Battle Ground Mayor Philip Johnson didn’t have to go far to accept one of five awards given out at the Greater Vancouver Chamber’s annual ceremony.
This year, the chamber’s Business & Leadership Awards were hosted at the Battle Ground Community Center. The chamber covers businesses in Vancouver and beyond, with Battle Ground joining when its old chamber folded into the GVC in 2018.
This year, the city’s mayor was nominated alongside U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for “statesperson of the year.” The award is given to currently elected positions in Clark County “who represent the interest of business along with their overall community priorities and responsibilities,” according to the GVC website.
Originally from North Carolina, Johnson said the 19 years he’s lived in Battle Ground is the longest he’s stayed put anywhere. He makes a point to talk to every business owner in the city, he said as part of a video played to announce the award winners.
“These people are important. They stake their life on their businesses,” Johnson said.
In the communities he has lived with a strong chamber of commerce presence, “You can see it in the health of the businesses,” Johnson said.
During his award speech, Johnson spoke briefly on the nature of politics.
“When you do this work, 49% of people vote against you, call you a bum. Fifty-one percent of people call you a bum with promise and they vote for you, and I hope that I’ve met that promise,” Johnson said.
Johnson thanked the Battle Ground citizens and his wife, who he called his “immediate supervisor.”
“It is a pleasure to serve this community, and I wish all of you the best,” Johnson said.
After receiving the award, Johnson felt good about being recognized for his work in the city.
“I’ve always been a bridesmaid and never a bride, and so it feels good to be a bride,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s recognition came as the last few months of his tenure on the City Council wind down. First elected in 2011, he has served two terms as deputy mayor from 2014-15 and 2020-21. He also served a previous mayoral term from 2016-17.
“I’ve had a wonderful ride, and it’s a wonderful community,” Johnson said.
With the event hosted in Battle Ground, Johnson was happy to see a significant turnout to the city’s Community Center from representatives of businesses across the county. He felt most events get hosted in Vancouver, while a sizable portion of the county population exists north of state Route 500.
“I’m happy to see them. I hope they continue to come,” Johnson said.
Other awards presented during the event included ones for small and large business, a “startup to watch” and the citizen of the year. OMW Uptown Market took the startup to watch title, When the Shoe Fits took the small business award, and the Orchards Grocery Outlet took the large business award. The citizen of the year went to a couple — Lisa and Kim Capeloto.
