Elmer Kennedy was in a good mood last Friday.
Dignitaries from Athabasca County, the Village of Boyle, Town of Athabasca, local MLA and Minister of Seniors Jeff Johnson as well as Fort McMurray-Athabasca MP David Yurdiga filled the Boyle hospital room Kennedy is in for a special ceremony to help honour him for the work he has done on a community project.
Kennedy has been instrumental in working on the soon-to-be constructed new Wildrose Vila in Boyle.
“We took a big chunk of dirt for him to do a little mock sod turning because of all the work that he has done on this. He is one of the heroes in this community,” said Johnson.
Johnson explained Kennedy was a strong voice for the Boyle area and helped get projects, such as the new villa, across the finish line.
“It was really important that we recognized him. I am happy to say that the project is going to be a benchmark project across the province. It is coming along nicely,” added Johnson.
“Elmer has been a champion of Boyle. He is almost unmatched in the work he has done, and in the twilight of his life.”
Johnson spoke of Kennedy fondly and said he wanted to leave the community better than he found it.
“Even today, in palliative care, he is lobbying me for the next cheque for the community. He always did it in a very respectful manor. He has the admiration of the community, and he certainly has mine,” he said.
Kennedy was assigned room 215 in the new lodge, and although it doesn’t look like he will get to live there, he will be recognized.
“We are going to take steps to make sure he is recognized at the door of 215,” Johnson said. “There isn’t a building to cut a ribbon on yet, but it is coming along nicely.”
