The Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce Dec. 14 announced that Chris Ayling is its 2011 Citizen of the Year.

He is being recognized for his work on the Cranbrook Connected Committee, which he served on as chair and continues to move forward as the city’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan.

Nominator Gord Johnston, who also served on the Cranbook Connected Committee stated, “For the past year and a half Chris has worked tirelessly to lead the way to completing the Cranbrook plan. Chris was the committee liaison with community members, community groups, city staff and mayor and council. The effort that Chris put into this project was and continues to be exemplary. He leads by example and has not shied away from difficult situations that the committee endured throughout the process.

“I believe that Chris’s efforts have made a significant contribution to our community, and now for our future,” Johnstone outlined.

Ayling, who also helps out with the Hungry For Life Haiti fundraiser and has worked with Cranbrook in Bloom and the Columbia Basin Trust, said the chamber has bestowed upon him “an amazing honour.

“I should point out the chamber supported Cranbrook Connected right from the start and they played a key role helping us a deliver a sustainability plan for our whole community. So it’s pretty special to have things come full circle with that kind of recognition,” he told e-KNOW.

“I also really do want to share this award with my fellow volunteers on Cranbrook Connected, Laurie Cordell in particular, who helped facilitate our process, and (former Cranbrook Mayor) Scott Manjak who had the foresight to get the project off the ground. It takes a team effort to accomplish things! I hope this award will inspire other citizens to step up and try to make a difference,” Ayling said.

The chamber will officially recognize Ayling during its inaugural 2012 luncheon meeting on January 18.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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