Terrace city council recognized the actions of a longtime community member during the regular council meeting on Aug. 27.
Mohinder Singh Takhar and his family moved to Terrace from Prince Rupert in 1970 after immigrating from India in 1959, and has been as a driving force in the community ever since in real estate, business, philanthropy and local politics.
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He began in the trucking business hauling lumber with his first company Takhar Trucking in 1970 before setting up a small sawmill, Terrace Precut Mill, on Braun Street. He was elected to city council in 1983 and served for 10 years, contributing as an active member on numerous committees over those terms.
The city said Takhar made significant contributions to the community over the years, including donations of around $20,000 to the Terrace Sportsplex and the REM Lee Hospital Foundation for the purchase of the hospital’s CT scanner. He is also the 2006 recipient of the Order of Terrace, a fraternity of merit that recognizes people who have made a positive and significant difference in the community.
Takhar’s initiative and contribution helped construct the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in 1978, and purchased the Gobind Mall in 1995. He helped to start the Terrace Lumber Company in 2005 along with other investors and served as B.C.’s northwest liaison on the Timber Export Advisory Committee.
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Takhar is moving with his family to Vancouver to be closer to family.
Many members on council said their farewells during the meeting in recognition of his service. Acting as deputy mayor, Coun. Michael Prevost read out a message sent by Helmut Giesbrecht, the former mayor of Terrace from 1981 to 1985, about Takhar’s departure.
“It has been an honour to work with you in the past and I always appreciated your calm and respectful manner…,” the message read. “Thank you for your community service and I wish you and your wife good health and much joy and peace in the future. If you come back for a visit and I’m still at Tim Hortons, I will buy the coffee.”
brittany@terracestandard.com
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