Long standing Hazelton resident and mayor Alice Maitland, was named as one of 36 outstanding British Columbians named to be a recipient of the 8th Annual BC Community Achievement Awards by Premier Christy Clark and Keith Mitchell, chair of the BC Achievement Foundation.
“Each of these people has a remarkable record of enhancing the quality of life of residents throughout the province,” said Premier Christy Clark. “And each truly deserves to be singled out and recognized by all British Columbians for their contributions.”
Mitchell added that “these individuals work diligently all year round and their contributions yield concrete and lasting benefits for all of us. Their work stands as a beacon to selfless community service and our lives are richer for it.”
Local MLA and former Hazelton Council member Doug Donaldson said he is thrilled to see Maitland get some long overdue recognition.
“I think if anyone deserves recognition it’s Alice, as she has done such a great job representing the whole north-west and being a voice for small rural communities,” he said. “I have known her for about 20 years and worked on council for 10 years with her and she was a big influence and in some ways a mentor. She taught me a lot about putting the interests of community first in decisions you make as a public figure, whether it is as a municipal politician or an MLA.”
Donaldson added that watching her operate and deal with people even when people knew she disagreed with them was inspiring as they still felt like she listened to them and they got a fair hearing.
“I think she is in touch with the values of the community in a big way and she is fierce and fearless in defending those values,” he said.
Maitland will be receiving her award, which is a medallion designed by B.C. artist Robert Davidson, on April 20th at the Government House in Victoria.