Rolling with things
Gerry Taft 's main focus is the new community hall
Gerry Taft, mayor of Invermere, B.C. — Photo courtesy Gerry Taft
First elected to Town Council in 2002 at the ripe old age of 20 and now in his third term as Mayor, Gerry Taft is excited about new developments in Invermere.
If all conditions were favourable right now (finances, consensus, manpower, skills), what’s the first thing you’d like to focus on for the community? In other words, what are you excited to get on with?
Our main focus this next year will be building a 17,000-square-foot community hall and multi-use facility. Construction should start in March or April 2016. It will keep us busy for the next 18 months during construction, and it replaces the old community hall plus it adds expanded space for the municipal library. The enhancement of the main hall will allow for expanded performing arts, whether it's music or live theatre. The main hall will be able to be divided into smaller spaces for clubs and other activities.
What do you see as your council’s two main strengths?
Experience is No. 1: four out of five councillors were on the last term. We have a lot of experience and hit the ground running.
And we work really well with other local governments in the Columbia Valley, for example, the RDEK and Village of Radium.
What’s the best piece of advice you were ever given, and who gave it to you?
Last year at this time with the birth of my first child, someone said to me, “It's long days and short years.” It can be applied to politics as well. You have those days when things can be really stressful, but when you look at the whole picture, time does go by very quickly and it does take a long time to make things happen, but overall it's a positive experience.
What’s something you’ve learned in the past year about your community?
In the fall of 2015, I talked with a lot of baby boom-aged couples who are retiring and moving out to Invermere and area—not just one but quite a few couples leaving Calgary and moving to Invermere full-time.
What’s something you’ve learned in the past year about yourself?
Related to the baby, you don't have to know everything, but if you're willing to figure it out as you go and roll with things, a lot of times stuff isn't as scary as it might seem. And some of that is true with this new building. We've never built anything this large in Invermere in decades.
What five words, for you, convey the elements of a successful character?
Reasonable, common sense, approachable and efficient
What’s the most meaningful compliment you’ve ever received?
When you're in politics, when someone in the past has complained about everything all the time, and then they don't complain about a single thing, that's more meaningful.
What’s been a stretch or challenge for you in the past year?
There hasn't been very much; the last year has been very smooth.
What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
In business, leverage in real estate, buying stuff when you don't have all the money.
What’s your favourite quote?
“Long days and short years”
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