Who deserves to be recognized as Northfield Patch's Person of the Year?

During the past week, readers have submitted names of folks they feel deserve the honor. We received 10 nominations, which you'll find in the attached poll. Below, you'll find answers to two questions about each nominee from those who nominated them. We did not change the answers at all. What was submitted to us is what you see.

You can vote once a day. We will accept votes until 11:59 p.m. Monday. Feel free to comment at the bottom about why you voted the way you did. Whomever receives the most votes is Northfield Patch's Person of the Year and will have a story written about his or her efforts.

This story is one way for us to highlight all the great work going on in Northfield. The other nine people should be commended for their giving spirits as well. The person selected isn't receiving an award or gift certificate or anything to that nature—just a little recognition.

Here are the questions:

1. Why should he or she be our Person of the Year? 

2. What affiliations does this person have (groups, boards, businesses, etc.)? 

Pat Allen

1. She is involved in just about every committee in town!
2. Since she moved to town in 1976, she has been involved in: School Board, League of Women Voters, Northfield Area Foundation, WINGS, Garden Club, Northfield in Bloom, Northfield Planning Commission, and many others!

Dr. James Evans

1. He provides his knowledge and skills, with respect and dignity to our community who have limited resources with expecting nothing in return.
2. No answer.

Michelle Hawkins

1. Dedication to cleaning up Greenvale Place Apartments & informing Northfield of the Drug, alcohol, and violence issues there that spill out to the town and affect the quality of life other people living at Greenvale and the seniors of Wellstone Commons on the same property. Worked with Northfield News for nearly 2yrs to bring the story out, including several "stake outs" in her apartment at Greenvale, picnic table in the midst of loud angry drunkeness resulting in police call, enlisted aid of anonymous others. This caused CommonBond to accept their part and make changes that hopefully will make the property a safer place to live for single mothers, disabled tenants, and seniors. Has donated time effort in having a vegetable garden tilled and made ready for planting last summer , at the new halfway house for women. 
2. Volunteers 18hrs a week at Three Links Care Center, also member of Three Links Women's Auxiliary. Member of Emmaus Church.

Liz Messner

1. Liz should be person of the year for her work on the Waterford Bridge historic grant.  She successfully pulled together multiple organizations to support the grant for the bridge.  Her effort is a model of regional collaboration leading to a positive outcome for our community.
2. Waterford Township Supervisor, Owner downtown business (Aquatic Pets)

Suzie Nakasian

1. Main mover behind the Northfield Grassroots Transit Initiative, ditto the seasonal Stomp! dances, former Planning Commissioner and EQC mover and shaker, and now diligent City Council member.
2. Same as answer No. 1.

Dave Neuger

1. For his generosity in charitable giving and for doing tons of pro bono communications work for local non-profits.
2. 5th Bridge, his Church, CAC, many more.

Jan Osterkamp

1. She opened a new business in Northfield in the midst of an economic crisis, and was successful in growing the Monarch store and The Measuring Cup. She also treats her employees with respect and empowers them on the job. She is amazing to work for.
2. No answer.

Gam Prathueng

1. Gam began volunteering for Northfield Hospice at the beginning of 2011 - offering her massage skills to our hospice patients and their caregivers. She has been managing her regular customers, as well as donating much time to benefit our patients - sometimes juggling 5 or 6 patients at a time. She deserves to be Northfield's Person of the Year for her incredible generosity toward others in our community, and for her passion for helping others live well and healthfully, no matter what stage of life they are at. She is definitely my Person of the Year!
2. Northfield Hospice, Gam's Thai Massage

Zach Pruitt

1. Zach works tirelessly behind the scenes to improve the lives of youth in our community as well as the adults who work with youth.  Zach exemplifies a true Community Supporter.  He is always ready to promote Northfield and present the positive aspects of living in our community.  Zach is the best networker I know.  He gives new meaning to the concept of collaboration--between individuals and organizations public and private.  He is a creative thinker "outside the box" and because of that has helped create many new programs in Northfield.  Zach is the quintessential grant writer and has garnered thousands of dollars for our community over the years that have enabled programs for youth to be established, expanded, and maintained.  
2. Director, Healthy Community Initiative, Member Rice County Chemical Health Coalition,  Adult Board Member of the Key, provides input and staff support to many groups including the Northfield Mayor's Task Force on Youth Alcohol and Drug Use, the Mayor's Youth Council, and other groups. 

Craig Swenson

1. Courageous individual who inspires many and has made a major impact in our community working with individuals and the Northfield YMCA and Northfield Senior Center.
2. Northfield YMCA and Northfield Senior Center