WHITEWATER REGION (Westmeath) — A Westmeath resident, who recently retired from the OPP, was recently presented with an achievement award.
Retired OPP Constable Beth Ethier received the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Award for the professional category at its 2017 Road Safety Achievement Award Ceremony.
Renfrew County and District Health Unit in collaboration with the Renfrew County’s Police Committee nominated Ms. Ethier for this prestigious award. In the nomination application, Brian Brohart, Chair of the Police Committee and Health Promoter at Renfrew County and District Health Unit indicated that, “For over 20 years Beth embodied the definition of what a Community Safety Officer and Community Mobilization Officer should be. The Renfrew County and District Health Unit has collaborated extensively with Beth over that time and have experienced many mutual successes in the field of road safety. Some of these successes include the implementation of Operation Lookout in Renfrew County, ATV safety campaigns, bus safety and impaired driving education and awareness campaigns.”
In her nomination letter of support, Treena Lemay, Town of Petawawa Councillor and Chair of the Town’s Police Services Board wrote, “Beth constantly used her contacts with the MTO to help our Board obtain information about projects and keep us informed about opportunities to become involved in provincial activities.”
Constable Ethier said, “I am very honored and humbled to receive this award. We had a great working relationship with the many wonderful community partners in many different areas of road safety from bicycle rodeos, drinking and driving campaigns, road safety challenges and car seat clinics to distracted driving campaigns”.
The MTO awards program was created in 1996 to recognize the outstanding contribution of individuals, organizations and community groups who work to improve the safety of Ontario’s roads. During the awards ceremony, it was noted several times that Ontario’s roads are among the safest in North America and it is the result of the extensive level of cooperation between the MTO, enforcement agencies, public health, volunteers, media and corporations.
