MOOSE JAW — City hall honoured retiring employees Bill Howes, Caroline Dreger, Rhonda Penner, Randy Sutcliffe and Gary Couzens
Below are brief biographies of some retirees, who collectively have 184 years of employment.
Fire department
Howes began working with the fire department in 1989, was promoted to shift captain in 2016 and to senior captain in 2020, said Fire Chief Rod Montgomery.
The 35-year firefighter received the exemplary service medal and the protective service medal, with the latter given to those who set high standards, strive for excellence and protect their community, the chief continued.
“He always had a working commitment, ensuring that his people were prepared. His equipment … he ensured that was always in a state of readiness,” Montgomery added. “And every day he showed up … . I knew I could depend on him. And he was my go-to senior captain.”
Mayor’s office
Dreger — who retires in January — began working as a stenographer in the city clerk’s office in 1982 at age 22, a year when some current directors were not born yet, joked city manager Maryse Carmichael. Dreger then became an assistant in the mayor’s office in 2001 and worked under seven mayors.
Carmichael thanked the retiree for her decades of dedication, service and loyalty, joking that she likely kept several mayors in line while working long hours to support them.
Dreger said afterward that her 43 years went by quickly while she enjoyed working for the city, meeting people and helping residents. Moreover, she enjoyed working with seven mayors, had good relationships with them and handled their eccentricities well, but felt it was time to retire.
“When I first worked in the mayor’s office, one thing I remember … is how people love their lapel pins, little things like that,” Dreger said, adding that in retirement, she’ll rest, volunteer and spend more time being active.
Operations
Penner began as a temporary employee in 1999 before being hired full-time in 2004, while she worked in several departments and held many roles, said Staci Dobrescu, manager of public works and utilities. Furthermore, she received the special achievement award in 2019, which was “well deserved.”
She retired in May.
Many people appreciated Penner’s care and compassion since she kept customers calm on the phone during stressful situations, such as water flooding into their basements after a sewer collapsed, Dobrescu said.
Furthermore, Penner annually hosted enjoyable office Christmas goodie exchanges, with Dobrescu joking that staff now had to make their own sweets, “which is very tiresome.”
The retiree also “made it a mission” to help less fortunate residents, especially at Christmas, when she adopted families through the Salvation Army, connected with them and asked what they needed. This made their Christmas “unforgettable.”
Similarly, Penner built relationships with staff and “was driven to make the grumpiest men walking smile,” Dobrescu said, which she successfully did through actions such as texting or calling employees on their birthdays.
Dobrescu also commended Penner for making the week bearable by singing a humorous tune called “The Friday Song.”
Transit
Couzens worked for the city from 1985 to 1998 and from 2004 to 2024 — a total of 33 years — and served as a paratransit driver during his second stint, said Krysti Johre, manager of transportation and procurement.
Couzens ensured that the rides were fun and exciting, especially when city crews were filling potholes, when he would drive over the potholes and have everyone chant out, “Call the mayor!” she continued. Many clients also wanted to be dropped off last to enjoy that frivolity.
The paratransit driver’s efficiency level is remarkable — junior drivers who ride with him are amazed — because he can complete trips in a timely manner, Johre said. Meanwhile, he is a fixture on the team — he is the longest-serving member and retires in December — and offers advice or assistance to others.
“And I’m not sure if he’s aware of this, but he’s earned himself a nickname in the office … (of) Captain Couzens,” she added. “Yeah, we have a lot of fun.”
