Robert Kirby, Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR), was honoured by his colleagues, his family and friends during the annual Warden’s Banquet, held this past Saturday, November 23 at the Chute-à-Blondeau Community Centre in the Township of East Hawkesbury.

More than 225 guests were present to celebrate the past year of Warden Kirby, who represented the UCPR as Warden throughout 2019 for his third term (previously in 2015 and 2009). Among the dignitaries present were Federal MP Francis Drouin and the eight regional Council members, as well as many other elected officials, entrepreneurs and representatives from the community of Prescott and Russell.

The JP St. Pierre Award – a high municipal distinction that aims to celebrate the exceptional contributions of an individual within the UCPR – was awarded this year to François Latour, a volunteer and community organizer. Mr. Latour has achieved two Guinness World Records for the largest number of threshing machines operating simultaneously on the same site, in St-Albert – specifically, 111 machines in 2015 and 243 machines in 2019. By the same token, these events also served as fundraisers for the Breast Cancer Society, a cause that Mr. Latour holds dearly, and which raised a total of $125,000 for breast cancer research.

As is also tradition, the Warden’s Award is presented during the Banquet to recognize the dedicated work, outstanding contribution and professionalism of a municipal employee toward the community and their colleagues. This year, Warden Kirby chose to recognize Mélissa Cadieux, Clerk for the UCPR since 2018 and very recently appointed as the Supervisor of Provincial Offences. Since her arrival, several important new procedures and policies have been implemented within the Corporation, including the use of electronic signatures as well as an advanced records management system.

For their generous sponsorships, the UCPR would equally like to recognize the important contributions from the following sponsors: Enbridge Gas Distribution, Emond Harnden SRL LLP, Deloitte Hawkesbury, Vice & Hunter LLP, Lascelles Engineering et Associates Ltd., Robert Excavating, and Neil A. Levac.

The funds raised at this event, in addition to the Warden’s Golf Tournament held earlier this year, will be distributed to regional non-profit organizations. The cheques will be presented as part of the swearing-in ceremony of the incoming Warden, to be held in L’Orignal on Wednesday, December 18.