The Scoop Lewry Award is named after the former Moose Jaw Mayor, L.H. Lewry who was also President of Suma 1956-1957. The first presentation of the award was in 1975. The award is for outstanding service in municipal government or administration on a local, provincial and national basis.

At the SUMA Convention last night, Debra Button, Mayor of Weyburn 2006-2016, was awarded the Scoop Lewry Award.

Button served as SUMA's first female President February 4th, 2013-2016 and said it was truly an honour to receive the award.

"Very humbled to have received this award, it's not something SUMA hands out very quickly. It hasn't been handed out since 2012. To see my name on that trophy with so many other deserving individuals is very humbling," explained Button.

As a former SUMA President, Button is allowed to take in the full convention but with another job, she could only be there for the Presidents Banquets last night.

Button credits the SUMA board she worked with when she was President.

"I still feel I had one of the best boards from across the province, coming together at the SUMA table to advocate for our Urban Municipalities. Last night was an opportunity to say thank you and also some goodbyes."

Button is not involved in SUMA anymore but has been keeping a close eye on the discussions about revenue cuts to municipalities of the province. She added it was in 2015 then-Premier Brad Wall said  "everything is on the table," during the economic downturn in 2015. They had to be prepared to share in the good time and the bad times.

"We had to do a lot of work to sit down with our government representatives and to try and make them understand this relatively new formula that we had negotiated with them." She also said it is now time for a renegotiation of those dollars.

"Of course it gets into your blood and I am sitting back watching and listening to hear how those negotiations go."

"Like many of my friends around the municipal world, they're nervous to see what this government will do in this budget that is coming out in April for the revenue sharing dollars."

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The Scoop Lewry Award has not been awarded to anyone since 2012, submitted by Debra Button