NORTH BATTLEFORD — It was a time to acknowledge success as the City of North Battleford presented its 2025 Order of Merit awards at a ceremony at the Chapel Gallery on March 18.
Len Taylor and the late Glenn Goodman were each honoured at this year’s ceremony.
The award was established in late 2024. Long-time educator and community volunteer Herb Sutton was the first recipient.
The city-led initiative recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions on a number of levels.
Former city councillor, former member of Parliament and former MLA Taylor accepted the award for his contributions to the community.
He was elected twice as the MP for Battlefords–Meadow Lake, serving from 1988 to 1997.
"In Ottawa, he was a powerful voice for rural Saskatchewan, championing the needs of farmers, families and small communities," said Coun. Bill Ironstand. "His work demonstrated a deep understanding of regional challenges, and a steadfast belief that government should always prioritize the public interest."
Taylor went on to serve as a member of North Battleford city council from 2000 to 2003.
In 2003, he was elected as the MLA for The Battlefords constituency, where he served until 2011.
He later returned to city council from 2016 to 2024.
Taylor said he was surprised to be honoured.
"I'm not done yet," he said. "There's still things that need to be done and I think I can contribute to the community further."
Taylor said much of his success has come from learning to listen.
"If you can listen, you can make some friends, and you can get some work done," he said.
Before entering politics, Taylor was a journalist with the Battlefords News-Optimist and wrote a column about local businesses.
"Every week I learned different things and that kind of taught me about how working with members of the community is an important way to get things done," he said. "So how can I keep doing that? And that led to politics. You get elected. You get a period of time in which you work with the community, and you try and bring people together to find ways of achieving goals."
The family of renowned musician Goodman, who died last year, accepted the Order of Merit award on his behalf.
Coun. Rodney Fedler presented the award to Glenn’s wife, Myrna.
He said Goodman’s name has been synonymous with music and the arts in the area for 60 years.
"His legacy is woven into the cultural fabric of our community and his influence continues to resonate with every song sung, every note played and every heart touched by the arts," Fedler said.
Goodman served as a concert pianist and organist and directed many choirs in the Battlefords area. He was also a sessional pipe organ instructor at the University of Saskatchewan and an adjudicator at many music festivals.
"This truly speaks about community," said Myrna Goodman. "It's community that encouraged him. He had very fine instructors and people of note here in small-town Saskatchewan."
She said North Battleford has always been an arts and music centre.
Myrna said her husband’s dedication to music and the arts in the community was a lifelong passion.
