Columbia Valley Pioneer - June 20, 2008

Gerry Taft first candidate to declare for mayor


By Alex Cooper
Pioneer Staff

Gerry Taft is the first person to throw his hat into the ring as a candidate for mayor of Invermere.

Invermere’s youngest councillor ever announced last week that he is running to succeed current mayor Mark Shmigelsky.

“I feel honoured to put my name forward for this important position,” he said in a press release
he prepared himself. “The potential and opportunity to maintain and enhance Invermere and this region are so exciting and motivating it makes this difficult decision possible.”

Mr. Taft was first elected councillor at the tender age of 20 and has served for two terms. At 26, he would be Invermere’s youngest mayor, if elected.

He said his age shouldn’t be an issue.

“Some people may view it in a negative sense,” he said. “I think the fact that I’ve served two terms on council and that I’m born and raised in the community and know most of the issues and people here will remove a lot of those concerns.”

As councillor, Mr. Taft chairs the Development Services Committee and serves on the Corporate Services and Operational Services committees.

As chair of the Development committee, he has been at the centre of some controversial development issues, such as the Pointe of View condominiums in Athalmer and the downtown Vista del Lago condominium project next to the arena that has yet to begin construction.

“Some of the projects that previous councils have approved were good projects and will have a place in making Invermere even better,” he said. “We’re reaching a point where in the future we’ll end up approving projects that benefit the community a great deal. We’re in a position where we can pick and choose the best of the best and we don’t have to accept or approve everything that comes before us.”

Development outside Invermere is also a concern for him.

“A lot of it has proceeded without any planning or with very little public attention and yet, arguably, it has as much or a greater impact than developments within Invermere,” he said.

He added that he agrees with the concept of expanding the boundaries of Invermere.

“I would really like to see Invermere and Windermere and the areas between cooperate more and see if there’s any potential for sharing resources or even combining,” he said. “Any kind of cooperation would have to ensure that it’s fair for everyone and every property owner involved.”

In addition to his duties as councillor, Mr. Taft also owns Gerry’s Gelati in downtown Invermere,
which he opened in 2004.

“Small business and politics are both very demanding but there is some connection between the
two in that I am very accessible,” he said. “In no way am I going to be in an ivory tower somewhere. I’m very much interacting with residents of all ages on a daily basis.”

Mr. Taft was born and raised in Invermere. He graduated from David Thompson Secondary School in 2000 and obtained a diploma in hotel and resort management from University College of the Cariboo in 2002.

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