Jack Watson, Clerk for the City of Timmins, is the recipient of the 2013 Prestige Award from AMCTO (the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario). Mr. Watson was presented with the Prestige Award during AMCTO's landmark 75th Annual Conference at Blue Mountain Resort in The Blue Mountains, Ontario.
AMCTO is the largest municipal professional association in Ontario, and the leading professional development organization for municipal administrative staff. AMCTO presents the Prestige Award annually to a member in recognition of a career of outstanding commitment to the ideals of the Association and to other endeavours which raise the profile of municipal professionals in the community.
This year's recipient, Jack Watson, has spent the last 40 years as a dedicated municipal professional. Throughout the span of his career, Watson has been an excellent mentor to his colleagues and staff, as he took on an ever-expanding role in his home municipality of Timmins that has encompassed everything from tourism, to economic development, to human resources, to marriage solemnization, elections management and much more.
Jack Watson has been an active member of AMCTO since 1975, lending his energy, experience and ideas to a number of Committees as well as his local AMCTO regional zone. Jack is an active mentor of municipal professionals and has delivered numerous training workshops to support the implementation of sound policies and legislation. Described by his colleagues as 'a straight shooter with a heart of gold', Watson has always encouraged his colleagues to challenge themselves; to challenge legislation and policies; and to challenge policy makers in order to make their communities better. Mr. Watson served as the Zone 8 Director to the AMCTO Board of Directors for nine years, culminating with serving as AMCTO President in 2004-2005.
Jack has contributed to the betterment of his community through his involvement in a number of local initiatives in Timmins. He was responsible for developing the annual Great Canadian Kayak Challenge, which he helped expand to become a multi-cultural event by working with multi-cultural groups and First Nations communities. Watson was also instrumental in many other community initiatives such as the Timmins FanFest, the development and promotion of the Shania Twain Centre and the Timmins Gold Mine Tour, and most recently, in organizing and leading much of the four year celebration of Timmins' 100th Anniversary. Jack's community contributions have helped make Timmins a better place to live.
Said Timmins Mayor, Tom Laughren; "The City of Timmins is proud to learn that Jack Watson, Timmins' City Clerk is this years recipient of the AMCTO Prestige Award. Jack's service and dedication over the last forty (40) years exemplifies the criteria of this prestigious award."
