Recognizing those who go above and beyond for the community

Citizen of the Year nominations being accepted

A community grows through the dedication, investment and contributions from those who live in it. Each year, the City of Guymon honors those contributions through the Citizen of the Year award. Nominations are currently being accepted.

“It's always good to encourage one another and recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and the community,” Cindy Fuerstenau, Community Relations Liaison for City of Guymon, said. “During the pandemic we can probably agree that kindness is one thing we could exemplify to ease the negativity that so many have experienced during these times. Kindness is likely a virtue the citizen of the year would represent.”

The Citizen of the Year award was first presented in 1969 to Jack Dressen. The Dale Citizenship Foundation was established in 1968 by F. Hiner Dale to identify and award one person who the Mayor and City Council considers to have been the most useful person in Guymon, Oklahoma for the previous year. This was intended to encourage the people of Guymon to be more public spirited.

As Coretta Scott King said, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

Each year, there are several residents who make an impact on the community that can be seen throughout the year. The investment that the previous Citizen of the Year recipients have made helped to build the atmosphere that is exhibited across the Guymon community. The heart of the people is what attracts new families and helps to retain generations. Through awards like the Citizen of the Year, those investments are highlighted and further encouraged.

“If you have someone in mind but you do not have an extensive background on them, go head and submit their name with any information you do have, there's a good chance that we or someone we know does have that information,” she said.

The recipient is awarded a plaque by the Mayor of Guymon during the annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet which will be held in October. In addition, the winner receives $500

from the F. Hiner Dale Award Fund to donate to the non-profit organization of his or her choice.

If you are a resident of Guymon and know of someone that lives in Guymon who has given their time and talents to special projects or organizations, please compile their name, contact information and a brief biography and account of their history and service to the Guymon Community. Nomination forms may be found on the City of Guymon website or picked up at City Hall. Completed forms may be hand delivered to City Hall at 424 N Main Street or emailed to diane.mccullough@guymonok.org with “CITIZEN OF THE YEAR' in the subject line. The deadline for nominations to be accepted is 5pm September 17th. The nominations will then be reviewed and voted on through secret ballot by City Council.

For more information contact Diane McCullough or Carmen Koehler at City Hall.