning to the wearer with written Sanskrit mantras and symbols. The Sonja Picard Collection (SPC) has now become an internationally recognized line of Jewelry, with an expansion of her vendor base, revenue and market beyond Canadian borders. From her Ladner-based studio, office and gallery and as an active member of the Ladner Business Association, Sonja hosts local events and openings, displaying local artists’ work, where the community gets a sneak peak at her latest creations. Sonja`s collection has gained global notoriety through famous customers including Bif Naked, ABC News Correspondent Carla Wohl, who wore Sonja`s designs at the 80th Academy Awards and New Designer Gallery who invited her to exhibit at New York`s prestigious JA Summer show and the Sirius Diamond Company.
Business of the Year Award Finalists
DAVE ENNS
Delta Bike Company
During high school and for several years in Europe, Dave Enns raced all kinds of bikes and also managed to finish a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, an industry he left in 2001 to start his own kitchen/bath renovation and design company. A chance 2005 opportunity to purchase what is now the Delta Bike Company presented an opportunity for Dave to gamble on his newest venture and life’s passion in his home community of Tsawwassen. He began by providing a completely current and exciting product line together with a superb, timely bike maintenance service program and applied hard work, passion with a helpful manner and acute, relevant knowledge. Three years later, Dave was so encouraged by his growing customer base; he opened a second store in Panorama Village to serve the South Surrey market’s bike enthusiasts. He feels fortunate to be able to spend his day giving back to his community, calling it “work” and so do we.
DR. TOM GORDON
Nutri-Loc Ingredients Corporation
Tom is C.E.O., Chairman and Founder of Nutri-Loc Ingredients Corporation, operating since 2002 on Annacis Island, and winner of the IAF 2009 Award of Excellence for Innovation in Agriculture and Agri-Food, recognizing the unique and important contribution Nutri-Loc has made to BC. Tom’s 30 year scientific background researching, owning and operating an ISO 2000 manufacturing business , 20 year dental practice and an agri-business and farming corporation has helped him to initiate numerous research projects related to food dehydration and botanical extracts. Tom learned that globally, millions of pounds of high nutrient fruits and vegetables were being discarded. If dried into powders, however, they become stable and useable as food ingredients. His automated, computerized system is portable, modular and can be used right at the source of the raw material. Tom’s Goal? To revolutionize the food industry using Nutri-Loc’s chemical and preservative free drying technology in 3rd world countries to feed the masses.
Citizen of the Year Award Winner
.
.
JIM CESSFORD
Jim Cessford has served as Chief Constable for the Delta Police Department for 14 years and is Canada’s longest serving police chief. He has lectured at universities and colleges throughout Canada and is Project Manager and speaker at the International Conference for Police and Law Enforcement Executives. He’s served as President of the BCACP and BCAMCP; Chaired the Canadian Police Research Centre Advisory Board and was on the restructuring Board for the Organized Crime Agency in BC; on the organizing committee of the North Delta Terry Fox Run; Honorary Chair for the Run for the Bog in 2007 and coached the Delta Police/Fire hockey teams in the 2009 World Police and Fire games.
As a youth advocate he coached baseball/hockey; volunteered as a reader and scribe for students with learning disabilities; been involved with dry grad activities at Seaquam High School. Jim and Sheila reside in North Delta with their daughter and two sons.
Citizen of the Year Award Finalists
ANDY BLOCK
Andy Block and his family have been residents of Delta for 29 years. Andy coached or managed hockey, baseball, basketball and soccer teams. He is a member of the North Delta Rotary Club, former director and treasurer of the Boys and Girls Club Community Services Delta Richmond and previously chairman of the Bus fund-raising-committee. Andy supports multiculturalism and is a life-time member of both PICs and SUCCESS (Chinese Immigrant Society), also a member of the Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Employer’s Advisory Council. He is a member of the organizing committee for the Delta Rotary Youth Awards and was directly involved with Operation Remembrance, which placed headstones on unmarked graves of some thirty-five WW 1 veterans. Andy was recognized for his contribution to the Fleetwood Residents Association for a Seniors Out-door Recreation park. Andy has supported many community organizations and as one of his friends said ‘he brings people who have together with people who need’.
LYNN TURNER
Lynn is a consummate volunteer, active in a number of Delta-wide organizations, including Entertainment Director for the successful Rivermania Event. Lynn served fifteen years on the Board of the Delta Arts Council, is a past President and now a member of their Advisory Board. She is a keen advocate for the Canadian Mental Health Association – Delta Branch, currently Executive Director and sits on several community healthcare committees including the Delta Community Committee for Mental Health. As a director of the Delta Spirit of BC Community Committee, Lynn is part of a team that promotes community development and leadership. She produces and hosts Arts ‘Round Town for Delta Cable Television, profiling local artists and events. Lynn is the Choir Director for her church and a life member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Her time in community service volunteer positions amounts to more than 2,500 hours a year. She and her husband John have lived in Delta for 40 years where they raised 5 wonderful and very active children.