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Council adds 3 names to monument
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High Prairie town council selected Tony Belli, left, John Brodrick, center and Doug Spurgeon as outstanding citizens for 2009.
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Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
The praises were plentiful for Tony Belli, John Brodrick and Doug Spurgeon, as their names are the latest to be put on the Citizens Monument.
A ceremony was held at the High Prairie and District Museum July 28 and Mayor Rick Dumont congratulated them.
“The contributions that all three of you have made to our town and region made the council’s decision very easy to add your names to a very long list of outstanding people,” says Dumont.
Then he spoke about Brodrick, who served in the Canadian military 1960-1966. He also worked in the forestry sector 1967-2007, which including running his own reforestation company.
His volunteer service included being president of the High Prairie Minor Hockey Association, a founding member of the All Peace Minor Hockey League and a director of the Northwest Alberta Winter Games.
Brodrick served as a councillor for one term, then as the mayor for two terms for the Town of High Prairie. Dumont praised him for building the High Prairie Aquatic Centre and thanked him for his service.
Councillor James Waikle spoke about Spurgeon, who started at a radio station in Athabasca and has been at CKVH Radio since 2005. Waikle praises Spurgeon for promoting the community.
“The first thing he said to me was, ‘This is Alberta’s best kept secret, right here.’ Over the years, Doug has … (promoted) High Prairie as one of the jewels of the north. For that, the town is forever in your debt, Doug,” says Waikle.
Spurgeon has also championed the needs of the High Prairie and District Food Bank, especially during the Christmas season, Waikle adds.
Spurgeon thanks the town council and others for the honour. He says High Prairie is no “big secret” anymore because it’s on the Internet.
“It’s my honour and privilege to bring local people’s stories to area. It’s the people that make High Prairie and area so very, very special,” says Spurgeon.
Councillor David Vanderwell spoke about Belli. He was born in Toronto, Ont. in the late 1930s and his family moved to the Gilwood area in 1946.
After graduating, Belli served in the Canadian military. Later, he worked for Alberta Transportation as a mechanic and as a grain farmer, too.
Belli’s community service included being the commanding officer of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets in High Prairie for five years and has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 40 years. He has also been a volunteer of the High Prairie Fire Department for over 30 years.
Vanderwell thanks Belli for his service to High Prairie.
In turn, Belli thanked the town council for the honour bestowed upon him.
The three names were unveiled on the monument following the speeches.
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