A former Grand Forks City Council member and a leader in the city's recovery from the 1997 Red River flood was awarded the Grand Cities' highest community service honor Friday night.
Duane Hafner was recognized as the 40th recipient of the Henry Havig Award For Community Service during the Chamber of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks' annual meeting.
Speaking to dinner guests Friday at the Alerus Center, Hafner recalled being summoned into a meeting 20 years ago to have a beer.
"I walked out of there being a candidate for City Council," he said. "I never expected that, I never expected to go through one of the greatest experiences of my life: to help this city recover."
Hafner is the chairman of the Alerus Center Commission and was on the City Council from 1996 to 2000, according to Herald archives. He worked on a number of flood-related issues in that time, including as chairman of the Flood Protection Committee, which planned dikes around the city after the devastating flood.
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"His caring and compassion and approach to dealing with those who were harmed by the flood drew praises from nearly all he encountered," said Bob Boyd, a past Havig award winner who presented Hafner with the honor Friday.
Hafner cited the demands of his day job at Nodak Electric Cooperative for hanging up his hat on Ward 7 in 2000. He worked at Nodak for 44 years, including as office manager, according to the Chamber's news release.
Hafner was a member of the Grand Forks Housing Authority Board, a member of Kiwanis International, and served on the Sioux Booster Board as well as the Salvation Army Board. He also has been involved with Sharon Lutheran Church.
The Havig award was first presented in 1977 in memory of longtime businessman and community advocate Henry Havig, according to the Chamber. Last year's winner was Jim Hansen, a local philanthropist and former owner of Hansen Ford. East Grand Forks City Council member Henry Tweten won it the year before that.
