Exemplary service lauded
Two long-time local residents have been recognized for their dedication to the communities they live in
City of Pitt Meadows Mayor Deb Walters was one of two locals recently honoured with a Queen’s Jubilee medal.
Photograph by: Submitted , TIMES
Two more members of the community have recently been honoured with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal.
Maple Ridge resident Tom Cameron was awarded the medal for his significant contributions to the community.
He was one of 10 people who received the medal from Prime Minister Stephen Harper at a ceremony on Friday, Feb. 8 at the Hyatt Hotel in Burnaby.
"It was great. It's absolutely marvellous, but not necessary," said Cameron, who added that the last prime minister he met was Pierre Trudeau.
Receiving recognition is wonderful, Cameron explained, but he doesn't volunteer for the medals. Cameron is chairman of the board of the Christmas Hamper Society, president of the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Agricultural Association, and self-proclaimed "flunky" at Ghost Ridge, the haunted house-themed fundraiser.
Another recipient was Pitt Meadows Mayor Deb Walters.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) sent Walters a letter of congratulations and the queen's medal. "FCM chose you to receive this distinction for your exemplary efforts to make your community a great place to live," said Karen Leibovici, FCM president.
"It recognizes the important role municipalities - and their elected leaders - play in ensuring our prosperity and high quality of life," she continued.
"I was surprised and honoured, for sure. My name is on the award, but it really belongs to the entire organization," Walters said.
During the year of celebrations, 60,000 Canadians will be recognized. The medal was created to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years of service.
