Appreciating Golden

We explore the business, the personal and the philosophical with the mayor of Golden, B.C.

by Marie Milner — November 27, 2015

Ron Oszust has been the mayor of Golden, B.C., since November 2014. — Photo courtesy Ron Oszust

Ron Oszust, mayor of Golden, B.C., said that during the first year of his term it was confirmed for him over and over that people in Golden love and care for their community.

“We have fantastic, giving citizens and volunteers,” he said. “The community rallies around folks in a way that’s absolutely amazing. I’ve been a volunteer in the community for many years myself, but now I’m seeing it from a different perspective.”

We asked Oszust a few more questions about his experience during the past 12 months and a few about himself.

What have you learned about yourself in the past year?

I need to become more comfortable with public speaking. It’s been my biggest stretch in the past year. I know that people are kind and receptive and all of that, but speaking in front of large groups still makes me feel sick.

If you had your choice, what would be your favourite project to get on with right now?

My wishlist includes a secure, provincial-federal five- or 10-year funding program.

Through our asset management plan for our core assets, we’ve identified 19 projects that need to be done over the next 10 to 20 years. If we had a program in place where we could know for sure how much money we could access for infrastructure each year for the next five or 10 years, then we would be able to better plan around that to get the work done. If you have to respond to the funding program of the day, you aren’t able to do good long-term planning.

To truly meet our responsibilities, we should be able to present our current and future taxpayers with a long-term plan to address all these critical services. Without a promise of long-term funding, you end up doing these projects fully on the backs of the property taxpayers, and there’s a limit to how much they can afford.

What are a couple of your council’s strengths?

Our council works as a team to provide the best possible service to our community. After our debates, no matter how vigorous, we’re still a team. We’re civil and respectful of each other even when we get emotional, and that’s not the case for every municipality.

The other strength that we have as a council is our CAO, Jon Wilsgard. I know him to be an outstanding individual and very community minded. His staff are all hard-working, great people who really care about their community.

For you, what are some essential elements of success?

Trustworthiness, respectfulness, being responsible, fairness and caring. Those elements will accomplish the long-term sustainability of anything. Those factors allow us to go ahead in society and in life.

What’s the best advice you ever received?

I read this a lifetime ago in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”

How can I influence people if I don’t understand where they’re coming from? In business, as the boss. I can say, “This is what we’re going to do,” but that’s not my role as the mayor.

What’s the most meaningful compliment you have received?

For me, it’s simply, “Thank you for helping.” Whether it’s something massive or something tiny, it’s important to that person or group. They know they were heard and they appreciate it. What this is all about is making a difference in people’s lives.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?

As a volunteer firefighter and a member of search and rescue and a paramedic for 24 years, and as an avid backcountry outdoorsman doing skiing, snowmobiling, hiking and mountain biking, I’ve been in many risky situations. Having said all of that, probably the biggest risk that I ever take is one that I take for granted, and that’s driving a vehicle. We forget how vulnerable we are, how directly exposed to others’ decisions and actions we are when we’re driving. People’s lives are ended or turned upside down in the blink of an eye. I’ve seen it.

Ron Oszust appreciates the active outdoors lifestyle available in Golden, B.C., where he is the mayor.

What’s your favourite quote or philosophy?

"It’s not about what you want, it’s about what you have" —and I don’t know where I heard that or read it. Many times we aspire to more, and we forget to take a moment to realize how lucky we are to have what we already have: food and shelter, family and other people who love us nearby, the basic fact that we’re safe, with no one shooting at us. It’s about appreciating what we have.

Is there something you’d like to add?

It’s been good to ponder these questions. The year has gone by so fast. I’ve enjoyed this year and I’m thankful for the continued support of our community and our staff and council. I count myself fortunate and privileged to be here and in this role in a community that really cares and tries its best at all times.