Voting for the 14 people nominated in the annual Post Great Person Award begins today.

What person do you think helps make working and living in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel so wonderful? Readers nominated eight outstanding individuals as of Dec. 1 and it is up to you to determine who is who is honored with the award. The award is meant to be a ‘Thank you!’ for all they do during the year.

Each nominee seems more than qualified for the honor, but we’d like to know what you think.

To vote, please use the ballot printed in this week's edition. 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. We will not accept ballots by phone, email 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 the  Post office at 282-4337 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Voting will continue until Wednesday, Dec.17 at 5 p.m. The winner will be announced in the paper of Dec. 24 and will win a plaque and be asked to be the subject of the Weekly Interview. They will also know that a lot of people appreciate all they contribute to the community.

Here are the nominees:

James, Patricia, Alexander and Sean Berry of Kennebunk nominate Selectman Dan Boothby for the award. “The reason we would like to see Dan win is because he is a truly great person! In addition to the duties he performs as selectman, he has given up untold hours of his time as head coach for the Rams Pee Wee football program for at least the last two fall seasons and probably quite a few before that. He also manages the Cummings Market on Alfred Road and always seems to have the time to say hello, with a smile, asks about your family or if you can find everything you need while you’re there. He has made our family feel very welcome in Kennebunk and we enjoy our encounters with Dan...and we would like him to know how much his kindness has meant to our family.”

Brian Fox of Wells nominated “Kate” at Duffy’s in Kennebunk, “Awesome, awesome server. So very helpful. Great smile. You will love her;” “Kendra,” a cashier at Kennebunk Stop n Shop, “Awesome, awesome cashier. So, so helpful and polite to everyone,” and “Lexy K.,” a cashier at Garden Street Market, “So, so helpful to me and customers. A+ smile. So, so pretty. Please award her.” The Post thanks Brian for his enthusiasm for all the workers in town.

Jeni Kingston of Kennebunkport was nominated by Jennifer West of Kennebunkport. “She dedicates countless hours to our community’s children. The time Jeni spends volunteering for Consolidated School is immesurable. The plays she directs, time spent in classrooms, on fieldtrips and fundraising to enrich students’ lives is incredible. Our community would not be the same without her dedication. Our children and parents are so lucky!”

Claudette McInnis of Arundel was nominated by the Animal Welfare Society’s Gail Crowell of Kennebunk. “In 2009 Claudette McInnis will celebrate 10 years of volunteer work with the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk. She has the sunniest disposition and is always willing to help. Most recently she organized the table at the Kennebunk Election Day bake sale which raised over $1,000 for the Spay Neuter Program at the shelter... You may know her as the deli lady at Garden Street Market who always has a smile and sincerely wants to know how you are doing…I know she’ll be embarrassed that I nominated her because she is so humble but please vote for Claudette.”

Gregory Black of Kennebunk nominates Rev. Dr. Ruth Merriam, pastor Of The Church On The Cape in Cape Porpoise. “She works tirelessly on a daily basis from early morning visits to hospitals and treatment centers to evening visits to homes of those in need. She supports her community and surrounding towns without regard of the personal commitment required to do so. She is personally committed to the development of children through love, honesty and education. Though being a pastor, Dr. Merriam is supportive to anyone in need regardless of their faith. Ruth is most deserving of of this recognition.”

Todd Nutting (also known as The Milkman) of Kennebunk was nominated by Rev. Janet Leighninger of Kennebunk’s Christ Church because he “is one of the most unassuming, kind, hardworking people I have ever had the pleasure to know. He regularly visits elderly people. He also does errands for them and takes them for rides along the beach... Rarely does he and his wife come to church without picking up one or two members who have difficulty driving. He works with the youth on the Acolyte program which is coordinated by his wife, Mary Lynn…He spends hours in the woods cutting and delivering firewood so Everett will stay warm in the winter…I could go on and on but perhaps the best way to say it is: If anyone lives The Golden Rule it is Todd Nutting. We are blessed to have him as a part of this community and our church family.”

Susan Plass of Kennebunk was nominated by Jennifer Merry of Kennebunkport. “She has volunteered her time for 16 years coaching baton-twirling in the Kennebunks. Her time every day is dedicated to this community activity.”

Sassy Smallman of Kennebunk was nominated by Jen Niese of Kennebunk “for her tireless and very effective efforts to get out the publicity for non-profit organizations especially in the areas of energy and the environment (for the school district and Sierra Club) and for people in need (like Nora the little girl from Iraq).”

Barbara Weeman of Kennebunk was nominated by Angee Pasteniuk of Kennebunk. “She is a kind and generous angel that helps everyone. Whatever you need she’s always willing to help.”

Flora Brown of Arundel nominates Marylyn Wentworth for her work as principal of The New School. “For over eight years she has put her heart and soul into creating a nurturing learning environment where teenagers of all kinds are accepted and thrive. It is impossible to try to measure how many lives in our community – and beyond – have been affected by Marylyn’s boundless energy and dedication to young people”

Ann Whetstone of Kennebunk was nominated by Mary Folsom of Kennebunk. “Ann continues to keep the library book sale going and as president she’s the glue that keeps the Friends group together.”

Carol Whitten of Kennebunk was nominated by Adam Perkins. “Carol spends an enormous amount of time contributing to our community, and is well known for being one of those busy people who seems tireless in taking on helpful tasks or new causes large or small. In addition to her job at the Kennebunk Free Library where she is known for going above and beyond for patrons, she often spends additional time volunteering for other library activities such as book and bake sales. Bi-weekly she appears at Atria (the assisted living complex) to read aloud seasonally chosen materials to the residents, and has been an active member of the West Kennebunk Village Committee...These are just a few of the many things Carol does year-round for our community, easily qualifying her for the Great Person award.”