Chamber of Commerce Seeks First Citizen Nominees

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The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce has opened the application process for its prestigious First Citizen of Cherokee County Award.

The distinct title of First Citizen of Cherokee County is bestowed upon a man or woman who has resided in the county for a minimum of five years and has shown significant meritorious service to his or her community through family, civic and/or religious involvement.

A panel of out-of-town judges reviews the accomplishments of each applicant, and the winner is chosen based upon merit.

Sponsored by the Chamber, the 41st Annual First Citizen will be announced during the organization’s annual meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center.

The 2016 honoree will join a prestigious list of Cherokee residents that includes former Canton physician Dr. Grady Coker, who was the initial recipient in 1971 along with Frankie Shepherd who was chosen as the 2015 First Citizen.

The First Citizen program, which went defunct in 1986, was revived in 1992 when retired Georgia Power Area Manager Bill Wester was chosen as the 17th recipient.

First Citizen applications are available at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce at 3605 Marietta Highway in Canton or online at www.CherokeeChamber.com.

All applications must be turned in by 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11. For more details, contact the Chamber at 770-345-0400.

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Photo: Frankie Shepherd, the 2015 First Citizen recipient