The Lee County Board of County Commissioners has selected B.J. Gerald as the recipient of the Paulette Burton Citizen of the Year Award for 2010. The Board made the announcement at its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011.

Gerald works with Lee County Domestic Animal Services, Sierra Club, Alva Inc., CROW, Lee County Parks and Caloosa Riders. She is also an active member of numerous groups to help protect the environment.

The runners-up were also acknowledged at the Board meeting. They are Deborah Sebastian of Lehigh Acres and Darla Letourneau of Sanibel.

The Paulette Burton Citizen of the Year Award was created in 1991 in honor of Mrs. Burton, who died tragically in an automobile accident. Mrs. Burton, a long-time Sanibel resident and government watchdog, spent many years serving as a voice of the people to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners as well as playing an active role in Sanibel politics. 

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