Voting for the 12 people nominated in the annual Sentry Great Person Award begins today.
To vote, please use the ballot that is located on page 10 of the Dec. 14 Sentry. We ask that each person votes no more than once, but that ballot can be used for more than one person. For example, if you have four people in your household, they can all vote – just note it on your ballot.
Voting needs to be done with the ballot sent, delivered or faxed to our office. Votes cannot come in via email or over the phone. Please feel free to make copies of the ballot to allow more people to vote. We hold people to the honor system that a single person can vote no more than one time.
If you have questions, please call the Sentry office at 282-4337 ext. 229. To fax in your vote, please use 282-4339. Voting begins today and will run until Friday, Dec. 28 at 5 p.m. The winner will be announced in the Jan. 4 edition, will win a plaque and be asked to be the subject of the Weekly Interview.
Here are the nominees for the 2007 Sentry Great Person Award (some nominations were edited for space):
• Becky Keirman of South Portland was nominated by Trisha Parker. “She works two jobs, shops for friends, plus takes care of raising two grown girls.”
• Cindy Urbano Billingslea, owner of Evelyn’s Tavern, was nominated by Peg Murphy-Mooers, both of South Portland. “Cindy is always one of the first to volunteer her time and the use of her business to raise funds for people in need. This year she has held fundraising events for a family displaced by a fire that destroyed their home; a young man overburdened by medical bills not covered by his insurance for his dying wife; for the family of a deceased patron, and others. She does a great job of unselfishly helping those in need in the local community.”
• Tom and Margo Hill of South Portland were nominated by Doris A. Cook. “They are in charge of putting on (the first Sunday of every month) the dinner for Preble Street Soup Kitchen. They have been doing this for years.”
• Phil Doria of South Portland was nominated by Chuck Igo. “Phil is coming to the end of an extremely active run as a member of numerous booster groups that serve the South Portland sports teams. Countless hours invested in not just his own children, but all of our city’s children who look at sports for what they are – games that are designed to be fun. This aspect of Phil Doria’s involvement is but a tip of what he gives to our city each and every day.”
• Mike McGovern of Cape Elizabeth was nominated by Jean Ginn Martin. “Mike is the town manager of Cape Elizabeth and is totally dedicated to making Cape Elizabeth an awesome place to live! Mike as worked for Cape Elizabeth since he graduated from college. He spends virtually every waking hour attending meetings, answering e-mails, or talking on the phone in order to communicate with the many constituencies he serves! He always has time to meet with a school group of Scout troops to explain how town government works. Mike also sits on the International Rotary Board and has traveled all over the world to help eradicate polio in other countries. The people of Cape Elizabeth are very fortunate to have Mike in charge of their town!”
• Kathryn DiPhilipo of South Portland was nominated by Carol Campbell. “Kathy has worked tirelessly seeking grant money, obtaining preservation items, giving lectures, writing a book, locating a new facility, clearing (with her mom’s help) a forgotten cemetery, keeping local history alive for the generations to come all the while raising with her husband a young family of three.  Our city is a better place because of her!”
• Linda Eastman of South Portland was nominated by Kathy DiPhilippo. “What impresses me most about Linda is the incredible energy and passion that she shows on a daily basis in her volunteer activities – no matter what task is at hand, Linda can do it and do it well. Linda is the president of the South Portland Historical Society and is a wonderful leader for our organization. If there is a large, complex event or project, Linda has the ability to plan, organize and get the job done, and with style! Linda is a caring, thoughtful, and generous person who volunteers tirelessly for the South Portland community. She is most deserving of the 2007 Great Person award.”
• Mary Neal of South Portland was nominated by David Stevens. Mary was nominated “for her work with veterans. She is a tireless person working for the Stewart P. Morrill  Post Auixilliary, the DAV, and her Gift Shop at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough, delivering gifts to all the residents this time of year.”
• Bob Johnson, owner of Scratch Baking Co. of South Portland was nominated by Allison Reid. “He is tireless in his giving to our customers charitable organizations, staff and our community.”
• Joann Soucy of South Portland was nominated by Michael Soucy. “Not only is she a phenomenal mother and grandmother who enjoys providing Sunday dinners for her family but she has also served several spaghetti dinners for local charities and South Portland High Schools Project Graduation for many years. Additionally, Joann has volunteered at the South Portland’s Quarterback Club for over 20 years. Joann always gives without expecting anything in return and she has indefinitely made this community a better place to live!”
• Kim Gillis of Cape Elizabeth was nominated by Chris Bagley of South Portland. “I would like to nominate Kim Gillis. Kim is a Home Day Care Provider in Cape Elizabeth. Kim’s dedication to guiding her own children and the daycare children into social awareness and volunteerism is amazing. She is one of the most dedicated providers in the state. The Cape Elizabeth community knows these children by the name “Caring Kids of CE.”
• Rosemarie DeAngelis of South Portland was nominated by Bill Marshall of Cape Elizabeth for all her work in the community, especially with children.