This year's Lac La Biche Citizen of the Year has family, business and community connections across the Lakeland from Lac La Biche to Plamondon and St. Paul.
Jim Piquette is this year's Citizen of the Year, nominated for his community involvement, work with several local organizations and business accomplishments.
“I was pretty humbled. I’m not really the guy to get out in front and get my name out there. I like to do it for the community, to see things move ahead and to get people together,” Piquette told Lakeland This Week last on July 28.
Piquette, the owner of a Lac La Biche real estate business, was nominated for his decades of work on local and regional projects, including his role in creating the Lac La Biche snowmobile club, his volunteer work and organizational roles with the Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days Fish Derby, the Lac La Biche Golf Club, Lac La Biche Curling Club, minor hockey and the Lac La Biche Kinsmen. His support of the local and area business community and support of the community through those business connections were also part of the nomination.
“After hearing it all listed out, I was sort of surprised,” said Piquette with a laugh, after the full list of his contributions in the nomination papers were read back to him. “I think I just do it like everyone else who wants the best for their community, their neighbours and their families. It’s important to keep the volunteer spirit alive and to keep the community moving ahead.”
Piquette, a married father of two, says family is at the top of the list when it comes to “getting life right.” He said his parents and his extended family have always been the foundation he draws from.
“You just want to do the right thing. You want to see others smile and see them help others to keep those smiles going,” he said.
Piquette and area volunteer Annette Plamondon were recognized this year for their wide-reaching contributions; Plamondon was nominated as the Senior Citizen of the Year.
The Citizen of the Year awards have been taking place during the annual Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days — and its recent Summer Days name-change — for more than three decades.
Plamondon and Piquette join a list of community builders and supporters from past nominations in the citizen, junior and senior categories of the annual award. Previous winners include Jim and Sophie Hamar, Kelly Abougouche, Helen Rogers, Roy Whitford, Duane Young, Ted Langford, Rene Schaub and Tom Maccagno.
