SUBMITTED
The Municipality of Mississippi Mills can once again say we have the best municipal equipment operator in the province!
Roads and Public Works employee Ben Kipp reclaimed the John Gloor Memorial Trophy and the “Driver of the Year” title after competing in the annual Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) Provincial Safety Truck Roadeo in Douro-Drummer on September 25. He previously won the title in 2022.
Ben scored 347 points out of a possible 370 points to secure the top spot, cash and prizes in the Roadeo, which included a pre-trip inspection challenge, followed by a series of obstacles driving a truck equipped with a snow plow and wing. He competed alongside 44 fellow top municipal drivers in the day-long event.
“On behalf of Council and staff I would like to congratulate Ben on this tremendous achievement,” said Mayor Christa Lowry. “This marks the fourth time the AORS ‘Driver of the Year’ title has been awarded to a Mississippi Mills operator since it was established. Our residents can feel confident knowing that our equipment operators are some of the best and safest in the province!”
AORS is comprised of 33 local associations with over 2,000 members. The purpose of their Provincial Safety Truck Roadeo is to promote safety, develop driving schools and provide an opportunity for competitors to gain personal achievement.
“We promote equipment operator training and skills development,” said John Maheu, AORS Executive Director. “Professional drivers, like these competitors, operate more safely, productively, reduce downtime and increase the service life of valuable municipal assets. In affiliation with our training partners, we offer several equipment operator safety and skills training programs to meet these objectives.
This was Ben’s 8th trip to the Provincial Safety Truck Roadeo. He earned a berth to the Provincials after placing second in the Lanark County Truck Roadeo in the spring. With his provincial win, Ben automatically punches his ticket to next year’s Provincials, set to be held in Carleton Place.
“I would like to thank Mississippi Mills and Lanark County for the opportunity to showcase the important role municipal equipment operators play toward ensuring safe and efficient municipal operations,” Kipp stated.
