Outgoing regional district director Bob Headrick received a standing ovation from colleagues past and present at his final board meeting on Thursday.
Headrick is the longest-serving director in the history of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, having served 30 years on the board - including eight years as chairperson. The director, known for his fiery temper and no-nonsense manner, didn't pull any punches at his final meeting.
"Times have changed. In the old days the camaraderie was there. It seems now that everyone knows what it best for the other guy's area," he said. "We had fun and worked together. I hope some of that comes back. It's the only way we can survive - otherwise we'll tear each other to pieces."
There has been good times and bad times, Headrick said, but he always remembered who he was working for.
"The people who hired you are your boss," he said. "We don't know what is best for them, they know what is best for them. They're never wrong."
Looking back on 30 years in office, Headrick said negotiating a $50 million redevelopment of the Prince George Regional Hospital, now the University Hospital of Northern B.C., with the provincial government on behalf of the Fraser-Fort George Regional Hospital District was a highlight for him. Headrick held the line on limiting the hospital district's contribution to $20 million.
Another highlight was convincing the provincial government to delegate the Agricultural Land Commission's authority to the regional district - the only regional district which has that power, he said.
Regional district chairperson Art Kaehn said Headrick was instrumental in establishing many of the services in the district which continue today.
"He is leaving a huge legacy of capital projects. He has been a leader and a man of action," Kaehn said. "[And] he never let us forget whom we serve ... the taxpayer. Bob made sure we got the biggest bang for the taxpayer's dollar."
During his time as director for electoral area D (Tabor Lake-Stone Creek), Headrick has helped restore Tabor Lake, supported local volunteer fire departments, sewer systems and community associations.
"The regional district would not be the local government it is today without Bob," Kaehn said.
Former board vice-chairman Irwin Stoll said he worked with Headrick for 17 years, and even when they didn't agree he appreciated Headrick's forthrightness.
Stoll presented Headrick with an engraved gavel commemorating his long-service.
"It gives me great pleasure to present this to Bob on behalf of directors past and present," he said.
McBride Mayor Mike Frazier said he learned two things from Headrick over the time they've served together on the board.
"I had no idea how big a pain in the ass I was. And he told me a couple times. That, and you could never question the integrity he had towards his people," Frazier said. "I'm going to miss you Bob."
Headrick said he'll continue to live at Tabor Lake, but plans to spend more time visiting his daughter and grandchildren in Alberta.
