The Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-01-14, Page 6•
Page 6 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, January 14, 2009
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EDITORIAL
Fire chief recognized for
dedication
The old and "kinda grumpy" fixe chief.
Those words were affectionately used as firefighters, family, friends
and local politicians filled the firehall Jan. 6 to recognize the retire-
ment of Goderich Fire Chief Mike O'Brien and his 38 years of dedi-
cated service to the local department.
While references to the chief's age and somewhat serious disposi-
tion were offered in jest, it was obvious there was a genuine respect
for the man and the leadership capabilities he brought to the job, the
department and profession.
For 38 years, Mike O'Brien has diligently served on the Goderich
Fire Department, the past 13 years as chief. His service to firefight-
ing and the community is exemplary and another chapter in the rich
legacy of service extended to the community by the O'Brien family.
Far too often, we take for granted the essential services available
to everyone in our society and community. We expect to have police,
paramedic, fire and other municipal services available at a moment's
notice at all times.
We expect that they have proper training and the most modern
equipment to deal with each and every situation. We expect that they
will put themselves in harm's way to effectively handle dangerous
situations and know exactly how to proceed to save lives and property
or diffuse a volatile situation.
We expect a lot. But at a time when we have the opportunity to
recognize service and leadership due to a retirement, it also gives us
the opportunity to recognize the role of the entire fire department and
'other essential services that we take for granted.
Many young men and women continue to step forward and offer
their services to organizations like the Goderich Fire Department and
we should never lose sight of their community -minded spirit and dedi-
cation. It takes countless hours of training and real-life experience to
produce qualified firefighting personnel.
These civic -minded people make sacrifices to serve and Chief
O'Brien can recount hundreds of instances when the fire alarm took
him from family and 'social engagements and the comfort of a warm
bed to deaf with a serious fire call. Spouses and family members are
often left to wonder about the seriousness of the call and the danger
their loved one may be in. There is always the threat of injury. There
is always risk.
In making a presentation to Chief O'Brien and his wife, Barb, a rep-
resentative of the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office offered that the chief
"was a man of his word who lived up to'the ideals of firefighting and
demonstrated leadership."
We would heartily endorse that assessment.
For those reasons, and many more, Chief O'Brien has earned the
right to be "kinda grumpy."
However, for your distinguished service and outstanding leadership
we offer thanks and all the best in retirement.
Well done, Chief O'Brien. (D.S.)
Christmas Bureau says thanks
Dear Editor,
It is with gratitude that we extend sincere thanks
from all the volunteers who worked the five
Huron County Christmas Bureaus and to the
many donors from across the Country who sup-
port our efforts. By any standards this is a huge
undertaking for a volunteer group and a program
that would be impossible to manage without the
backing of a generous community.
As we write this letter the Bureaus are busy
providing Christmas relief for the many families
who need a 'hand up' during the holiday season.
The Godeddt slat -Stagy
published every Wednesday at Gadeddt, Ontario it one of The
Signal Star Publishing Groep of Commenity Newspaper, a division
of Bowes Publishers. The Goderich Signal star shall nor be liable for
failure to publish an ad for typographical errors in publication except
to the extant of the cost of that portion of the ad in which the error
occurred, The Oadeddt Signal -star reserves the right to reject or
edit any advertisement.
The Gaderie h Signal-4iar is a proud member of the Canadian
Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) and 77Ite Ontario
Coolemsmity Newspapers Assacianta" (OCNA).
NUM 011001
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First thing in the New Year we will start making
plans for Christmas 2009. We are making these
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Yours truly,
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