The City of Thompson honoured 13 employees with long-time service awards at a barbecue outside City Hall June 25.
Dennis Neill, a captain with Thompson Fire and Emergency Services had the longest tenure of all the employees recognized, receiving a plaque with a gold-plated firefighter's axe in recognition of 40 years or service, in a career that started in 1970, the same year that Thompson was officially incorporated as a city.
"Good thing there's no farmland around here or they would have put me out to pasture a long time ago," said Neill.
Water and sewer foreman Wayne McLellan was the second longest-serving employee to receive an award, as he was honoured for 35 years of service.
Those recognized for 30 years of service included recreation facilities manager Jim English, tradesman mechanic Murray Beattie, stores controller Sheila Sentner from purchasing, and accounts receivable clerk Dorothy Koetke, who retired in May.
Purchasing agent Joyce Kopp and Thompson Fire and Emergency Services captain Wendell Fitzpatrick, who retired this past March, received 25-year service awards, while recreation centre custodian Robert Macumber was recognized for his 20 years of service.
Public works equipment operator Nick Bruinooge received his 10-year service award while finance receptionist/typist Lindsay Anderson, water and sewer labourer Mark Clemons and infrastructure tradesman carpenter Dan Haywood were recognized for five years of service.
Acting SafeOperations manager Rick Morris received a SafeOperations Recognition Award at the barbecue for his implementation of the city's SafeOperations program. SafeOperations manager Michelle Smook, who was not in attendance, was also a recipient of the award.
Mayor Tim Johnston noted that the combined years of service of those recognized at awards ceremony totalled 290, which he said was amazing for a community that's only 54 years old.
