The Town of Fort Frances’ centennial year so far has been filled with events ranging from a “Polar Plunge” and New Year’s levee to the re-creation of the inaugural council meeting, a beard-growing contest, and most recently a celebration of area arts.
But as of last night’s council meeting, the centennial celebration now also has its own “superhero.”^That’s right. Mayor Glenn Witherspoon dubbed tax collector Ed Katona as “Centennial Man”—in front of dozens of his family and friends who had filed into the council chambers just before the meeting’s end—as a birthday surprise.
As he draped a flowing white cape with the name “Centennial Man” on it over Katona’s mighty shoulders, Mayor Witherspoon exclaimed it only seem fitting that an employee of the town for 40 years turning 60 years old be honoured in this way.
“You don’t have to be a tax collector to do the math,” he chuckled.
But Katona, as humble as Clark Kent, could only offer a few words.
“As I’ve told my fellow employees, the Town of Fort Frances is a good employer. I don’t know what else to tell you,” he remarked.
“You’re probably waiting for me to retire,” he said after a pause. “It’s been enjoyable working for the town, and when it’s not enjoyable any more, I probably will retire.”^Besides the cape, Katona was given a painting by the mayor while treasurer Diane Pearson also presented him with a centennial coin set.
“You have been a joy to work with,” noted Mayor Witherspoon.
“Talking with your fellow employees, they don’t do all this for people they don’t care about. We care about you, Ed.”^“We appreciate you very much,” echoed Coun. Neil Kabel.
Then faster than a speeding bullet, the birthday crowd left council chambers to enjoy some cake downstairs as the meeting was adjourned.
And while Katona may continue to be busy with his duties as tax collector by day, surely the mildmannered citizens of Fort Frances can rest easy at night knowing that somewhere—out there—is “Centennial Man.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
