Lakeshore's Duquette Takes Top Spot at Local Truck Roadeo

Public Works Equipment Operator to compete at Provincial competition in September

Ron Duquette, a Municipality of Lakeshore Equipment Operator, recently won the Truck Roadeo hosted by the local chapter of the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS). Duquette’s June 24 victory is the first for a Lakeshore staff member and queues him up to compete at the Provincial-level competition in September.

“I am thrilled to be the first Lakeshore staff member to win the local event and I’m proud to represent the municipality at the Provincial competition,” said Duquette.

“On behalf of Council and our communities, congratulations to Ron for his outstanding performance and good luck as he moves on to represent Lakeshore later this year,” said Mayor Tracey Bailey. “Team Lakeshore members like Ron play a crucial role in keeping our roads and communities safe and we appreciate the work that they do every day.”

Each year, local chapters of AORS host Truck Roadeos that promote safety, courtesy, and professional public works driving skills in a competitive environment. The competition tests safety and driving skills on trucks equipped with snowplows and wings. The event includes a pre-trip inspection, an obstacle course designed to simulate real-world scenarios, as well as a written test.

Two winners from each local association move on to compete at the Provincial Safety Truck Roadeo to showcase the expertise of the best municipal equipment operators in Ontario.

This year, Lakeshore’s Duquette was the top driver in the local competition with a score of 352 out of a possible 395. Shawn Marchand, of the Town of Essex, took second place with a score of 347.

“The local association was thrilled with the turnout of 34 drivers from area municipalities and are pleased to send Ron and Shawn on to the Provincial competition in September,” said Kirby McArdle, AORS representative for the Essex County Municipal Supervisors Association.

This year’s Provincial competition will be hosted by the Lanark County Road Supervisors Association on Wednesday, September 24 in the Town of Carleton Place.