Eight finalists named for Burton Award
The Lee County Board of County Commissioners has announced the eight finalists for the 18th annual Paulette Burton Citizen of the Year Award for 2008. The finalists are Jay Anderson of Fort Myers, Christina Crawfis of Fort Myers, Gayle Edwards of Fort Myers, Brian Griffin and Kathy Malone of Matlacha, Helen Kralj of Bonita Springs, T. Wayne and Marvis Millerof Fort Myers, Robbie Roepstorff of Sanibel and Joyce Sanders of Fort Myers.
The winner will be announced at the 9:30 a.m, Tuesday, Feb. 19, Lee County Commission meeting in the second floor chambers in the Old Lee County Courthouse (2110 Main Street in downtown Fort Myers.)
A Board of County Commissioners appointed committee of seven individuals narrowed the 20 nominations to the eight finalists. The commissioners will select the winner from that list of eight.
The award was created in 1991 to honor Mrs. Burton, a long-time Sanibel Island resident and government watch dog. She spent many years serving as a voice of the people to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners as well as playing an active role in Sanibel politics. She died in a 1991 car accident.