MONCTON, N.B. The Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) doled out its 2002 annual awards at the 52nd convention held in Moncton on Oct. 24 to Oct. 26.

The Safety to Motor Transportation Award, sponsored by Markel Insurance Company of Canada, was awarded to Sheila Hoeg for her dedication to safety within the trucking industry. Hoeg has worked for Brookville Carriers Flatbed LP of Truro, N.S. for the past eight years. Working in the safety and compliance department, Hoeg has been instrumental in the administration of the company’s 45-day inspection program when it was implemented. She is also responsible for fleet maintenance and ensuring the equipment is inspected, looked after and meets industry standards.

The Good Samaritan Award was presented to driver Gary Siddall of Belleville, N.B. for his selfless actions at the scene of a traffic accident in Pennsylvania. On Feb. 26 of this year, a car that passed Siddall’s truck lost control and flipped several times landing on its roof. Siddall jumped out immediately after warning all other area drivers of the accident over the CB radio, and approached the car. He checked the scene thoroughly for anything that may cause a fire and tried to determine how many people were in the car. He established that the driver was the only occupant in the vehicle and since she was able to speak to him, he knew she was ok. Siddall had to break the driver side window, unhook the driver’s seatbelt and he then extracted her from the vehicle. At this point, several people had gathered at the accident site, and when Siddall was assured that she was alright and that an ambulance was on its way, he got back in his truck and continued on his way. Siddall works for Fastrax Transportation out of Florenceville, N.B. The Good Samaritan Award is sponsored by Marine Atlantic Inc.

Debert, N.S. resident, Wanda Slack, was awarded the Dispatcher of the Year Award for the dedication and compassion that she has taken to her work with Brookville Carriers Flatbed LP of Truro, N.S. for 11 years. She shows exceptional customer service and goes beyond the call of duty to assist her drivers in any way she can. She has been given many recommendations by her drivers, and because they are affected in such a positive way by her hard work, they often like to present her with tokens of their appreciation. Slack has the respect and co-operation of her entire fleet because she, in turn, treats everyone she works with with the utmost respect and consideration. The Dispatcher of the Year Award is sponsored by Cancom Tracking.

This year is the first year for the Driver of the Year Award to be awarded to a husband and wife truck driving team. Claude and Shirley Sprott of Hoyt, N.B. are this year’s recipients and together have over 86 years of driving experience. The duo has been a driving team with Sunbury Transport Limited of Fredericton, N.B. for the past 32 years. Claude has driven over five million miles accident free during the past 54 years and Shirley has driven three million accident free miles over a 32-year period. The Sprotts have travelled to 48 States and 10 Provinces hauling mainly dry vans. The quiet and humble couple has shown an exemplary driving record and a commitment to professionalism in the trucking industry. The Driver of the Year Award is sponsored by Volvo Trucks Canada.

The Service to Industry Award, sponsored by Trailmobile Canada, was given to Eddie Hillman of Sydney, N.S. Hillman is president of Hillman’s Transfer Ltd., and has made an outstanding commitment to the well-being of the trucking industry. Hillman has been an active member of the APTA for a number of years and continues to be a great influence on the industry.

Hillman also enjoys spending time as a court jester for sick children. He was described as not only wanting to climb a mountain but wanting to climb the other side of it too.