The Times-Chronicle sat down (virtually) with Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen to review the past year of accomplishments and gaze into 2022 to predict what the future holds.
TC: What was your most memorable moment in 2021?
MJ: Getting my first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.
TC: What was your saddest moment?
MJ: Learning of the passing of Chris Yerburgh.
TC: Your happiest?
MJ: Being able to do some camping with family.
TC: And funniest moment?
MJ: Watching Walter the Cat steal the show in the new Chevy Silverado commercial.
TC: What was the most stressful moment for you?
MJ: Declaring a local state of emergency on July 19 due to the Nk’Mip Creek wildfire.
TC: What was the best movie or series you watched?
MJ: Spider-Man: No Way Home
TC: Best book you read?
MJ: Rez Rules by OIB Chief Clarence Louie.
TC: How has Oliver grown and become a better place to live over the past year?
MJ: When I meet new people who have moved here, the comment I hear the most often is how great the sense of community is in Oliver. Community is what makes us great and as our demographic changes with more people moving here, we need to focus on community more than ever.
TC: What needs improvement in this town?
MJ: Access to affordable housing.
TC: Have you noticed an increase or decrease in crime over the past 12 months?
MJ: The 2021 quarterly RCMP crime stats show a continued trend of decreased crime in the Oliver area. There is more work to do, however I’m happy to see we are moving in the right direction and the crime prevention initiatives of council are having a positive impact.
TC: What are your predictions for Oliver in 2022?
MJ: The trend of increased development and construction will remain strong. There are many projects just getting started and I look forward to their completion in 2022.
TC: Do you think floods and fires are the new normal in BC?
MJ: I think the trend of extreme weather events will continue to be the new normal for B.C. and being prepared to respond to these weather events will be a high priority.
TC: Do you make New Year’s resolutions or are they overrated? Do you have any?
MJ: I do not make New Year’s resolutions.
TC: Do you think COVID is going to be with us for years? Will that be a new normal too?
MJ: Yes, I don’t believe COVID is going to go away any time soon. Finding ways to live with COVID will be the key to getting back to some sense of normal in our lives.
TC: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned during the pandemic?
MJ: Expect the unexpected and being able to adapt quickly to life challenges.
TC: What top three priorities do you (and council) want to tackle in 2022?
MJ: Walkable community, downtown revitalization, safe community.
TC: Are you going to run for another term?
MJ: I’m giving this some serious consideration and will be making a decision over the next few months.
TC: What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
MJ: You only get one chance to make a first impression.
TC: What is the best advice you ever gave?
MJ: Getting an education is the best way to keep your career options open in life.
TC: Name three things you want to forget about 2021?
MJ: The pandemic, fires and floods.
TC: What can you say to cheer up people after what they experienced last year?
MJ: You’re not in this alone. Let me know what we can do to help.
