CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou Mayor Gary Aiken took a few moments during an Aug. 14 City Council meeting to recognize municipal staffers for their recent achievements and overall dedication to the city.
Aiken said that, while many department directors were not present at the meeting, they “have made quite an achievement, and I’d like to recognize them tonight.”
Since Caribou’s last Council meeting on July 10, Fire Chief Scott Susi received his executive fire officer III and IV certification; Police Chief Michael Gahagan received a community partner award from the Maine Children’s Trust; City Clerk Jayne Farrin was presented with lifetime certification from the Maine Town and City Clerks’ Association; and Marketing and Events Director Christina Kane-Gibson received a public communications certification from Texas Christian University.
The mayor also mentioned the volunteer work required to orchestrate Thursdays on Sweden, a summer-long event that is arguably the city’s largest annual endeavor.
“I don’t think the people of Caribou realize how lucky they are that we have so many people in the city working for us, who are so dedicated and do so much,” Aiken said, “not just in keeping up with their training, but also volunteering their time for the city.”
Department heads who help with traffic or organizing activities for Thursdays on Sweden — from the police chief to Public Works Director Dave Ouellette — are volunteering their own time, the mayor said.
“They’re not being paid to be down there,” Aiken said. “They’re volunteering because they have an interest in making this city a great place for everybody.”
Aiken’s comments elicited applause from councilors, staff, and members of the public present during the meeting.
