MAPLETON – John Ford Award recipients will be selected by a committee including a member of Ford’s family, Mayor Gregg Davidson, councillor Marlene Ottens and clerk Larry Wheeler.
Ottens brought forward the idea for the award about a year ago, shortly after Ford died, and “the family was very supportive of that,” Davidson said.
“John was an unannounced ambassador for this community. If you knew John, he absolutely knew you – he knew your name, your birthdate – he knew everything, and he remembered, even if you met him only once, he knew,” Davidson said.
“And he is well missed by a lot of people in this community. So this is absolutely a very good person to name an award after.”
Ford’s family was hoping to launch the award this year, but aren’t sure if they’re ready for that yet, Davidson noted.
“So we’re shooting to get everything put in place” so that it’s ready to be presented some time next year.
The committee will return to council with recommendations for the award.
The award will likely include “a nice, crystal type of award,” Davidson said, like the one given to the Kinsmen Club.
