White River Councillor Recognized With Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal
Left to right; MPP Michael Mantha, White RIver Councillor Rodney Swarek recipient of Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award, White River Mayor Angelo Bazonni, MPP Carol Hughes
MPP Michael Mantha reads a congratulatory letter to Mr. Swarek from the Honourable David Johnston Governor General of Canada ( the Queen's representative in Canada). Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com
WHITE RIVER, ON – August 18th as part of the 2012 Winnie’s Hometown Festival celebrations MPP Michael Mantha, MP Carol Hughes and Mayor Angelo Bazzoni held a special presentation to recognize a very deserving resident who has served the community of White River for many years as a councillor, a volunteer, and an employee.
Mayor Bazzoni had been informed by MPP Michael Mantha that there was an opportunity to nominate a White River resident for a new commemorative medal created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, explained Mantha, is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country while serving to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. Many names came to mind explained Bazzoni, but among them one person stood out in particular.
“Over the past 24 years of the Winnie the Pooh Festival their have been some volunteers who have been there to work and contribute every year, year after year for the festival and so much more in our community. So, when we were asked to nominate someone as a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, it was a hard task as there are so many volunteers, there was one individual in particular who came to mind when the award was made available to our community and that was my friend and colleague Councillor Rodney Swarek” explained Mayor Bazzoni.
Image of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award medal which was presented to White River Councillor Rodney Swarek August 18, 2012.
Algoma-Manitoulin and Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing’s elected representatives voiced their congratulations as well:
“Rodney is truly deserving of this recognition given his dedication to the community. I have not known of any job, big or small, that Rodney would not undertake; the bigger the challenge the more his determination to take it on. I congratulate Rodney on receiving this prestigious medal.” said Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes.
MPP Michael Mantha reads a congratulatory letter to Mr. Swarek from the Honourable David Johnston Governor General of Canada ( the Queen's representative in Canada). Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com
“I met Rodney through my position as labour representative and now in my work as MPP. I have sat at many tables with him and with Rodney it is never an ‘us and them’ situation he always approaces things looking at “How can we move forward” it is a quality he uses in everything he does for White River. ” MPP Michael Mantha, Algoma-Manitoulin
As Swarek made his way to the stage their was much applause from those in attendance, Mayor Bazzoni joked about Swarek being in his work clothes (he was of course hard at work with Winnie’s 2012 Hometown Festival in full swing), it was clear that all those gathered were unanimous in their support of Rodney Swarek being chosen to receive the award. MPP Michael Mantha presented Swarek with the official medal as well as a pin he could wear on his lapel any time and a congratulatory letter from the Governor General of Canada, the Queen’s representative in our country (see video below to hear the letter read by Mantha).
Swarek, thought given an opportunity to speak kept his comments short, a humble thank you and not much more.
OntarioNewsNorth.com adds its sincere CONGRATULATIONS to Councillor Rodney Swarek, recipient of the 2012 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award; it is individuals like Rodney who make our communities great places to live and inspire others with their volunteerism and commitment to community! Click play on video below to view presentation of medal.
