Votes are pouring in for the Leader’s annual Great Person contest. Have any of the nominees touched your life? The deadline for getting us your pick is less than a week away. Voting will end on Thursday, Dec. 24, and the winner will be announced in the Jan. 8 edition.

Kendra Haskel nominates Wendy Chaff, also known as “Wendy the bus driver.”
“I nominate Wendy for the Great Person Award because she keeps my children safe. Wendy is an amazingly conscientious bus driver. She teaches the children about safety every day. She looks out for them. If Wendy hadn’t been so strict about the protocol of getting off the bus and crossing the street things could be very different for my daughter. That day a car sped by the stopped school bus, ignoring the flashing lights,the stop sign jutting out.”
Lori Bloom nominates Barbara Chasse, a retired teacher who has been volunteering at Blue Point Elementary School.
“Mrs. Chasse works with students in a small group setting and one on one. As an experienced teacher, she often puts her own twists on concepts to help students (and observing teachers) learn. Although she will be celebrating her 90th birthday in the next few years, she has more energy and stamina than anyone else I know. Mrs. Chasse can also be found every Friday playing piano for the residents of the Maine Veterans Home.”
Alyssa, Libby and Reegan Brackett nominate Jack B. Cowie Jr. “for his tireless support of not only us but also all Scarborough High School students.”
“Mr. Cowie has certainly earned his title of “No. 1 fan” not only for the ongoing support of athletics but also his encouragement of student involvement and leadership off the field. It is because of him that the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) program gained popularity among SHS and the program ultimately graduated so many Scarborough students. I think it’s very difficult to find a Scarborough student, in the past decade that has not heard of, met or gotten a Gatorade and some positive encouragement from him. In recent years, we have read about “Great Person” awards for those who have touched the lives of their peers, neighbors and community and I think it’s important that Mr. Cowie is finally recognized for everything he’s done, the programs he’s supported and all the students he has encouraged.”
Nanci Goudey nominates Sam Kelley.
“Sam is one of the driving forces behind the Project GRACE organization. As one of its original members, Sam has helped to create a charitable organization that has assisted hundreds of people, in the town, as well as the greater Portland area. Sam is a friend and neighbor. He is always looking out to be sure all is OK with us. He has also become a great and dear friend to my oldest son, the two of them solving all the political problems of the world together. Sam Kelley is one who never “toots his own horn.” He accomplishes small miracles (and occasionally big ones!) behind the scenes, and lives the credo ‘pay it forward.’”
Kimberly and David Grover nominate Dan McKeown.
“For the past two years Dan McKeown has volunteered as the coach of Scarborough’s Junior Olympic Cross Country Team. Dan has spent many afternoons and hours coaching the boys and girls teams to two very successful seasons. At regionals in New York City the team again performed exceedingly well, qualifying for the National Junior Olympic Championship in Virginia. This year the teams again did very well under Dan McKeown’s guidance, successfully competing at the state and regional levels. Using his own resources, he traveled with the team to New York City as well as Virginia.  With our struggling economy, it is rare to find someone so willing to give of their time, energy, and resources, for the good of kids. Perhaps most significant, is that Dan’s coaching comes from a place of kindness, and respect for the kids, their families, and the sport of running.  Dan McKeown provides our children with not only a wonderful running program, but a wonderful role model.
Kathy Mower nominates Darcy Prock, an instructor at Lifestyles in Scarborough, who has attended all 10 or more fundraisers without missing any to show her support for the family of Belinda Taylor, who was killed by her husband earlier this year. “She has volunteered her time by either teaching zumba at every event or by helping set up the event. She has worked tirelessly because she was a dedicated friend and boss to Belinda. Darcy is also a great role model for all ages of people. She teaches them that if they work hard they will get results. That if they believe in themselves they can achieve what they need in life. Darcy is the kind of person many would be happy to see win the award.”

To vote, please use the ballot located next to this story. We ask that each person votes no more than once, but that a 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, with an individual signature indicating each person.
Voting needs to be done with the official ballot and may be sent to or delivered to our office at 180 Main St. in Biddeford, 04005. We will not accept ballots by phone, e-mail or fax.
You can make photocopies of the ballot to allow more people to vote, however we hold people to the honor system that a single person can vote no more than one time.
If you have questions, please call Ward Peck at 282-4337 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Voting will end on Thursday, Dec. 24, and the winner will be announced in the Jan. 8 edition.