Surrey – Surrey City Council has named James Good as Surrey’s 2018 Good Citizen of the Year. The award recognizes an individual who has given long-standing and exceptional community service towards making Surrey a better place to live.
“The Good Citizen of the Year award is about honoring an individual who is the embodiment of the selfless and community minded spirt of volunteerism,” said Mayor Linda Hepner. “I can’t think of an individual more deserving of this award than James Good. Since 1988 James has been devoting his time to bettering our community and enhancing the quality of countless lives in our city.”
In three decades of community service, James has been a steadfast volunteer and the catalyst of many programs. Notable contributions include:
- The Peace Arch H-2-H Program. James, along with his wife Monique, provided a ride home for seniors who have no safe means of transportation after being discharged from hospital.
- Dart’s Hill Garden. James started as a volunteer guide, was instrumental in the creation of the Garden’s Conservancy Trust Society and is now an official “Life Member” of the Society.
- The Semihamoo Peninsula Affordable Housing Society. James was one of the pioneers of this Society formed in 1993 to help encourage and expedite affordable housing in the city. Notable projects include Rosemary Green and the Newton Green Housing developments.
- The South Surrey Food Bank where he grew vegetables for the food bank’s distribution under the group known as the South Surrey Garden Club.
- The Crescent Road Decorative Park Area where James helped to maintain and beautify a part of Heron Park at the entrance to Crescent Beach.
The Good Citizen award recipient is chosen by Council and is presented to a City of Surrey resident who has given outstanding service for the betterment of the community.
