Mayor and Council
Your Mayor and City Council are proud to serve the City of Armstrong, and stand ready to support all residents, businesses, and visitors. With key responsibility for local services, city streets, and recreational facilities, Council is committed to ensuring prosperity and growth for all.
Elected in 2022, Armstrong residents are represented by six Councilors and Mayor Joe Cramer.
Strategic Plan
Council has identified five strategic focus areas for the 2022-2026 term of office. These are areas Council considers key priorities for the near and longer term. The strategic focus areas service to focus operations on the outcomes aligned with the Corporation’s vision and mission. The strategic focus areas, goals and strategic actions will guide the work of Council and staff throughout the term and beyond.
The City of Armstrong’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2026 outlines our vison for the future of our community and sets out a roadmap for achieving our goals.
Over the next several years, we will focus on several key areas, including Community Wellbeing, Community Engagement, Environmental Stewardship, Asset Management, and Organizational Resilience and Sustainability. We believe that by investing in these areas, we can continue to build a prosperous, vibrant, and livable city for everyone.
Along with focusing on these key strategic areas we will continue to deliver our core services such as fire protection, public works, parks and recreation, and community services.
Meet yOUR cOUNCIL
Mayor Joe Cramer
Although Mayor Cramer considers himself to be relatively new to Armstrong, he has quickly grown fond of Armstrong considering it “the place to be.” Three generations of the Cramer’s now happily call Armstrong home.
Mayor Cramer is retired after a lengthy career as a Paramedic with the BC Ambulance Service. During his career he served in many leadership roles which provide him a unique dedication and perspective chiseled out of helping people in their time of need.
As a motivated leader with a solid history of achievement, Mayor Cramer intends to continue advancing Armstrong interests and livability.
Contact Mayor Cramer:
Phone: (250) 241-3023
Councillor Shirley Fowler
Councillor Fowler has served on Council for more than 17 years and has lived in Armstrong since 1965. Recently she celebrated her 50th Anniversary with her husband, dog, children, and her grandchildren. Four generations of Fowlers have attended the Armstrong Elementary School.
Councillor Fowler devotes her time giving back to the community she has loved for half a century. Councillor Fowler exemplifies community spirit as a volunteer for many local organizations including roles with Life Member of the IPE, Chair of the Armstrong Communities in Bloom (CiB) program, Volunteer of the Year at BC Fairs, Treasurer and Past Provincial Judge at BC CiB, two-time recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, following Rotary motto of “Service Above Self”.
Contact Councillor Fowler:
Phone: (250) 546-3732
Councillor Steven Drapala
In his third term on Council, Councillor Drapala provides our community with the perspectives of young families and professionals. With degrees in Biology and Education, Steven continues to shape the future with his work as Principal at Pleasant Valley Secondary School.
In addition to education, Councilor Drapala is passionate about the environment and ensuring sustainable development using data-based decision making. Councillor Drapala originally moved to Armstrong as a young boy. Later in life he travelled to Edmonton and Victoria for his education, but his love for our close-knit, inclusive, and safe community brought him back.
Councillor Ryan Nitchie
Councillor Nitchie is no stranger to Armstrong City Council as he previously served from 1996-2014 as youngest elected official in Armstrong and in the Province of BC at the time. Councillor Nitchie has dedicated his career to local government with more than 26 years of experience in both elected and staff positions. Since resigning from his position on Council in 2014 to focus on his career, Councillor Nitchie admits he has missed serving the citizens of Armstrong. Born and raised in Armstrong and a graduate of Pleasant Valley Secondary School.
Councillor Nitchie hopes to be a leader in our community and serve the residents of his hometown authentically and respectfully. He is committed to making informed decisions by thoroughly reviewing staff and professional reports, listening to local concerns and discussing the issues with Council to make decisions.
Beyond his career and commitments to Council, Councillor Nitchie is a husband and father to two girls. You may also recognize Councillor Nitchie as the Head Coach or Assistant Head Coach of the Armstrong Shamrocks Lacrosse Team.
Councillor Jessie Valstar
Councillor Valstar moved to Armstrong in 2006 and is a graduate of Pleasant Valley Secondary School. After high school, he worked at Askew’s Foods where he quickly got to know the many faces that make up this lovely community. Councillor Valstar has no shortage of community spirit as he is a local entrepreneur as a Master Electrician.
Not only does Councillor Valstar work here in Armstrong, but he also lives and plays here as a husband and father to three boys. Councillor Valstar is best known for his passion of music as he is a bass player in his band the Odinfist and the Event Founder/General Manager for Armstrong Metalfest as well as the Co-Chair of the Western Canadian Metal Festival Alliance.
Councillor Valstar plans to spend the next four years learning and listening to citizens to best serve his community.
Councillor Mark Wehner
Born and raised in Armstrong, Councillor Wehner has called this community home for more than 40 years. He and his wife have two teenage children who attend school in Armstrong.
For the past 19 years, Councillor Wehner has worked as a Computer Network Technician for School District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap). Councillor Wehner also served as a member of the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department for 16 years.
When Councillor Wehner is not serving his community on Council or at work, he is commonly found outside enjoying the outdoors with his family in Armstrong. If you see him out in the community, make sure to wave and say hello.
Contact Councillor Wehner:
Phone: (250) 546-0500
Councillor Neil Todd
Although Councillor Todd is in his first term on council, he and his wife Carolyn have been a fixture in Armstrong for almost 25 years as the owners and operators of the infamous Brown Derby Café.
Councillor Todd intends to continue to serve his community albeit in a different manner than previous. Councillor Todd has local roots dating back to the start of the previous century. He was a director of the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club, and is long time member of the Chamber of Commerce. He hopes to continue to preserve Armstrong’s history and is excited and honoured to have been elected.
Contact Councillor Todd:
Phone: (250) 241-8221
