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Giuliano Fernie’s Citizen of the Year
Long-time City of Fernie councillor and volunteer extraordinaire Mary Giuliano was presented with the Fernie Citizen of the Year award, part of the annual Community and Business Excellence Awards Oct. 27 at the Fernie Golf and Country Club.
Sponsored by the City of Fernie, Giuliano was presented with the award by Mayor Cindy Corrigan, whom she is running against for the mayor’s chair in the Nov. 19 election.
“She’s an integral part of the Fernie community,” Corrigan said. “She is truly a hard working citizen. She’s been a volunteer her whole life.”
Also nominated for the award were Dee Hatina and Rebecca Hall.
Prior to the gala evening’s concluding honour, numerous Fernie businesses received awards.
The Gearhub came away as the lone multiple award winner, receiving honours for New Business of the Year and Outstanding Customer Service.
Le Grand Fromage and Midge’s Mags & Movies were also nominated for New Business of the Year, while Giv‘Er ShirtWorks and Yamagoya Restaurant were nominated for Outstanding Customer Service.
Giv‘Er Shirtworks was honoured as Business of the Year, while Ghostrider Trading won the Chamber Business Excellence Award.
Fernie Fix and Gearhub were the other nominees for Business of the Year, while Gearhub and Side Street Sweet Shoppe were nominees for Business Excellence.
CP Catering, which provided the evening’s lavish meal, received the award for Entrepreneur of the Year, edging out East Kootenay Security Services and Gearhub.
Scott Prentice, owner of El Guapo Mexican Diner, received Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, ahead of photographer/cinematographer Nic Genovese and Big Bang Bagels’ Carolyn Doyle.
The Fernie Ghost Riders hockey team won the Community Impact Award, ahead of Fernie Mountain Bike Club and Fernie Trails Alliance.
The evening was capped off by an inspiring speech by Nanaimo resident Michael Borolotto, ‘The Positive Rebel.’
Born with cerebral palsy, Borolotto lifted himself from a life on the streets of Nanaimo to become a much sought-after inspirational speaker, now having made more than 2,000 speeches around the world.
His message was clear – never give up.
“Always embrace uncertainty and never, ever, ever rest on your laurels,” he said.
“Self leadership” is needed for business owners, and everyone else, to succeed, he said, noting that he emerged from the streets by developing “this crazy vision. If no one is going to hire me, maybe I can hire myself,” he said, adding that three weeks later he started his business, with an eye on being a recreation consultant.
Borolotto’s stories linked from one crowning achievement to another, for a child and young man with cerebral palsy, beginning with his conquering of his grandparent’s “19 stairs” as a youngster, to learning how to catch a football, to overcoming the uncertainty and terror of having to speak in front of people to learning how to use a chainsaw.
He expertly blended pathos and wry humour to entrance his audience, which responded enthusiastically to the lively Borolotto.
“The vision is not over. This is just the beginning,” he said. “Life is about evolution. It’s about moving forward.”
Evening emcee Evelyn Cutts noted after Borolotto’s speech, “We grown tonight because of Michael.”
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
