Mayor’s New Year’s honor list unveiled: ‘Inspiring achievements’

A legendary London broadcaster and the owner of the London Lightning basketball team are including on the mayor’s New Year’s honor list.

A legendary London broadcaster and the owner of the London Lightning basketball team are including on the mayor’s New Year’s honor list.

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Mayor Josh Morgan released the annual list Monday honoring more than a dozen individuals and organizations that he says have made contributions to the community in areas ranging from the environment and heritage to diversity and sports.

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“(The list) is an exciting opportunity to recognize the inspiring achievements made by members of the London community. Each honoree has made a significant contribution to the mosaic of our city,” Morgan said in a statement.

City council names the recipients based on recommendations from a standing committee. This year’s honorees include:

  • Jennifer Williams (accessibility)
  • Don Pollock (age friendly)
  • Audrey Cooper (arts)
  • Bill Brady (distinguished Londoner)
  • Brian Harris (distinguished Londoner)
  • Evelyn Chertkow (distinguished Londoner)
  • Sheilah Hogarth (distinguished Londoner)
  • Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia (distinguished Londoner)
  • Rumina Morris (diversity and race relations)
  • Diane Szoller (surroundings)
  • Jason Hick (legacy)
  • Jenna Rose Sands (humanitarianism)
  • Jamie Walls (safety and crime prevention)
  • Vito Frijia (sports)

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Brady is a name well-known to Londoners, having spent decades as a broadcaster and writer, including for The London Free Press. Frijia is a developer who owns Southside Group and is also the owner of the London Lightning, who last spring won their sixth National Basketball League of Canada championship in the league’s decade-long run.

The Lightning are now part of a new league, the Basketball Super League, that tips off this month.

Established in 1976 to recognize the arts, the annual roll call has expanded over the years to include more categories, including distinguished Londoners to recognize recipients who have made outstanding contributions to community collaboration or acts of goodwill.

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