For many decades, The Orillia Packet & Times recognized local community champions with its annual Citizen of the Year award. However, when the newspaper was suddenly and unexpectedly closed in November of 2017, after 147 years of operation, it appeared the yearly award would be discontinued.
But then Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke and Coun. Ralph Cipolla rallied their peers to support the continuation of what is the city's highest civic honour. That year, and every year since, the city has shepherded the process, allowing a committee of past winners and local journalists to pick the community's top citizen.
To be named Citizen of the Year means joining an august group. Previous winners have done incredible things – from spearheading the construction of the Stephen Leacock boathouse to championing campaigns to save the hospital.
Other winners have rallied the community to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, while some have led efforts to aid the environment, to end homelessness, to protect victims’ rights, to prevent hunger and poverty and other important causes.
Last year's winner, Derick Lehmann, whom Mayor Don McIsaac said had a "heart of gold," was emotional when he was named the top citizen of 2023.
He fought back tears as he pointed to his niece and nephew, who were in the audience, as inspirations to give back to the community. Just weeks earlier, Lehmann took the funds raised through an event to purchase gifts for other children over Christmas, with his niece and nephew coming along to help.
“Lately, they've been a reason I've been giving back, because I like to see community come together at events that I put together,” he said. “It was a really fun day going out and spending like $14,000 on a toy shopping spree … (and) part of that is them knowing that they weren't taking those toys home … (they were) for other kids."
He says he gets joy out of supporting others.
"It's about giving back to the community,” Lehmann said after receiving the prestigious honour. “I love giving back, and I encourage everybody else to give back, whether it's time or money or effort."
Who should be Orillia's Citizen of the Year for 2024? That's up to you as nominations are now open. The deadline for nominations is noon on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Nominations must be submitted using the nomination form available online at orillia.ca, or from the Service Desk located in the Orillia City Centre (50 Andrew St. S.).
Submissions must include the full name and contact information for the nominator and the nominee, as well as a detailed explanation of why the nominee deserves to be named Citizen of the Year. The award is not open to groups or organizations.
Nominees must be residents of Orillia, the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, or the townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara or Severn, who have contributed to the betterment of Orillia. The decision will be based on the nominee's accomplishments as a volunteer in 2024.
The 2024 Citizen of the Year Award will be presented by Mayor McIsaac at a regularly scheduled Council meeting in early 2025.
The 2024 Citizen of the Year panel includes former winners Derick Lehmann, Cam Davidson, Marci Csumrik, and Fred Larsen, as well as OrilliaMatters editor Dave Dawson, Pure Country 106 Morning Host Carey Moran, and Orillia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Allan Lafontaine.
