JOHNSON

Fife’s new mayor sets goals for parks, roads

By Meghan Erkkinen

Fife’s newest mayor has a vision for the city: he would like to see a Fife that is livable and walkable, with parks and trails. He would like to see a Fife with a library and more residences. And he would like to see a Fife with a lot less traffic congestion.

“I think we’re in danger of losing our community,” said Mayor Barry Johnson, who was sworn in at the beginning of the year.

Many of Johnson’s goals include continuing projects and goals he and the city council have been working on.

“I think the council has gone in a positive direction for the city and I certainly want to continue that,” he said. “I’ve got big shoes to fill following (former Mayor) Mike Kelley.”

Following a stint on the city planning commission, Johnson joined the council 12 years ago after beating his opponent by only 14 votes.

“When I first got involved, I think the city had a quarter acre of parks, and there hadn’t been a house built in Fife in years,” he said. “I was and always have been a big proponent of parks and a walkable city.”

Since Johnson joined the council, he said he has seen a lot of change in those aspects. He takes personal pride in being a voice for the shift to residential development within the city, and for being a part of the acquisition of the land for Dacca Park and Columbia Junior High School.

He credits the positive changes in the community to teamwork.

Johnson said he has been toying with the idea of being mayor for some time.

“I think I’ve always kind of aspired to do it. I just have always wrestled with family and personal issues – to do it, to do it right,” said Johnson, who has a wife and an 8-year-old daughter. After Councilmember Kory Edwards’ resignation, he said he decided to take a leap.

“I just felt it was time with my experience on the council to step up,” he said.

Johnson said he hopes to continue working on the city’s transportation issues. He said he would like to keep the momentum going on the State Route 167 project, and if that falls through, the city needs to work to get an additional Interstate 5 on-ramp at 70th Street.

He said he would also like to address storm water issues. In its 2008 goals, the council pledged to take a holistic look at the issue. Johnson said he supports the council’s goal, and would also like to consider regional solutions to the problem. He said the city should focus on purchasing additional open space to accommodate storm water.

The new mayor said he also plans to continue his work to develop a vibrant parks system in the city.

His final goal is for the city to address the need for library services, whether by joining the Pierce County system or by doing something in Fife alone. His vision is to incorporate a library with the community center to make a place for children and teens to hang out after school.

Johnson, a Minnesota native, came to Fife in 1994. Although he sees himself as a relative newcomer to the area, he said his background fits the area.

“I’ve always kind of described myself as someone with a Northwest background,” said Johnson, who has worked in forestry, importing and exporting, and transportation. “That gives me a pretty good perspective of economic influences in our area.”

Johnson graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in forest resource management. He now works as a claims supervisor at the Fireman’s Fund in Seattle.

Johnson said his transition into his new position as mayor has been going fairly smoothly, and he attributes that to the stability in the city.

“It’s certainly a challenging position, and even more so following in the footsteps of Mike Kelley,” Johnson said. “I’ve got a really strong council behind me and I think with the group we have in place you can expect to see wonderful things from the council in the next four years.”

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