Counc. Aaron Buckingham was in shock after being named the Lions’ Citizen of the Year. He was presented with the award by club president Travis Niekamp at the Legacy Centre on Monday night. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Once again, secret agents inside the Lloydminster Lions Club fooled their 2023 Citizen of the Year recipient, Councillor Aaron Buckingham.
Buckingham was caught unaware, believing he was just a guest dinner speaker at the Legacy Centre on Monday before Lion Ray Tatro spilled the beans.
“Did I not finish saying I hate this kind of thing,” said Buckingham after club president Travis Niekamp presented him with the award.
“You got me. I didn’t see it coming at all and I definitely don’t deserve it, but I had no idea this was the ulterior motive for getting me here tonight.”
Buckingham came from City Hall to talk about the Play it Forward charity hockey game that raised $70,400 for Border City Connects transportation service at the Servus Sports Centre on April 21.
“Whoever kept the secret did a great job,” said Buckingham.
Vic Juba who is behind a lot of these annual con jobs, says it’s all about deflection.
“We totally deflect them. We’ve been doing this since 1959. I can’t think of anybody who knew in advance. They’re just totally blindfolded,” said Juba with a laugh.
Buckingham sat in shock and awe while Tatro rattled off an endless list of his achievements and community involvement roles including a volunteer for the Border City Connects Society and his current role as deputy fire chief of the Britannia Fire Department.
He also recently received a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and is a member of the Lloydminster Rescue Squad.
His best friend and Britannia firefighter Capt. Gerry Yaremy submitted a fun letter Tatro read noting Buckingham’s wedding party in 1999 that continues to be a source of great memories for attendees.
Yaremy also gave his buddy kudos for helping firefighting volunteers improve their qualifications as an instructor of the National Fire Protection Association 1001 courses.
“I’m not sure how you got a hold of all the people in the world like Gerry to tell some stories, but he’s a long-time friend, my best friend and I’ll be giving a shout later and giving him sh*t, too,” joked Buckingham.
“Thanks for this. I’ve got nothing to say. I can’t believe it.”
