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Millet’s longest consecutive serving councillor awarded

Former councilor Eleanor Pydde honoured after 19 years
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Former Town of Millet councillor Eleanor Pydde accepts her award for 19 years of consecutive service as a councillor from mayor Tony Wadsworth at the Millet Community Awards, Nov. 4. Photo by Joy Storey

After serving 19 consecutive years on Millet town council, former councilor Eleanor Pydde was awarded for her longstanding service to the community.

At Millet’s annual Community Awards Night, Nov. 4, mayor Tony Wadsworth surprised an unsuspecting Pydde with an award of her own, honoring her as the longest consecutive serving councilor in the town’s history.

Pydde has lived her entire life in the Millet area, and moved into the town in 1992. She was elected to her first seat on council in 1998.

After working with the community’s youth as a teacher for 34 years Pydde retired, and an unexpected family tragedy left her thinking about how she wished to spend her future years in the community.

“I was in no man’s land really,” said Pydde.

“Somebody phoned me (one) afternoon and said, ‘I’ve been thinking, you should run for local council’,” she added.

Although initially taken aback by the idea it held Pydde’s interest and before throwing in name into the next election she took a workshop to see if a role as an elected official was what she would enjoy.

“I had an interest in it. I was involved in the community and enjoyed being involved in the community,” said Pydde.

In 1998, Pydde recalls there was three open seats on council and three individuals running in the election, including herself.

Over the years Pydde has made many memories from her time on council, and she says it is the people she has gotten to know along the way that stand out the most. “I think it’s the people you work with … and serving the community.”

“I enjoyed what I was doing. I’ve always felt part of the community,” said Pydde.

In her almost two decades in the position of councilor, Pydde has served on many community committees. Some of her favorites included working with the Yellowhead Regional Library, Millet in Bloom, and the Millet and District Historical Society.

“I’ll be staying with some of these organizations. They always need community members at large,” said Pydde.

amelia.naismith@pipestoneflyer.ca