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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-01-22, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2009. PAGE 3. Sparling’s Propane, with its head office in Blyth, is pleased to have been ranked among the Top 50 Best Small and Medium Employers in Canada. The company is ranked 38th in the fifth annual list published in The Globe & Mail. “This is another remarkable achievement for the men and women who work at Sparling’s” says company founder Grant Sparling. “In a very complicated world, Sparling’s maintains a very simple employment philosophy: when we start out with great people, we will have a great outcome. It’s results that matter – and this award says a lot about our people. It’s what our customers tell us every day, says Judy Lajeunese, human resources co-ordinator at Sparling’s. Steven Sparling gives credit where credit is due. “While Sparling’s receives the recognition of the Top 50 selection, it is our people who deserve the credit. It is an honour to be on a list with so many fine companies, but we are especially pleased for the 150 hardworking men and women at Sparling’s”. Becoming a Top Best Small and Medium Employer is a detailed and highly competitive process. This national awards program recognizes top employers with between 50 and 400 employees. This study mirrors the Best Employer in Canada initiative run by partner, Hewitt Associates, which caters to companies with over 400 employees. The rankings are primarily determined using the results from Employee Opinion Surveys: 18 key engagement drivers are detailed and analyzed. The evaluation process also includes the assessment of organization practices and perspectives from the leadership team. This year, more than 250 companies across Canada registered to participate in the study. Study partners include Queen’s School of Business, Queen’s Centre for Business Venturing and Hewitt Associates. Sparling’s is a privately-held company, established in Blyth in 1951. It is the second largest propane company in Ontario and provides full-service propane supply and guaranteed customer service programs from regional distribution facilities and customer service centres in southern and central Ontario. “We are pleased that the selection committee recognizes that small town/rural companies can compete with anyone from anywhere in Canada,” said Steven Sparling. “In an era of unprecedented consolidation and globalization, everyone still has to be from somewhere. And this list confirms that small town/rural companies can be just as creative, innovative, resourceful and strategic in their business planning and in consideration of their people as any urban counterparts.” Sympathy is extended to the family of Graeme McDowell who passed away this past week. Happy anniversary to John and Ann Nesbit who will celebrate on Jan. 23. Happy birthday to Ed Daer who will celebrate his birthday on Jan. 23. Euchre results for Monday, Jan. 12 are: high lady, Helen Lee, 73; high man, Hugh Cook, 83; lone hands, Bernice McClinchey, 4; Edythe Glousher, 4; low lady, Grace Cartwright, 47; low man, Dorothy Carter, 39. The door prize went to Wilmer Glousher and share the wealth went to Gloria McEwing, Berva Cartwright, Leonard Archambault and Vera Hesselwood. There were 8 1/2 tables in play. The next euchre is Monday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Legion Hall. Come out and enjoy the fun and fellowship. My sympathy to all those suffering from the flu bug. This past week I fell victim to the bug and it is very unpleasant. I guess the only good thing about it was that it wasn’t good weather to go out anyway with all the snow, cold temperatures and storms that blew in. From all reports down in Florida the weather is cool but there’s now snow shovelling.festSNOW Celebrate winter with us! Maitland Valley Conservation Authority Working for a Healthy Environment! V 1:00 4:00 Free admission! Bring your skis or snowshoes and hit the trails. Snowshoes available for ages four and over. Rental fee - $2.50 per pair. Hot chocolate and coffee available. Wawanosh is located north of Blyth, west of County Road 4 on Nature Centre Road. all 519 335-3557 for information. P. M . P. M .to isit www.mvca.on.ca or c Sunday January 25 at the Wawanosh Nature Centre myunited.ca I want to save for things that matter to me. Shelter your money with our Tax-Free Savings Account and save for anything your heart desires. Start saving tax-free today! By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318 From Marilyn’s Desk NEWS FROM BLYTH Well done Some of the team at Sparling’s posed for a photo in honour of the company being chosen as one of the best small and medium employers in Canada. (News-Record photo) BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED Sparling’s voted one of Canada’s best