Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize an individual I worked with and who, as a result, helped me grow as a person. Larry McNeill is retiring after 32 years and nine months of service with the Government of the Northwest Territories.
He started with the NWT Power Corporation and then joined the Department of Public Works and Services in Inuvik as a heavy duty mechanic. It was shortly after that, that I joined the department as an apprentice auto mechanic in 1981. From the days of working in what was the old Inuvik fire hall to a newer location and then to working on carburetors — yes, I said carburetors — to seeing the age of computer assisted engines, from working under parachutes in 40 below weather to working on outboard motors in Deline, Larry has seen a lot of change. He also saw a number of apprentices come through that shop. I’m sure there were times when he must have thought: where do they get these guys from? Along with the other mechanic, he pushed us at times, even counselled us through difficult times. Through his efforts he saw many of us through to completion as certified tradesmen and watched us grow and move on.
Larry is the longest serving member of our mechanic shop. He was there when we serviced all the Beaufort communities and Sahtu communities. He was there when the government privatized our operation. He remained with the department to change the focus through the operation of contracting the work out. Mr. Speaker, there are days when I miss the back and forth of the shop, when we traded jokes and shots.
Tomorrow evening they will be holding a supper for Larry, and I am sorry that I’m not able to make the trip. I have to say there are many stories I could tell. I also have to be cautious, because there are many stories he could tell.
Mr. Speaker, I want to personally say to Mr. Larry McNeill: thank you for all of your help and guidance during the time we spent together in our shop. Happy retirement.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.
