A sense of civic pride

Mayor Dieter Bogs touts the accomplishments of his city—including the businesses and people who work to make it better

Mayor Dieter Bogs believes the fortunes of Trail are connected to the Teck smelter, seen in the background. — Photo by Tanya Laing Gahr

The fortunes of Trail are so connected to those of the Teck Metals Inc. smelter as to be almost inseparable. So when “the number 1 taxpayer” announced that it was running at full steam and hiring at least 140 new people in the next year, Mayor Dieter Bogs said the news couldn’t be better for the community. As well, larger projects such as the expansion of the Waneta Dam and the growth of local companies such as Firebird Technologies Inc. will draw investment and people to the region.

 Bogs praised projects such as the Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) business incubators (see page K5) that will help support emerging high-tech businesses in the city.
“Our city, from a high-tech perspective, is ahead of any city our size,” said Bogs.

While technical improvements are high on Bogs’s list of priorities, he is also a strong supporter of inter-community co-operation. His advocacy for the newly formed Lower Columbia Community Development Team (LCCDT)—and the success of those relationships—is evidence of that.

“We have three mayors that meet regularly and we’ve worked on several projects together,” said Bogs. “If the leaders show some leadership, then the people start to follow … It starts slowly with people talking positively about each community.”

Talking positively about his own community is one of the strengths that Bogs has brought to his position over the last five terms. When the city was slammed by travel publications in the late ’90s, the people of Trail were very hurt, especially because of the strong civic pride. But Bogs encouraged people not to take the criticism lying down. They took it upon themselves to embrace the Communities in Bloom program, winning several national awards.

“I think the image committee, the promotions committee, leadership from council and the businesses and industry slowly changed the drive and the enthusiasm,” said Bogs. “Don’t forget—this was always a very proud community. Never forget that.”