SPRUCE VIEW – Local residents will join friends, family and other members of the community to honour the 2020 Citizens of the Year.
Longtime residents Bill and Kelli Stanton will be presented with the award from the Spruce View & District Lions Club, during their 42nd annual charter night and banquet at the Spruce View Community Hall on Jan. 18.
“We advertised for nominations and they were nominated by Spruce View citizens,” said Ted Mikkelsen, president of the local Lions Club. “Bill has been on the fire department for a number of years and he is the fire chief. We have excellent first responders,” he added, noting the important role of both Stanton and members of the fire department in the area.
“If someone has a heart attack or something or if there’s an accident on the highway, they’re called out first and they provide the medical (assistance) before the ambulance gets here from either Caroline or Innisfail,” said Mikkelsen.
Stanton has been a member of the Spruce View District Fire Department for 31 years and district fire chief for 13 years. He has lived in Spruce View since the late 1970s.
“As a firefighter he has attended fires, motor vehicle accidents and medical first response calls whenever he was needed, day or night,” explained Mikkelsen. “As the Red Deer County Spruce View District fire chief he has been responsible for upgrading the equipment Spruce View firefighters use, arranging and taking training to keep his skills.”
In addition to regular weekly practices, he attends officers' meetings with other Red Deer county officers and meetings with the fire chiefs of Alberta, noted Mikkelsen.
“He is dedicated to the fire service of our community to make sure we are ready when we are needed. He is instrumental in keeping our community safe,” he added.
Stanton has also been involved in numerous community events, parades, and other Spruce View functions.
The award will also honour the Spruce View and District Fire Department, said Mikkelsen.
In addition to a banquet, the event will include speeches, an award presentation to the Stantons, a dance, and entertainment by Innisfail musician Cole Martin.
The local Lions Club has been presenting the Citizen of the Year award for close to 40 years, noted Mikkelsen.
“It’s to honour them,” he said, noting it’s a way to thank them for their involvement in the community. “I think it’s an excellent choice (Bill and Kelli Stanton) for Citizens of the Year.
“I think it actually pulls our communities together. Quite often we have (a Citizen of the Year recipient) from Dickson and Markerville. Some of their citizens have got quite a few of the awards,” Mikkelsen concluded.
