The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Gaining insight from veterans will be Jack Rigby's focus as the new president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 73. Voting members chose Rigby over two other candidates, Bernie Cluff and Andy Stewart, in an election held Thursday. "We have to carry on the veterans' message," said Rigby, who replaces outgoing president Robert Penner. "We want to carry on what they have started, and we can't do that if we don't learn from them." Rigby, a Legion member for the past 22 years, sees the Manitoba smoking ban ? which has had a negative impact on Legion revenues ? as a challenge he will face during his one-year term. "It is hurting a bit," he said. "It will be better once Saskatchewan goes non-smoking. It will help a lot of the different places around town, including the Legion." With over 500 members, the Legion branch appears poised well for the future, in the new president's view. "It's a very healthy membership for the north," said Rigby, a development miner at Trout Lake Mine. "We're one of the biggest Legions in the north." Nevertheless, one of his goals will be to bring even more people on board. "We always want to increase membership," said Rigby, whose father served in the militia during the Second World War. Rigby, a first-time president, will be sworn in within the next three weeks. The Legion executive consists of: President - Jack Rigby Past-President - Grant Adams First Vice-President - Robert Penner Second Vice-President - Barry Dickens Sgt. At Arms - Don Zollen Executive members - Perry Burton and Barbara Corden Two other positions on the executive will soon be filled.
