Recent History – 2003
June 23, 2003, By Jamie Dirom, Daily News Staff
Duty has called, and the Haggetts have answered. After only two years in Dawson Creek, Salvation Army Capts. Barry and
Gail Haggett are once again on the move. The couple had hoped to remain in Dawson Creek over the long term, but they’re ready to take on a new posting in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
The transfer may have something to do with Barry’s expertise – he managed a construction company for 10 years, and successfully got Dawson Creek’s Salvation Army Thrift Store back up and running. In Yarmouth, the Army is building a church, and with plenty of construction success in his past, who better to help on the project than Barry?
“Apparently they’ve got three quarters of a million dollars sitting in a pot somewhere and they want to build,” said Barry. Although they’re getting ready to go – the couple leaves at the end of the month – they wanted to stay in Dawson Creek.
“We wanted to stay here long-term,” said Barry. Gail added that the couple has met “friends for life” in Dawson Creek. “It’s really hard because we don’t want to leave.”
In addition to the strong personal relationships they forged in their short time here, the Haggetts have also fostered strong relationships with community organizations, businesses and the local media – relationships that have been a key to the Salvation Army’s successes over the last two years.
“Altogether, the support here is about the best we’ve ever seen,” said Barry. “The Salvation Army in a lot of communities is not quite like it is here. “I don’t expect we’ll get support any better (anywhere else).”
Gail and Barry’s stint in Dawson Creek was their first posting with the Salvation Army. Projects such as the Thrift Store renovations, food drives and the Red Shield Appeal campaign all thrived under their watch.
“The thrift store renovations went really smooth,” said Barry. After completing the time-consuming thrift store project, the pair had hoped to get even more involved with the community than they already were, perhaps by joining one of Dawson Creek’s many community groups. While they’re sad to leave Dawson Creek, there are definitely positives involved in the move. In particular, the couple will be moving closer to home – they were posted to Dawson Creek from Newfoundland, where much of Gail’s family still lives. They say they’re ready to start work in Nova Scotia, but they’ll miss Dawson Creek and its people, who always seemed willing to help when help was needed.
Shortly after the Haggetts’ departure, Capts. Roger and Frances Lee will arrive in Dawson Creek to continue the church organization’s work.
This article is taken from the Peace River Block Daily News, Dawson Creek, with the permission of the publisher. The Daily News retains all rights relating to this material. The information in this article is intended solely for research or general interest purposes.