At 7:24 p.m. this evening (Nov. 7) the Scott Manjak era in the City of Cranbrook came to and with his final tap of the gavel at the centre of the council table.

The one-term, 22nd mayor in Cranbrook’s history (dating back to 1905) leaves office with a shower of accolades from city, Regional District of East Kootenay and business community peers.

Manjak is leaving office along with fellow 12-year council member Liz Schatschneider, who was first elected in 1999 along with her now close friend. She too leaves office after being celebrated by her city and RDEK peers.

In an emotional farewell, Manjak and Schatschneider praised their fellow council members and city staff.

“The city has exceptional employees and department heads,” Schatschneider said, singling out the public works department. “They keep our city running 24 hours a day.”

“I echo what Liz said,” Manjak after singing out numerous city employees for their good work.

Both council members offered high praise for city chief administrative officer Will Pearce.

“Your dedication to your staff and to the city does not go unnoticed. You serve this community very well,” Manjak said.

“Hiring Will Pearce as our CAO was the best move council made” in her dozen years on council, said Schatshcneider, who has often been called “Councillor Liz” by people seeking to avoid pronouncing her last name. “Other cities would steal him in a heartbeat. We’re just lucky he chose to live here.”

Schatschneider, with her trademark warmth and winning smile, asked Manjak if it was “too late to change our minds?” after receiving plaudits from fellow council members.

“I firmly believe we live in the best place in the world,” she said, thanking all community volunteers for their efforts. “Most things would not happen in the city without them,” she said before thanking a lengthy list of city organizations and institutions, including the fire department, library and airport.

“I’m coming out of this with a lot of good friends. This has been a big part of my life. It can also take a toll on your family and it triples when it comes to the mayor,” she said, looking at Manjak.

“Scott has proven to be an exceptional mayor,” she said, outlining his ability to forge good relationships with the RDEK, the St. Mary Indian Band and all other levels of government, as well be a leader or part of processes that resulted in much of the city’s changes over the past dozen years.

“I’ve seen firsthand Scott’s contribution to everyone of them,” she said, noting the Rec-Plex, Moir Park and plenty of other projects and initiatives.

“The changes that have happened in our city are just amazing. Nobody worked harder than Scott,” Schatschneider said, adding the outgoing mayor “has always shown integrity.”

“Well Lizzy,” Manjak began before pausing to organize his words, “Everything that Liz talked about – that was accomplished – you can’t do anything by yourself. We’ve always done things together in our community. For the last 12 years this has been our life. It does take over. In some ways you’re a bystander and a spectator as your kids grow up. It’s almost unintentional but you throw yourself into the job people have entrusted you with.”

Manjak thanked previous mayor Ross Priest for naming him to the RDEK and for his mentorship and he noted that because of it he thought he had a good handle on what it would be like to be mayor.

“Within two weeks I realized I had no idea what it was like to be mayor,” he chuckled.

Manjak said his time on the regional district was another highlight of his career, which he is leaving behind in order to move to Sparwood and begin a new chapter in life.

“You get to learn about your region,” he said, pointing out how the city’s fate is tied to the region.

“It took a lot of years to repair our relationship with the regional district,” he said, adding he is proud of the fact “our relationship with First Nations has never been stronger.”

Manjak’s fellow RDEK directors were first off the line the accolades distribution following the Nov. 4 RDEK board meeting, also Manjak’s and Schatschneider’s last.

District of Elkford Coun. Ken Wildeman, sitting at the board table in place of recently hospitalized Mayor Dean McKerracher (who has returned home to Elkford from hospital in Cranbrook), joked “There’s a lot of us politicians up in the Elk Valley who are a little concerned about you into our area.”

District of Sparwood Coun. Gayle Travis, who is also leaving office after nine years on council, agreed with her neighbour to the north. “I think that Cranbrook’s loss is definitely Sparwood’s gain.”

“He’s been a real mentor to me,” added Electoral Area director Mike Sosnowski.

(Please see our separate piece on Electoral Area C director Rob Gay’s tribute to Manjak and Schatschneider on behalf of the RDEK.)

Manjak, who has also been chair of the RDEK board, praised the regional district staff as he did Cranbrook’s – lavishly.

“From the minute I got here to this day, I have nothing but respect for Lee-Ann (chief administrative officer Crane) and the organization. It’s always felt like home to me here. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” he said, noting that Crane’s administrative leadership played a big role in that.

“Thank you for your support and for your commitment to your constituencies. In many ways we are a leader in B.C. in terms of rural areas,” he said, explaining that the large regional district is a model of consistency and cohesiveness, when compared to other regions in the province.

City council members all took turns wishing Manjak and Schatschneider well and farewell.

“The community owes them a great thanks for their 12 years of service. You’ve been involved with major changes and caused major changes,” said Coun. Angus Davis.

Coun. Bob Whetham offered his “best of wishes. The community fully appreciates the effort you’ve put into the office.”

Coun. Denise Pallesen faltered for words. “I don’t know what to say,” she said before rising to her feet and clapping.

“Twelve years eh?” Jabbed 21 year council veteran, Coun. Jim Wavrecan. “I can honestly say without a doubt, with the two of you at the table, that the discussions have been in the best interests of the community. You’ve set the bar high.”

Coun. Diana J Scott said she has learned a great deal from both of them.

“I ran because I liked the direction the old council was taking. You’ll be missed at the table,” she said.

Manjak saved his closest for last, thanking his wife Raeleen “for all her enduring support. It’s our spouses and families that watch the toll it (public life) takes,” he said, explaining, “Folks take liberties and attack the individual instead of the issue. At the end of the day, we’re all human. I’ve tried to do the best I can do.”

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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