CARIBOU – Joseph Bouchard Jr. was presented the Citizen of the Year award Friday night by the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Chamber’s annual meeting.

The meeting, attended by about 160 people at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center, was billed as a night to recognize people who make Caribou a better place to live.

Along with Bouchard, eight other people or groups were honored.

On behalf of the nominating committee, Dr. Craig Small presented the Citizen of the Year award and four Spirit of Caribou awards.

Bouchard was selected for four decades of work in the Caribou area. He is now a member of the City Council, a former deputy mayor and member of the Northern Maine Regional Planning Commission board of directors, and a member of the Nylander Museum board of directors.

He has held numerous positions in Jaycees at the local, state and national level, and was president of the Kiwanis Club, the Madawaska Acadian Festival and the Madawaska Rotary Club. He was also a director in the Katahdin Area Boy Scouts of America, a member of the University of Maine at Fort Kent Scholarship Committee, the Maine Loring Association, and the Caribou Winter Carnival Committee.

A former president and CEO of the County Federal Credit Union, Bouchard was chairman of the state league of credit unions and a national officer of the credit union. He was the first president of the Aroostook County Chapter of Credit Unions in 1975, and was chairman of the Caribou Board of Education in 1976.

Vaughn “Bud” Brewer received the Spirit of Caribou Award for his unselfish acts in helping needy individuals, be it a leaky roof or rides for dialysis treatment.

John Noble also received the award for his work with the local snowmobile club and his donation of 57 acres in Caribou for the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery. Noble is a veteran of the Korean War.

Ray and Connie Harmon received the award for their work for the church and the community. They have also been Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders and active members and workers of the VFW, the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, Eastern Star, the PTA, Band Parents, Bridge Club, the Caribou Country Club and the snowmobile club.

Kirk Tibbetts presented the Business of the Year award to Stainless Food Service Equipment Mfg. Inc. The company was lauded for establishing a machinists training program with the Northern Maine Technical College, making a 4,800-foot expansion of the facility and for increasing employment at the plant by 33 percent.

The Chamber also recognized the VFW Ladies Auxiliary for the group’s donations of time and money to the community. Receiving the award was President Lorraine Malloy and past president and present secretary Janet Hanson.

Past Presidents Awards were presented to Patti Corriveau and Dottie Fitzgerald.