Stettler’s most-prominent resident has received a Queen’s Jubilee medal.
To his surprise, Stettler Mayor Dick Richards found a medal for himself sitting on the table in front of the mayor’s chair when he arrived for the regular council meeting last week.
Richards received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his dedicated service in the community, the citation said.
“When I opened the paperwork and saw that it was for me, I was very surprised,” said Richards, the mayor since September 2009 after he became a councillor in 2000.
“I thought it was for someone else.”
As an elected official, he said he has tried to help the community and didn’t expect to receive major rewards.
“We do what we do not for recognition, but to make a difference in the community that has given us all so much,” Richards said.
Along with his time on council, Richards has been active as a volunteer in the Stettler Minor Hockey Association, and with the Stettler Kinsmen and the town’s recreation board.
“We are pleased to see the mayor receive such a prestigious recognition,” said Rob Stoutenberg, the chief administrative officer for the town.
“He has been a very good leader of council and excellent community booster and committed to seeing Stettler move forward.”
Richards was honoured with the words of appreciation for him.
“I thank you for your dedicated service to your peers, to your community and to Canada,” read congratulatory wishes from Governor General David Johnston.
“The contributions you have made to our nation are most commendable and deserve our praise and admiration.”
Richards joins three other Stettler-area people who received medals last fall among 60,000 Canadians honoured to recognize their significant contributions and achievements to their communities and country.
Medals were presented last fall to Heartland Youth Centre longtime executive-director Winnie Bissett, Bob Byers of Stettler and Metis church pastor Rev. David Lilly of Big Valley.
This week, Earl Berry of Bashaw received a jubilee medal for his service in that community with the Bashaw Museum.