Mayor of Rossland invites communication

Infrastructure, housing and communication are top priorities for Mayor Greg E. Granstrom

Greg Granstrom, the mayor of Rossland, looks forward to another term. — Photo courtesy City of Rossland

Mayor Greg E. Granstrom is passionate about improving the community of Rossland. Although he was reluctant to discuss his goals for the community before council reviews them, he shared a few of the priorities he sees for the city.

Infrastructure

Granstrom is primarily concerned about the infrastructure of the city and he said he was disappointed with the results of the latest revitalization plan. The designs are intended to repair Columbia Avenue’s aging infrastructure, but limited funding prevented the project from moving forward.

“It’s time to deal with it,” he said.

Granstrom is eager to revisit the options at the next council meeting. His goal is to see what council can do for the community and how he can get the Ministry of Transportation to co-operate with the City on this project. Granstrom is particularly concerned about the pavement, the sewer and the water.

The project is being revisited in phases and Granstrom is making progress.

“The ministry has been very co-operative,” he said.

Housing for seniors

Granstrom would like to start planning housing options for seniors.

Housing options are limited at the best of times, but housing for seniors in Rossland is virtually non-existent. Granstrom said that the council has reviewed the idea and that it would be expanding housing options for seniors.

Concerned citizens will be making suggestions about the related issues through a committee known as the Seniors Housing Task Force.

Rossland’s winter carnival

Rossland celebrates the 115th year of its annual winter carnival in 2012.

Granstrom is particularly proud of Rossland’s event and he described it with excitement. The carnival will have a parade, bobsledding races, hockey games, skiing and many other activities for families. But the highlight of the event, for some people, is about remembering a local legend.

Olaus Jeldness is known for being the grandfather of skiing in Rossland and he is fondly remembered every year at the carnival. Jeldness came to Rossland from Norway in 1896 and he is honoured for being a daring competitor at local ski races.

Granstrom announced that about 30 of the Jeldness descendants have been invited from Norway to attend the festival, which is held between January 27 and 29 this year.

Inviting communication

Another one of Granstrom’s priorities is to engage citizens of the community by creating dialogue with social media. He said he is always eager to hear innovative ideas from members of the community and he is eager to see improvements.

Focusing on tourism

Rossland is known for mining, but the area is also home to a great resort.

Red Mountain Resort boasts the friendliest people, challenging ski and snowboard terrain and limited crowds. At the beginning of January, the Toronto Sun nominated Red Mountain Resort as one of the top 10 resorts in the world. Locals are anticipating big things in the mountain community and Granstrom is aware of their excitement.