MARCH 8, 2006
Members Statements
Awards to Parksville citizens

R. Cantelon: The Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce recently honoured eight of its citizens for outstanding achievements in their community — for achievements in business, to be sure, but also for their significant contributions to the greater good of the community. They were feted, and their efforts were properly recognized at a gala community awards dinner which was attended by several hundred citizens of the Parksville community.

           Paulina Alexander received the Outstanding Service award for providing blue-ribbon customer service at the Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa and Resort.

           Alex Fras received the Entrepreneur of the Year award for taking a risk and seizing an opportunity with his new business, Island Low Cost Movers. His business has been thriving as people are moving back into Parksville.

           Bill Ormiston received the Small Business of the Year award for Parksville Home Hardware. Bill combines a personal, friendly approach with a great product selection and consumer advice.

           Don Hirsch received a Big Business of the Year award. Again, it was the Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa and Resort — a double winner. This business is big on its commitment to community projects as well as being an outstanding resort. Make a note of it. It's a great resort.

           The Society of Organized Services was declared Newsmaker of the Year for the society's leadership of the Crystal Meth Task Force. This group led the province as one of the founding organizations to lead the charge against this scourge.

           Charlotte Robertson, a student at Ballenas Secondary School, received the Youth of the Year award for a long list of community and school events that would wear out most adults.

           Louise Wall was awarded Volunteer of the Year award. Louise founded the Parksville Garden Society, which is beautifying the old railway station as a 2010 project — the railway gardens.

           Bill McKinney best epitomized the can-do, let's-get-it done attitude of this community and received the prestigious Citizen of the Year award. Whatever the community event, Bill will be there leading but also rolling up his sleeves to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

           I ask the House to add their congratulations to those of the Parksville chamber in honouring these outstanding citizens.

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