Dwayne Lindstrom has been the mayor of Fraser Lake for 10 years and still feels he has a lot to offer.
He has thrown his hat in the ring for the position again and hopes he will get to see the village flourish under his leadership. “There are a few things, I haven’t finished yet that I want to see through,” he says. “We’ve got a community forest that I’ve been working on for a few years that we’re pretty close on, and I want to keep it chugging along.”
The incumbent mayor is semi-retired but spent the majority of his career in the forestry industry. He now owns some rental properties in town but his calling as mayor has been the number one priority.
“I have the time to put the energy into the job and I’ve been involved in a lot of things,” he says.
“I worked on park services, the arena, the water treatment plant, the skateboard park, the walking trails, soccer fields and some huge waterfront developments like the campsites at White Swan Park.”
Lindstrom also points to a community transportation initiative he has spearheaded.
“The bus thing is finally happening,” he says, “And it’s been working out pretty well. Our seniors ride for free and if it’s on the road, anyone can get on it.”
The improvements to the air strip, which helped firefighters this summer, is also a feather in his cap he would like to acknowledge.
“There was a 4,000-foot paved strip, so we secured that with a good fence and gates. Throughout the summer we’ve had it used a whole lot by helicopters and firefighting equipment, so I’m happy I was involved in securing that,” he says.
Health care has been a vital mandate for Lindstrom over the years too.
“We now have three and a half doctors,” he says. “I sit on the Stuart Nechako Hospital Board, so I’m quite involved with the different hospitals in the area. [Fraser Lake] is getting a huge renovation and upgrade to our clinic in a year or two as well, which will improve its standing as one of the better clinics in the area.”
Like many, the current mayor is concerned about the aging population getting proper care in their retirement years.
“We have a lot of seniors in town that want to stay in town, so I’d like to work towards a new seniors development,” he says, adding: “I’d like to keep our seniors at home. They’ve paid their dues, so it’s time we look after them.”
One of the latest projects he says he’s proud of is getting potable water in Park Drive Residences. “I’ve been trying to get proper potable water down there and there’s always been a stumbling block in the way and we finally got it happening, so hopefully we get it finished before it freezes up or if not, then spring for sure.”
Lindstrom says he loves being involved with local politics and wouldn’t dream of taking part in them anywhere but Fraser Lake.
“I’ve been here since 1956 and am a part of the dirt almost,” he jokes. “My wife and I have three children who all grew up and went to school “My wife and I have three children who all grew up here.”
“I’ve found that municipal politics lay for the ground work for everything that happens across the province because the people involved really care.
“Sometimes it’s a stepping stone for people to move into provincial or even federal politics, but in my case, I’m happy where I’m at.”
newsroom@ominecaexpress.com
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