by Sylene Argent
For years, Dr. Richard Barnett sat on the Essex Citizen of the Year Committee, an annual award program that celebrates the efforts of a local individual who has significantly contributed to the community in the form of volunteering. So, when he was invited to enjoy the entertainment provided at the Essex Fun Fest on Saturday evening, he was suspicious of the motive to have him in the crowd at the same time this year’s Citizen of the Year was to be announced.
His suspicions were confirmed as Tom Bonneau, a member of the Holy Name Knights of Columbus (#3305), announce Dr. Barnett was nominated and further selected as this year’s Essex Citizen of the Year, citing his many years of dedication to community projects, most of which were done quietly and behind the scenes.
Dr. Barnett noted his involvement with the community extends to 1996, when he got involved with the Rotary Club of Essex. At that time, he was inspired by its members Dr. Brown, Dr. McKelvie, and Dr. Clare, who recruited him to join.
On the Essex Rotary, he served as President, Treasurer, and Secretary, and as part of various committees for over 20-years. Throughout those years, he supported many local and international projects. In addition, he sat on the Board for Heritage Essex.
His parents were also an inspiration to him, as they were both active in the community.
In addition to being a local veterinarian since the 1970s, Dr. Barnett has been a very active volunteer. In addition to representing the Rotary Club of Essex on the Citizen of the Year Committee for many years, he was responsible for the restoration of the WWII cannon that sits in front of the Essex Municipal Building, overseeing the restoration of the refurbished wheels and its painting to its original colour. He was also involved with the restoration of the 135-year-old railroad baggage cart that is housed at the Essex Railway Station.
In addition, Dr. Barnett has been a longtime member of the Essex Legion and is one of the local historians of WWI and WWII, as his father served in WWII on active service for four-and-a-half-years in Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium, and Holland. Recently, he travelled to France for one of the dedications of Essex residents who served in the war, information from the selection committee notes.
In 2005, Dr. Barnett was the Rotarian most responsible for the completion of the Rotary Mural, which for many years was located on Centre Street. It will soon be relocated to the Schinkel’s Meat Market wall.
He has also been a longtime volunteer on many projects in and around Essex for many years. He served as the President of the Essex-Kent Veterinary Association and as Treasurer for the Ontario Association of Swine Practitioners.
Dr. Barnett recounted how the late Bill Gay, a former and dedicated employee to Heritage Essex, would drop subtle hints about what the historic railway station needed, and he would try to find a way to step up and help.
Due to his involvement, he was twice named Rotarian of the Year by the Rotary Club of Essex and last year earned the OVCAA Alumni Volunteer Award.
This year’s Essex Citizen of the Year Committee – comprised of the Rotary Club of Essex, the Knights of Columbus at Holy Name of Jesus (Council #3305), the Essex Branch of representatives from the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 201), and Heritage Essex – had their work cut out for them in choosing this year’s winner as Bonneau noted they received many nominations from throughout the community.
Though Dr. Barnett was suspicious of being named this year’s Citizen of the Year, he noted it was still a big surprise to win. He thanked the selection committee, noting it was a great honour to be selected as the 2023 Essex Citizen of the Year.
The Essex Citizen of the Year Committee organizes the recognition program every year as a way to honour a local citizen who gives back to the community through volunteerism. A banquet is held in the fall to recognize the Citizen of the Year and to raise funds for Heritage Essex, which maintains the historic Essex Railway Station.
The Essex Citizen of the Year program has been ongoing since 1978.