On Monday, Mayor Ed Anderson, after nearly 30 years in the chair and 37 on Town of Boissevain Council, tendered his resignation. It was a day everyone knew would happen eventually, but still had an element of shock and surprise.

On the decision, Anderson spoke plainly about the move.

“I have been on this council a long time,” Anderson said in the Council Chambers on Monday. “I came in as a councillor, then moved on to mayor. I have really enjoyed this mayor thing; it has really been a nice experience. On the other hand, I am happy to move on to other things.”

Anderson’s beginnings were in MacGregor. After finishing school, he joined the RCAF to get his education in electrical engineering. After that, he started a thirty-four year career at Manitoba Telephone Service, where he eventually moved to Boissevain. After a few years in town, he became involved in civic politics.

According to Beckoning Hills Revisited, Anderson became a councillor in 1980, part of a seat change in Council at the time. Asked about his drive to get on Council, Anderson said it was pretty basic.

“I guess there was an opening coming up. I thought ‘I think I can do that.’ I was with really good people. Jack Houston was a councillor who became mayor and on Council there was Miles Phillips, John Kowalenko, Dave Didluck, who all came on then or around that time.”

After about nine years on Council, he was tapped for the mayor’s chair when Houston moved on. He said the town is very different since that time.

“I think everything changed an awful lot, especially on main street,” he said. “Boissevain has changed a lot in that time and Boissevain certainly will continue to go ahead now.”

During Anderson’s tenure, a great deal has developed in the community. One of the big ones everyone remembers, and one that Anderson was deeply involved in, was beautification and the Communities in Bloom competition. Boissevain became involved to help build pride in itself, and to present its best face to the world. No one could have predicted how successful the community has been in CIB, winning multiple championships, including a few at the highest international level. This development obviously makes Anderson very proud.

“Every year we seem to win at some level. It has really helped Boissevain get along. People are coming here from miles away. We have this beautiful main street, and people feel Boissevain is a major attraction in this part of the province.”

“We are well known for this, not just in Manitoba, but in Canada and around the world.”

Another highlight is recruiting Dr. Meyer Nell to return to Boissevain and stay in 1998. It took a while, with many hurdles and overseas phone calls, to get the well-loved physician to town, but Anderson said it was worth it.

“It didn’t come easy,” Anderson explained. “One morning my phone rang at 4 o’clock in the morning and I said hello. He said ‘I’m coming to Boissevain.’ It was really a major attraction to get a doctor of his qualifications. The whole community has benefitted from that.”

There have also been many major capital projects done during his time. He took a big role in developing the vet clinic and recruiting Drs. Jeff Gervin and Haley Adams to the community. About fifty lots have been created for building in the new development. There is a new water plant, medical clinic, town shop/fire hall among others. Anderson said other people must also take credit for these developments, but Boissevain and Morton have truly done well with them.

Anderson enjoyed dealing with other politicians as well.

“I enjoy talking to people when they come out here. We have done really well here, whether it was with Premier Doer or others. We have done really well getting to know these politicians, provincially or federally. I have always gotten along well with the federal MP’s, or provincial MLA’s. Those (ties) are important.”

As well, he enjoyed working with all of the councillors over the years. His last term has been the first of an amalgamated municipality, with Boissevain and Morton becoming one. He feels it has worked out quite well and feels there was merit to the merger idea.

“I think it was a really good move,” he explained. “It was good to get together. It enables them to work closely together and for each jurisdiction to know what the other is doing. We always got along well together, the R.M. and Boissevain and they will continue to get along.”

He feels he is leaving Council in good hands with the group that is there now. In fact, he enjoyed working with all councillors over the years. Anderson also feels the future looks bright in civic politics.

“I’m sure there are people out there who will move into the role. It might not come right away, but I’m sure there will be really good young people around who will do a good job on Council and as mayor. I think it is always a good move to have change with more young people. You get young people and then they bring in more young people.”

Anderson also praised the municipal staff over the years, pointing out that a new generation has taken on the reigns in the office and they are very good.

What does he plan to do with his future? Anderson will be staying on a few committees that are close to his heart, like beautification and the vet board. Also, he has his other interests.

“I’ve got some pretty good cattle out there,” Anderson said. “I’m not going anywhere for sure. I’m here and you’re stuck with me.”

Anderson said he is ready to move on. Council was to decide how they would deal with replacing him at their Thursday meeting. As for his long term as mayor and what kept him motivated, he explained it in simple terms.

“I guess you feel you have a lot to offer. When you feel that way, I think you can do a good job, a fairly good job. And I feel I’ve done that.”

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff