Municipal Hall

July 23, 2008 / 7:00 PM

The District of Maple Ridge's Social Planning Advisory Committee in conjunction with Maple Ridge Council announced this year's recipients of the highly regarded Good Business and Good Neighbour Awards at this week's Council meeting. In total, four were handed out.

MacDonald Realty Ltd. (in the over 25 employees category) and The Ridge Coffee Roasting Company (under 25 employees) were presented with Good Business Awards while John Macdonald and Klaus and Betty Von Hardenberg were the winners of the Good Neighbour Award.

Harvey Exner accepted one of the Good Business Awards on behalf of MacDonald Realty Ltd. which has contributed immensely to the youth of Maple Ridge. Staff of the realty company have donated time to youth causes and fundraising efforts providing much needed support for our younger citizens. The Ridge Coffee Roasting Company, the other recipient of the Good Business Award has been a big supporter of local artists. Musicians have been provided a venue and audience at the company's Maple Ridge store leaving customers fulfilled by more than just great tasting coffee.

John Macdonald is a Coquitlam firefighter who works tirelessly outside of his regular work to help keep the streets of Maple Ridge looking clean and welcoming. He collects old paint and cleans up unsightly graffiti. On top of all this, he participates in Ironman triathlons and still manages to give of his time freely to a good community cause.

Betty and Klaus Von Hardenberg were nominated by fellow neighbours for their efforts assisting and supporting others in the neighbourhood such as hosting barbecues, garage sales and dances. They are well known for their advocacy work especially on behalf of seniors and were key players in the formation of the Thornhill Aquifer Protection Society.

Recipients of the Good Business Award are selected in part by how they demonstrate or exemplify the spirit and the principles of building community capacity and promoting community involvement. The Good Neighbour Award criteria include committing ongoing acts of kindness, exemplifying the ideal good neighbour and championing a community or neighbourhood cause.

"The contribution of this year's Spirit of Community Award winners have gone a long way to build and maintain a healthy community for all of us," said Mayor Gordy Robson. "We are thankful for the work and effort of this year's award recipients."

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Attached Photo: Betty and Klaus Hardenberg receiving their Good Neighbour Award from members of Maple Ridge Council. L-R: Councillor Craig Speirs, Councillor Ernie Daykin, Betty Herdenberg, Klaus Hardenberg, Mayor Gordy Robson, Councillor Judy Dueck, Councillor Al Hogarth, Councillor Linda King and Councillor Ken Stewart