The West Shore Local Hero Awards are back! You can find this year’s special feature in the March 22 edition of the Goldstream Gazette or online under e-editions. Stay tuned for more on each of this year’s honourees, you will be able to read their stories online at goldstreamgazette.com.
After 50 years working as a union representative and politician, former Metchosin Mayor John Ranns is reveling in his newfound freedom.
“I’m doing better than you can imagine,” he said. “I spent my life solving other people’s problems - now I don’t have to. I’m realizing how nice it is.”
Now, instead of sitting in meetings, Ranns spends his time catching up on farm work and playing hockey (his team is currently in playoff mode, though he stuck with his white hair rather than opting for the superstition-fuelled bleach-blonde look).
Ranns first won election in 1987, taking on the position of alderman and would go on to serve on council for 35 years, including eight terms as mayor.
Speaking before that election with the Goldstream Gazette in 1987, Ranns said he decided to run because he wanted to ensure there was someone on council “committed to Metchosin’s rural lifestyle.” Nearly four decades later, Metchosin is still rural and Ranns is able to reap the seeds he’s sewn (he said he had the help of a number of committed councillors and district staff along the way).
Ranns said he had no illusions of creating a legacy for himself when he first became mayor. Now with his time in office done, he says the old politicians are quickly forgotten and just useful as someone to blame.
“I never thought of myself as a hero and I can’t sing,” he laughed, referencing his award win in the “Unsung Hero,” category.
Scia’new First Nation Chief Russ Chipps credits Ranns, as well as former Langford Mayor Stew Young, with sharing their experience with him and accepting him as an equal.
”Learning together on how to work for the community was awesome – awesome people. They are missed by me. I miss them.”
The trio formed a close working relationship. Ranns says the friendship formed with Scia’new First Nation and Chipps was a highlight and says Young, perhaps ironically, was one of his staunchest allies in keeping Metchosin rural. While there were challenges to keeping Metchosin that way – Ranns cited the 2017 land swap between Langford, Scia’new First Nation and Metchosin as pivotal – he’s glad for it and thinks Greater Victoria is better off for it.
While he said the work was rewarding he doesn’t miss it – although he does miss working with the team of people at the district.
“I always felt privileged to be in a position where I could have an impact on achieving what the people here wanted, and a bonus along the way was being able to help out individuals. If you could make somebody’s life a little easier, I always felt really good about that.”
READ MORE: 2023 Local Hero Awards
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bailey.moreton@goldstreamgazette.com
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