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Town of Battleford councillor reaching milestone

Jul 1, 2017 | 8:32 AM

Don’t tell Gordon Yarde it’s time to settle down.

The Town of Battleford councillor is reaching a new milestone in his life, after just turning 79 years old. But this high-spirited man still has lots of work on his agenda.

“I’m 79, but I’m not stopping,” he said.

Yarde has spent many years on Battleford council, sitting off and on since 1985. He first moved to the area in 1977.

He became interested in joining council, after deciding as a local resident he had something to contribute. He had been involved in a number of community organizations gifting him many connections.

“People have seen me all around,” he said. 

When he first moved to the Battlefords in the late 1970s, Yarde said he joined various groups and did whatever he could do to be more “part of the place,” that he now called home.

Many years later, running for council seemed like the next logical step forward.  While serving, Yarde has also pursued his other vocations in life.

Last year, Yarde became an ordained deacon. He serves at the Anglican church in the town of Battleford. He also visits the area Indigenous communities as part of his duties as a deacon.

Yarde said he became interested in becoming a deacon after volunteering with other ministries in the church for more than 30 years and wanted to take his involvement a step further.

When he isn’t engaged in politics or with his church, Yarde enjoys helping the community.

He is still active in the local Kiwanis Club, after holding a membership for more than 20 years. Yarde is also involved with the organization Concern for Youth. 

The councillor said he most enjoys “working with people.” He has a long history in serving in various volunteer capacities with area non-profit groups and service associations.

Retiring 14 years ago, Yarde was employed as a psychiatric nurse for many years and worked in a variety of hospitals, including the Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford. As well, he has experience in general and obstetric nursing and was employed as a youth worker at the North Battleford Youth Centre.

Originally from Barbados, Yarde lived in London, England, for a number of years before moving to western Canada.

And while he still has a few more years to go, Yarde said he is already musing whether he may make another bid to retain his seat on town council when the current term is over, as he enjoys it so much. 

“I just want to be with the people,” he said. “People just want you to represent them. Not everybody can do it. I can do it.”

Yarde still has much more he wants to do in life, and, as this former body-building champion says, the energy and enthusiasm to do it.  

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW