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An interview with Bob Campsall
Pleasures of making a difference
By Bob Ede / Photos by Lisa Ede
It was a blustery November day that Bob Campsall and I sat down for a chat at Eagle Ranch. The Invemere municipal election was in the books with a new council elected. For the first time in 15 years, Mr. Campsall, having decided not to run for re-election, would not be part of the new council.
While talking, it was apparent the respect Mr. Campsall has for the people he worked with over the years and the residents he served. He served with five councils and along-side three mayors. Mr. Campsall talked of not always seeing eye to eye with everybody he worked with, but it was often a case of differing ideologies and never a personal issue.
It is hard to find anyone who has worked closely with Mr. Campsall who doesn’t hold him in the highest regard, again, sometimes despite differing ideologies.
Mr. Campsall has been in the forefront of the Jumbo Resort debate since the beginning. He is passionate about saving Jumbo from resort development.
It was his concern for environmental issues that first inspired him to become involved in local politics. He, along with good friend, Ian Jack discussed ways of ‘making a difference,’ in the area they loved. The late, Mr. Jack was instrumental in preserving the Columbia wetlands from further destruction.
Mr. Campsall followed the lead of another good friend and teaching colleague, the late, George Eacrett who served numerous years on Invermere town council.
It was apparent the difference these men made to the history of the Columbia Valley. They left it a better place. It was Mr. Campsall’s desire to do the same.
Mr. Campsall and I have had many talks over the years. Some, concerning development, have been stormy; similar to the November skies we shared that afternoon. I reminded Mr. Campsall of our very first meeting.
I was a young Grade 5 student prone to mischief, and he was the new principal at Invermere Elementary School. This was almost 40 years ago. I had been caught throwing crabapples at passing cars and sent to the principal’s office. The new principal was Mr. Campsall and I was scared. I can’t remember what was said, but I do remember leaving the office as friends.
That’s the way it is with Bob.
After 15 years on Invermere council, Mr. Campsall decided it was time for some new blood on council. Residents will dearly miss his wisdom and energy on council. I bet, however, Mr. Campsall, will continue to be involved making a difference in the place he so dearly loves.
Below is part of our discussion.
BE: Invermere’s municipal election is now in the books. What was it like not having your name on the ballot?
Bob Campsall: At first it seemed strange to be stepping back instead of stepping forward, but I had decided some time ago that my time on council was up. It was time for new blood on council, new energy, new ideas, and new enthusiasm. And I decided that I was ready for new things in my own life. In short – I did my time; it was time for someone new to step forward.
BE: Did you stay up late waiting to hear the election results or did you go to bed, sleep soundly and awake confident in the sound judgment of Invermere voters?
Bob Campsall: Actually, we did stay up to hear the election results, because we were unsure as to how they would turn out. However, there were so many good candidates that we were not worried about the outcome. As things turned out, we slept well after the results came in.
BE: Recently, newly elected Councilor Paul Denchuk was asked about voter decision in Invermere’s election. He is quoted in a local newspaper; “I think they were responding to the last boom that we had. Even though we’re in a downturn in the economy, I think people didn’t like what happened during the boom. They didn’t like the development that they saw, it wasn’t well thought out.”
Mr. Denchuk’s sentiment certainly crossed my mind when I went to the polls. Invermere residents have been stuck looking at several unfinished developments. Further, several other developments have not delivered as promised. Some of these developments council supported even in the face of resident opposition. Do you believe, as Denchuk suggests, that the new council, described by many as being ‘green’, is a backlash against the ‘green stamp’ councils of the early and mid-2000s?
Bob Campsall: Not really. I think that we have elected a thoughtful, fairly middle- of-the-road council that will consider each decision carefully and responsibly. I found my first term on council to be quite a learning experience, and that most decisions are not as simple as they appeared. After all, little Invermere doesn’t control the economy: we didn’t create the ‘Boom Time’ nor did we cause the recession. Our jurisdiction is tiny in area, being surrounded as we are by several other jurisdictions; we find ourselves more often responding than creating or innovating. I hope that our new council will be ‘green,’ whenever being green is possible and responsible.
BE: Invermere council has three new members, Greg Anderson, Justin Atterbury, and Paul Denchuk. Do you have any advice that may ease them into their new positions and prepare them for what they are about to experience?
Bob Campsall: I have two guiding principles that I would be pleased to pass along to anyone who will listen: 1. There are two sides to every debate, so listen carefully to both before acting on either, and 2. Think always to the long – term future, because ‘the long term costs of bad decisions are seldom borne by those who made them.’
BE: Gerry Taft won the mayoralty race confidently. At 29 he is a second term elected mayor and entering his fourth term on council. This term he is the veteran on council. In the past, he had Mark Shmigelsky (former mayor) or yourself as mentors. How do you think he will handle his senior status?
Bob Campsall: Gerry Taft has been an excellent mayor. I have been repeatedly amazed by his ability to learn and adapt, his leadership skills, and his big-picture, long-term awareness. His maturity far exceeds his years, and I know that he will continue to do an outstanding job as our mayor.
BE: The area continues to lure new businesses and business people to the valley. Personally, I have been fortunate to sell two businesses to newcomers to the valley. I also know of many others who own businesses in the valley, but live elsewhere. Without exception, they are model corporate citizens and great neighbors.
I have noticed that the majority of incoming business people are pro-Jumbo. To somebody new to the area, especially somebody lured by commerce, it is only logical to believe if one, two, or three mountain resorts were good for business than four, five or six would be terrific. How do you, as someone opposed to the Jumbo Resort development, persuade new residents and businesspeople that Jumbo is worth preserving in its natural state?
Bob Campsall: Your observation is possibly accurate in that people new to the valley often wonder why so many ‘locals’ don’t support the proposed mega-resort/real estate development in our backcountry. However, one trip to the Jumbo area, and a short primer, re the economic feasibility (or lack thereof), the environmental threats it poses (especially to the future of grizzly bears) and the potential it has to become a huge drain on the not-so-deep pockets of B.C. taxpayers often changes their minds. As for us locals, the destruction of our publicly owned backcountry for profit simply goes against our values.
BE: The Jumbo debate continues to rage. Do you believe the BC Liberal government will render a decision before the next provincial election? If so, would you like to fathom a guess on what that decision will be?
Bob Campsall: Making a decision on Jumbo will be very difficult for the current government, but I believe it will happen before the next election. I also believe that the jumbo proposal will be rejected. No matter how you look at it, the Jumbo proposal is a project that might have been acceptable in the last century: a yesterday’s project being pushed forward by yesterday’s men. However, the world has changed dramatically since the last century. Climate change, economics, demographics, growing environmental concern, among other factors, have eliminated any possibility that any responsible government would support such a proposal in today’s world.
BE: I hate to tell you this, Bob, but you could be considered an ‘elder’. It is a good thing. Your work within the community has been invaluable. I was wondering if you have any new plans to share your knowledge and love of the area with the residents of the valley?
Bob Campsall: Being a relatively healthy ‘elder’ is a wonderful achievement, and I am looking forward to enjoying my senior years as fully as possible. I don’t mind a bit leaving the public forum in younger and (hopefully) more capable hands. My sincere thanks to all who supported me in the past, and my very best wishes to our new generation of leaders.
BE: Invermere is a wonderful place to live. It always has been and hopefully we will have the sense to keep it that way. During your time on council, Invermere has improved in many ways with hiking trails and walkways being established. Do you have any projects that you are ‘most’ proud of?
Bob Campsall: I have received far more positives than negatives about what a great place Invermere is to live in. I think that the greatest contribution past councils have made consists not of a single project, but rather giving ongoing attention to the quality of life that our citizens enjoy now and in the future.
BE: Thanks for doing this. Your experience and wisdom will be truly missed in the District of Invermere council chambers. Do you have any other thoughts you would like to add?
Bob Campsall: Nothing more to say, Bob.
Bob Ede is proud to be a local yokel. He spends his time cruising the backroads with a blind Terrier and a yappy Wire-haired Dachshund riding shotgun. He can be reached at: [email protected]
