The longest serving local politician in the history of the East Kootenay and one of the longest in B.C.’s history died Sunday in Kimberley.

Former long-time City of Kimberley mayor and Regional District of East Kootenay director Jim Ogilvie died August 24, a little over two weeks after the city honoured him by naming a connector road between Kimberley and Marysville in his honour (Jim Ogilvie Way).

Prior to the 2011 municipal election, Ogilvie had served the city as a councilor or mayor for all but three years since 1964. He was defeated by current Mayor Ron McRae in the 2011 mayoral race.

“Mr. Ogilvie has been instrumental in guiding Kimberley toward economic independence and continued prosperity, with a sought-after lifestyle, rich with recreational opportunities, beautiful scenery and a healthy, safe environment. Mr. Ogilvie has influenced the lives – in a positive way – of everyone lucky enough to call Kimberley home,” noted the provincial government in 2012 when he was presented with the Order of B.C.

During 43 years of service to the community, Ogilvie’s leadership was instrumental in shaping the future of Kimberley, a city press release issued early this afternoon noted.

Ogilvie’s finger prints were all over the amalgamation of Marysville, Chapman Camp and Kimberley; the transformation into the ‘Bavarian City of the Rockies’; the purchase of the Kimberley Ski Resort, the development of Trickle Creek Golf Resort, and the sale of the ski hill and golf course to Resorts of the Canadian Rockies; the development of the Bootleg Gap Golf Course; the creation of Rails to Trails; the development of the Kimberley Conference and Athlete Training Centre, and countless other projects.

“It is with deep regret that I report the passing of former mayor Jim Ogilvie last night.  On behalf of myself and council I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the Ogilvie family at this time of mourning. Jim genuinely loved the City of Kimberley. His vision of transforming Kimberley from a resource-town preparing for a mine closure to a lifestyle-centred resort destination has kept Kimberley vital for future generations. A few weeks ago, it was our great privilege to honour Jim by renaming the major thoroughfare between Kimberley and Marysville as Jim Ogilvie Way,” stated Mayor Ron McRae said.

As a result of his long and distinguished career in public service, Ogilvie received many honours and awards including the Long Service Award in 1990 for 25 years of service in local government and the Special Recognition of Long Service Award in 2011 for over 35 years of service from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). Ogilvie was also awarded a Life Membership in the UBCM in 1980 and a Life Membership in the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG) in 1975. Ogilvie served on the UBCM executive as Honorary Treasurer, First Vice-President and President and on the AKBLG executive as Vice-President, President, and Past-President.

Ogilvie served as chair of numerous boards, committees and commissions: the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK); the East Kootenay Hospital District; the Ktunaxa-Kinbasket Treaty Advisory Committee; the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee; the Kootenay-Boundary Regional Task Force on the Economy and Sustainability; the Kootenay Boundary Regional Natural Resources Task Force; and the AKBLG Pollution Committee.  Ogilvie also served as a board member of the Kimberley Bavarian Society Chamber of Commerce, the Bootleg Gap Golf Society and the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia.

Ogilvie was the owner and manager of Alpine Communications from 1972-2006.  He was presented the Gordon Wilder Memorial Award in 2001 by the Rocky Mountain Tourism Association for his major contributions to tourism in the Kootenays.  Kootenay Business Magazine named Jim Ogilvie one of the top ten business people in the Kootenay Region in 2001 and again in 2011.

Flags at Kimberley’s municipal buildings have been lowered to half-mast in honour of Jim Ogilvie’s contributions to the City of Kimberley.

For more on Jim Ogilvie or try this site.

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