George Root and Frank Miele are two of the most recent Diamond Jubilee medal recipients in Erin.
The medals were officially presented on Jan. 22 by Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong in the Erin council chambers.
Chong first provided an overview of the medal history and the reason behind the presentation.
He noted that 2012 and 2013 mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne as Queen of Canada.
The Diamond Jubilee medal was created as a way to honour the achievements of Canadians.
He said medal recipients honour the Queen’s service to Canada.
“Each and every one of them have contributed to build the Canada we have today."
“They remind us of the importance of giving back to the community,” said Chong.
Mayor Lou Maieron said he was provided with a profile on Root and that the township’s basement meeting room was named in his honour.
“It is colloquially known as the Root cellar.”
Maieron said Root comes from a political background and that his father was a Member of Provincial Parliament.
George Root served on council for 24 years, acted as a foster parent for many years, an active member of the Baptist church, a 4-H beef leader, a member of the Friendly Four Gospel Singers, and current member of the Centre Wellington Choir.
“He has served the community well and worked for the Upper Grand District School Board,” Chong said.
Root said, “this is a great honour, but it was also a real honour to serve on council.”
When Root thought of all the volunteers in the community “to me, this medal represents what all of them do.”
Next up was Erin CAO Frank Miele.
Maieron quipped, “you don’t get any more money for this you know.”
Reading from Miele’s profile, Maieron noted the CAO had held senior leadership positions in local governments over the past 30 years – starting with the city of Niagara Falls in 1979.
He also served as the CAO of Meaford, Gravenhurst and now Erin.
“Along his career path, Frank has contributed to broader municipal initiatives at the regional, provincial and national levels.”
Maieron said Miele’s work in the municipal sector has been highly acclaimed.
