MPP Trevor Jones Leads Prestigious Ceremony Honouring Local Medal Recipients

MPP Trevor Jones Hosts Special Ceremony to Honour Local Medal Recipients

NEWS | January 26, 2025

Chatham, ON – On January 24th, MPP Trevor Jones hosted a special ceremony at the Royal Canadian Legion, Chatham Branch 642, to recognize outstanding individuals from the community for their exceptional contributions and achievements. The event brought together family, friends, and community members to celebrate the accomplishments of four medal recipients in attendance.

The recipients present at the ceremony were:

  • Len Maynard: Retired Warrant Officer after 30 years of service to Canada.
  • Gary Conn: Retired Chief of Police in Chatham-Kent.
  • Doug Sulman: Recognized for Public Service, Rotary Club, Heart and Stroke Association. Served 37 years as a municipal politician and 3 years as a school board trustee.
  • Irene Mable Williams: Has been involved with the Royal Canadian Legion for the past 29 years.

These remarkable individuals were honoured for their dedication and service, exemplifying the values of community spirit and leadership that strengthen our region.

Unfortunately, four additional recipients were unable to attend the ceremony due to prior commitments. MPP Jones will personally present their medals at a later date to ensure their achievements are properly celebrated. The recipients unable to attend were:

  • Marta Anderson: Executive Director of the Cross Border Institute at the University of Windsor, a fellow at the Wilson Institute, and former V.P. at Gordie Howe International Bridge Crossing in charge of procurement. She was the only woman in the world in charge of a multi-billion dollar procurement project during her V.P. position at Gordie Howe.
  • Clifford Hartwick: Excellent member of his community for 80 years. Retired farmer and Police Officer, where he was involved in the VIP program and was one of the founding officers of Cop Camp. Volunteered countless hours to his Church, Goodfellows, and Hospice.
  • Wendy Parson: Joined the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce in 2003 and took over as manager in 2014. Wendy has volunteered for the Leamington Rotary Club for over a decade, hosting foreign exchange students and even serving as President.
  • Wes Thompson (Posthumously): Ambassador and Supporter of Blenheim. Wes was a businessman as well as a community advocate. He served as a devoted representative of his neighborhood throughout his professional life, welcoming clients from all over the globe to the Heart of the Golden Acres. Wes was a philanthropic community contributor and the former CEO of Thompson’s Ltd. Wes served as president of the United Way board as well. He collaborated with James Rasmussen to plan the May 16th, Chatham-Kent food drive that took place on May 16th, 2020.

“It’s an honour to acknowledge these exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to our community,” said MPP Trevor Jones. “Their dedication and hard work inspire us all, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to recognize their achievements.”

The Royal Canadian Legion, Chatham Branch 642, provided a fitting venue for the event, underscoring the importance of community in celebrating local accomplishments. MPP Jones and his team extend their gratitude to the Legion staff for their hospitality and support.

For more information about the event or the award recipients, please contact:

Nammar Cristofari
Executive Assistant to MPP Trevor Jones

Chatham-Kent-Leamington
Email: nammar.cristofari@pc.ola.org

MPP Trevor Jones:
MPP Trevor Jones represents Chatham-Kent-Leamington and is dedicated to supporting local initiatives, celebrating community achievements, and advocating for the needs of his constituents.