GORDON/BARRIE ISLAND—Gordon/Barrie Island municipal officials and those who worked with Wayne Fogal all had high praise for his efforts over the part 15 years as a member of the municipal roads crew.
Municipal representatives, family and friends gathered with Mr. Fogal at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 514 in Gore Bay on April 26 to wish him the best in his retirement.
“It is nice to see so many people here tonight to celebrate Wayne’s retirement,” said Carrie Lewis CAO/Clerk of Gordon/Barrie Island. “Over the past 15 years we’ve been through some ups and downs. Wayne has been an awesome member of the roads crew. There is nothing Wayne can’t operate and everything he does he does well.”
Tim Thibault said that when he became the roads superintendent last fall, “I was introduced to Wayne. He was very set in his ways, but as the relationship and partnership grew, I was absolutely amazed at his knowledge and expertise in different machinery.”
“Wayne has been great to work with, and so knowledgeable,” said Mr. Thibault. “We worked well together. Congratulations on your retirement, Wayne.”
Arran Campbell, who had been the township municipal roads superintendent prior to Mr. Thibault said, “I could mention so many things that Wayne taught me.” He told the story of when he first started as road superintendent and did not know how to drive a snowplow. Mr. Fogal was teaching him one day and stopped the vehicle after a short time and said, ‘you’re good to go,’ he quipped.
Lee Hayden, Gordon/Barrie Island reeve said, “on behalf of council and the municipality I would like to thank Wayne for your 15 years of dedicated service on the roads crew and plowing the roads of the municipality over the years.”
“Employees are the greatest asset of any municipality,” said Reeve Hayden. “We appreciate your dedication and commitment and appreciate everything Wayne has done the past 15 years and we wish you all the best personally and professionally in your retirement.”
Mr. Fogal told the Expositor, “I started working for the municipality on the roads crew in 2010, where I worked for 15 years. I have also worked for Loyalle McDougall, Lafarge and some business owners up North.”
“I have loved my job with the municipality and previous to that, over the past 30 years. Working with the municipal roads crew has been a good job,” said Mr. Fogal. “It has been just a great crew to work with. There were no hassles or stress, and I worked with Arran for most of those years and enjoyed that, he always did all the planning for what time roadwork would need to be done in a certain area. I enjoyed working with Ron Klingburg as well, and all the other roads crew over the years, guys like Fred Heinen, Don Wright and Logan Veenstra on roads projects. I have had great people to work with and for.”
