Editor:
I saw an ad in Coast Reporter recently from South Coast Ford thanking Waynne Pretty for his 23 years of service and congratulating him on his upcoming retirement. That inspired me to share my own Waynne Pretty story.
Years ago when I was pregnant with my first child, my husband and I bought a slightly used “reliable family car” from a family friend. Two months later, and only three weeks after our baby was born, it broke down on the highway during a snowstorm. While I stood at Ford’s service counter, Waynne Pretty (who only knew me as a customer from a vehicle purchase years earlier) came by to say hello. After overhearing my conversation with the service department about a very expensive repair (and seeing my sleep-deprived, stressed-out state) Waynne quietly slipped back to his office. As I left the building and stood outside contemplating an expensive cab ride back to Gibsons, versus standing at a bus stop in January with a five-pound newborn, Waynne walked up to me, handed me the keys to his spare car, and said, “You can’t be out in weather like this with a baby.”
Weeks went by as Ford waited for a customized repair part. During that time, Waynne called periodically to update me on my car, and I called him periodically to ask sheepishly if I could keep using his. He always said yes. Two months passed before our car was finally ready. Waynne didn’t sell us that car, he didn’t make a commission from it, and he didn’t charge us anything for the use of his. He simply recognized a family at a point in their lives that could use a helping hand and was kind enough to offer it.
As a new councillor for the Town of Gibsons, I hope to find ways of recognizing the contributions that people like Waynne make, because I believe it is these acts of kindness and compassion that help build a good community and make us more than just another place to live. Thanks again Waynne, and congratulations on your well-deserved retirement!
Aleria Ladwig, Gibsons
