This could have been the last year someone won Senior of the Year at the annual Civic Awards handed out by the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.
The town’s Committee of the Whole, made up of council members, voted Tuesday night in favour of removing some award categories and adding new ones.
BWG council must still vote on the issue to make any changes official.
The committee voted for one of three options to change the awards, the winners for which are announced at the town’s Canada Day celebrations.
All the categories are essentially the same, except there would be no more seniors category, and Hero/Bravery and Public Service awards would be added.
The committee also voted in favour of extending the nomination period from July 2 to the following May, and including descriptions for each award.
A point of contention for the committee was whether there should be a Public Service Award, which would recognize a Town of BWG staff member.
Mayor Rob Keffer pointed out not all town staff live in BWG, so not all of them would be eligible, but Coun. Mark Contois argued all staff should be qualify.
Coun. Raj Sandhu suggested the town move the award to a staff-only barbecue event, but Deputy Mayor James Leduc said he wanted it included in the Civic Awards.
“I want residents to meet some of our staff,” he said. “Sometimes our staff go over and above.”
Other options for changes to the Civic Awards included moving it from Canada Day to create a separate event, and not changing any of the award categories.
“I like having it on Canada Day. You get a good crowd. You get more recognition,” said Coun. Peter Ferragine.
The issue will come back to BWG council at a later date for a final vote.
