There was cause for celebration at Battleford Town Council Jan. 23, as the Town gave awards to employees and volunteers for long records of service.
Twelve volunteers and employees earned awards for service. Susan McLean Tady has served five years on the Parks and Recreation Board. With 10 years of service were six employees and volunteers - Allan Wohlberg and Mark Michelman of the Public Works and Utilities Department, Julian Bayet of the Parks and Recreation Department, Shirley Glowa and Andrea Jackson of the Battleford Library Board, and Lee MacKay of the Fred Light Museum Board. Receiving the sole award for 15 years of service was Danny Laycock, of the Parks and Recreation Department.
Receiving 20-year awards were Darryl Kemps and Andy Metlewsky of the Battleford Fire Department. Larry Gabruch, who has spent 26 years as the fire chief for the Battleford Fire Department, and Sheryl Ballendine, the town administrator, both received awards for 30 years of service.
Battleford Mayor Chris Odishaw commended every one of those receiving recognition, taking time especially to commend volunteers who give their time to the town.
"Some days are greater being the mayor of the Town of Battleford than others, and tonight I had the distinct honour of being able to hand out recognition. A great honour to work with all these people. Some are paid, and some are volunteers. An extra thank you goes out to all the volunteers who make the Battlefords a great place to be," the mayor said.
"Standing out, because it's a volunteer position, and because I've always said protective services is such an integral part of what a community offers its residents, I really have to say thank you to Larry Gabruch, our fire chief. Thirty years of service - a role model not only for our department, but for our residents. I do thank him, as I thank all of the volunteers and employees of the town of Battleford."
Sheryl Ballendine also spoke about her time with town hall.
"This is my life - I've worked here since I was 19 years old, starting with a receptionist's position, and I managed to work my way to the administrator's position after thirty years, and I'm still here."
