The Pemberton and District Chamber of Commerce is opening public voting for the 2008 Citizen and Business or Businessperson of the Year, encouraging all residents of Pemberton, Area C, Mount Currie, Birken and D’Arcy to hop online and cast their ballots.

The voting period is scheduled to be open for the next two weeks on the Chamber’s website, allowing local residents to honour the volunteers and businesses who contribute to their community.

Anna Helmer, David MacKenzie, Lindsay May, Arlene McClean, Hugh and Jan Naylor and Marnie Simon are the nominees for the 2008 Citizen of the Year Award.

The Centennial Café, Shane Bourbonnais of Live Nation Canada and Pemberton Valley Home Hardware are the nominees for the 2008 Business/Businessperson of the Year Award.

The citizen’s award recognizes those who volunteer their time for the betterment of the community, while the business award honours excellent customer service and the promotion of growth and development in the local business community.

Past Citizens of the Year include the Pemberton Childcare Society, Lisa Ames, Bruce Waite, Florence Bilenduke, Duncan Low and Edith Illes. Current Chamber Secretary-Treasurer Shirley Henry won the inaugural Community Service Award in 1975.

Past Businesses of the Year include the Pemberton Valley Supermarket, The Twisted Whisker, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 201, Paperworks Office Supplies and Services, the Pemberton Children’s Centre and The Wicked Wheel.

Henry said it’s important to recognize quality service and the efforts of the many volunteers in the community.

“I think they’re all excellent nominees… They believe in their community, they’re putting in their time and giving back to the community, which is really important,” she said.

The awards are scheduled to be presented at the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting and dinner on Jan. 29 at the Big Sky Golf and Country Club.