The Town of Innisfail honoured its long-term employees on June 14 with awards and a banquet at the Innisfail Golf Club.
Sixteen employees were honoured, including Fire Chief John Syroid and 11 volunteer fire department members.
Syroid, who has 35 years with the town, led all others in number of years serving the town.
“It feels great. We have a lot of long-term members,” said Syroid. “There are a lot of good memories. I have none that will haunt me. They are all good.”
Helen Dietz, the town’s chief administrative officer, said the large number of firefighters honoured was a means to “catch up” on the annual service awards for long-term members.
“It’s a real asset to the community to retain these employees and a real benefit to the municipality. This year we wanted to do something formal for them (firefighters),” said Dietz. “It was playing catch up to make sure they all got their awards, and they did at the same time. Next year there won’t be so many.”
All 16 employees received a certificate and a small cash bonus. Four of the awards were given to employees outside the fire department. Dan Gervais, the town’s public works manager, was honoured for 25 years service, as was Elwin Weins, Innisfail’s development officer.
Ron Spellmen, the town’s aquatics consultant, was honoured for 15 years service and Tim Harder, Innisfail’s equipment operator, received recognition for five years service.
For the fire department, Ron Huseby was honoured for 25 years service, Clark Maldaner for 20, Van Stonehocker for 15 and Tim Ainscough was recognized for 10 years service for the town.
Fire department employees honoured for five years service were Jamie Hendrick, Kevin Spiller, Todd Emerson, Richard Buisseret, Chris Hale, Raymond Black and Jayme Hendrick.
