Township administrator Mark Bakken received a standing ovation from council on Monday, after Mayor Jack Froese announced that he had been recognized with a Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) award.

It recognizes his 15 years as the Township鈥檚 top bureaucrat.

Bakken actually began his career at the Township when working as a summer student, between 1978 and 1981.

鈥淪taff at operations still remember him as a student,鈥� Froese remarked. 鈥淗e must have left a lasting impression.鈥�

Bakken, who was a lawyer with Lindsay Kenney when he was hired by the municipality in December, 1996, has worked with four mayors: John Scholtens, Kurt Alberts, Rick Green, and Froese.

Froese calculated that in 15 years as the Township鈥檚 CEO, Bakken must have spent more than 700 Monday evenings at council meetings.

Bakken is a keen hockey fan, in addition to his work with the Township, and has been deeply involved with 91原创 Minor Hockey Association