BANFF – Banff town Councillor Chip Olver – the longest serving councillor in Banff’s history – has been honoured for 25 years of service in municipal politics.
Elected in an April 1994 byelection, Olver recently received the distinguished service award from the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) for her 25 years of public service on Banff town council.
“My heart swelled,” she said. “I just felt so honoured.”
Olver was presented the award by Barry Morishita, AUMA board chair and president, at a ceremony Sept. 25 in Edmonton at the AUMA’s annual convention. Her council colleagues nominated her.
Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen said it is very rare to have someone serve as a municipal councillor for more than 20 years.
“We’re lucky to have someone like Chip at the table, who comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge about our community,” said the mayor in a statement.
“Banff is fortunate to have a representative like Chip who deeply cares about our environment, sustainability, and the health and happiness of residents.”
Olver said she still has plenty more to do and plans to run in the next municipal election in October 2021.
“That’s my plan at this point,” she said, noting congestion and increasing visitation are likely to be the big issues in Banff’s next community plan.
“There’s always more to do and I think that’s why council is so interesting. It’s never done.”
Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Olver first came to Banff in 1977 to stay for a summer, which turned into a winter and another summer. She went back to Ontario to complete a degree at McMaster University before returning to Banff as a computer programmer for CHM.
Olver is the only member of council who has worked with every mayor the Town of Banff has ever had – Banff’s first mayor Leslie Taylor, and then Ted Hart, Dennis Shuler, John Stutz and Sorensen.
In her 25 years, she’s served on virtually every municipal committee and board, and has helped shape the community through almost all council initiatives since the Town was incorporated in 1990.
In addition, Olver has also served on the AUMA’s committee for increasing women’s participation in municipal government, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities executive committee.
Olver said her time on Banff town council has been very rewarding.
She said she’s proud to have been involved in two community plans, which are guiding documents for the community, as well as several environmental initiatives.
“What is fabulous is our environmental reserve,” she said, noting the environmental reserve is replenished with Fortis franchise fees at a rate of $212,000 per year.
“That’s our enabling fund that allows us to do solar panels, low-flush appliance support, fruit-bearing tree replacement programs, energy efficient street lights. It’s fabulous to have this.”
One of Olver’s proudest achievements is getting a crosswalk by the Valleyview neighbourhood after a child was struck by a vehicle on the busy road – the thoroughfare up to tourist hot spots on Sulphur Mountain.
“One person can champion and speak in favour of something, but there has to be majority support and I was thankful for council support,” she said.
Olver said she is also proud to be part of team that has put Banff on strong financial footing, including the strength of the municipality’s capital reserves, and the fact that the budget process is open and transparent.
“When I started it was all done behind closed doors,” she said.
Housing and environmental issues continue to be at the top of her agenda.
“Things keep moving forward, but there’s still more to be done,” she said.
In 2017, Olver was elected to her eighth term in office with 920 votes. In the 2013 election, she secured 930 votes.
“I can’t do anything without the support of council, but it’s really all because of the support of the community,” she said. “I wouldn’t be there each time without the support of the community.”
