Duane Hicks
“Citizen of the Year” Dr. Brian Johnstone formally was honoured Friday night during the town’s annual appreciation dinner at Sunny Cove Camp.
The 90-year-old physician, who was named “Citizen of the Year” back in late November, was recognized for more than four decades of outstanding service to the community.
In a brief speech, Dr. Johnstone said he has enjoyed living in Fort Frances over the years.
“It has a few problems but not many,” he remarked.
Dr. Johnstone noted his late wife, Dr. Audrey Johnstone, named as “Citizen of the Year” in 1993, “quite rightfully” earned the honour before he ever did.
Thanking the town for the honour, Dr. Johnstone concluded his remarks with kind words for council.
“I think that this must be the only town council that runs a supervised department for mosquito reproduction and has succeeded in breeding the ‘barbecue mosquito,’” Dr. Johnstone said to a round of laughter and applause.
Human Resources manager Aaron Petrin noted that with him recently returning to Fort Frances, he’s noticed the town has an aging population, as well as challenges to recruit and retain doctors.
“Most of us in the municipal world look toward age 55 to retire . . . we recognize Dr. Johnstone for his exemplary service to our community,” Petrin said.
“He continued to serve as a physician in Fort Frances until a month shy of 90th birthday and for that we congratulate him, thank him, and honour him.”
Mayor Roy Avis thanked Dr. Johnstone for his “many years of dedicated service to our citizens.”
“He served above and beyond all expectations, and for that, I would like to thank him on behalf of all of us here this evening,” the mayor said.
The dinner also was an occasion for the town to recognize local media, members of council, the management group, and the volunteers sitting on the town’s various boards and committees.
“Volunteers are the cornerstone of our community,” stressed Mayor Avis.
“They are ones that advise council, and believe me, their recommendations are greatly appreciated throughout and they are discussed extensively at the council table,” he noted.
Mayor Avis added he counted 75-90 people who volunteer their time on town boards and committees.
“I will be honest: if council worked 24/7 for 365 days, we could not complete the tasks that you, the volunteers, complete for us,” he said.
“And on behalf of council, I would like thank you.”
Mayor Avis made special mention of several volunteers who “timed out,” meaning they served on certain committees for eight years and because of the town bylaw, no longer can continue to serve on those same committees for yet another term.
They included Joyce Cunningham (Fort Frances Public Library Board), John McTaggart (Police Services Board), Jim Cumming (Economic Development Advisory Committee), and Nick Wihnan (Sister Kennedy Centre Board).
The dinner also was an occasion to recognize town employees who retired in the past year.
These included deputy treasurer Debbie Scofield, Fort Frances Power Corp. superintendent Brian Mueller, Public Works employee Brian Lee, and receptionist Sherin Hagen.
Also recognized was Leana Moffitt, program director at the Memorial Sports Centre, who achieved 25 years of service with the town as of Sept. 6, 2014.
Employees who already have achieved 25 years of service, as well past retirees, also were recognized.
Community Services manager Jason Kabel emceed the evening.
