You see all the good, and you see all the bad

Cranbrook's outgoing mayor, Scott Manjak, reflects on his term

Cranbrook's outgoing mayor, Scott Manjak, in front of the recently completed seniors affordable housing project. — Dan Williams photo

Cranbrook’s outgoing mayor, Scott Manjak, was relaxed yet passionate as he spoke about the accomplishments of his office and council members over the last three years—and with good reason.

As Mayor Manjak listed off these accomplishments, I recognized a sense of success across the board. Economic, land base, First Nations, environment, civic and cultural milestones and benchmarks are the results of caring, compassionate and hard-working elected officials with Manjak at the helm.

Cranbrook is a leader in Western Canada

Manjak said that the city leads the way in Western Canada on several issues.

Cranbrook is at the front of rural asset management in British Columbia; Manjak explained that this covers policy development. City hall staff and politicians now have hard data in infrastructure and assets, allowing for better decision-making when spending taxpayers' dollars.

The refit of the spray field irrigation—which has been a priority in the community—has finally been completed. Cranbrook is now recognized as a leader in Western Canada in utilizing spray field technology.

Under the environment file, Cranbrook has created new policies that Manjak feels are balanced and pragmatic and encourage investment while protecting the environment. From steep slopes development, new subdivision erosion and sediment controls to recently struck bylaws and policies regarding interface fireproofing—all have been created during Manjak’s term.

“Of course the environmental community will say they don’t go far enough,” said Manjak, “while the developer community will say they go too far. But when you look at them, they are very balanced.”

Cranbrook’s first sustainability plan

Cranbrook’s integrated community sustainability plan—the City’s first—was delivered on time and on budget. The plan is a blueprint for how the City manages its most valuable resources—water, land, air—and how the City will stimulate growth and investment in the future.

“I am very proud of this document,” Manjak said.

Building relationships

“We have really recommitted ourselves to this idea of partnerships with service clubs, upper levels of government, with community groups that benefit our city and region,” said Manjak.

Based on a desire to find solutions to a wide spectrum of challenges, Manjak’s term focused on building bridges between local and grassroots organizations and all levels of government.

“We (local government) want to be part of the solution. The urban deer issue is a perfect example of that,” said Manjak.

The Ktunaxa

For Manjak, a personal goal was creating a new commitment and healing old wounds with the St. Mary’s Indian band and the Ktunaxa Nation, to move forward in a positive direction in a spirit of co-operation.

Although considered iconic gestures—the raising of the Ktunaxa Nation’s flag at the airport, the Olympic podium and the Reconciliation Sculpture—they did demonstrate the depth of commitment from the City and helped to solidify an open government-to-government memorandum of understanding with the St. Mary’s band.

“Personally, I take the greatest pride in this memorandum of understanding document,” said Manjak. “I am so proud of the work we have done on that particular file, because that is relationship building. At the end of the day, that is our most important job—relationship building.”

The politician in Manjak

The intensity of the job took Manjak by surprise.

“As mayor, you learn very quickly that you are the focal point—you see the good and see you the bad,” he said.

Sometimes the message can get away from you, and the controversy surrounding the East Hill boundary extension was an example of that. Manjak explained that information not communicated well can go astray, also stressing that listening and not agreeing is not listening.

However, politicians are not impervious, nor right all the time.

“As a politician, you have to be humble enough to recognize when we make mistakes,” Manjak said. “If we make mistakes, acknowledge them and you correct them. I think that doesn’t happen enough in government.”

Government doesn’t have all the answers, but it can be a great catalyst or facilitator—and Manjak said that’s what he and his team at city hall have taken pride in.

“We’ve been able to bring groups and government together for the benefit of Cranbrook,” Manjak said. “We have a lot to be proud of in Cranbrook.”