This article appeared in the Dec. 9 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
“All the old timers know me, and know what I’m about,” said Lynn Greenberg, Gimli mayor, “but to a lot of the newer people in town, I’m just a truck driver—That’s what I do for a living.” Greenberg has been driving for Riverton Transport for 12 years, and, previously, for the family owned Greenberg’s Gimli Transfer, starting in 1972 when he graduated high school.
He may be a truck driver, but he is no stranger to municipal politics. Greenberg first ran for council in 1989, coming in fifth place, with only 23 votes, but in 1992 he got elected to Gimli council for a three year term. After running again in 1995, Greenberg became Deputy Reeve, receiving top vote. A defeat in 1998 followed, but Greenberg made a comeback in 2002, and was elected Deputy Mayor. He ran again, unsuccessfully, in 2006.
“I felt that 10 years council experience was enough. I figured I’d go the next step.” So, in 2010, Greenberg took a chance on running for the mayor’s chair, and won.
When Greenberg first started out in politics he wanted to see more jobs for young people. “I was pushing to get the Gimli Industrial Park going,” he said. The Manitoba government turned over the park to the RM in the late 1980s. The old army base, situated in the industrial park, was closed in 1971. It sat vacant for years. “Maybe it’s our own fault. Maybe we haven’t promoted it properly. It’s been a slow process,” he said. The development of the Gimli Industrial Park is still on Greenberg’s radar. “We don’t have the population base to get the large companies. We need to get in small businesses,” he said.
Greenberg, born and raised in Gimli, ironically, conducts council from what was once his first grade room, in the RM building that used to be the elementary school. “My first grade teacher was Miss Blaker. She was grey-haired, and was tough. She ruled with the yard stick,” Greenberg recounted. “My grade 5 teacher was May Peiluck—She was nice.” Peiluck was the mother of Peter Peiluck, who currently sits on council with Greenberg.
The Greenberg family, having a long history in Gimli, set down roots prior to 1914. Greenberg’s great grandparents, Isaac and Yeta immigrated from Russia to Winnipeg in 1897. Of their six children (Miriam, David, Jacob, Joseph, Goldie, and Charles), Charles was Lynn Greenberg’s grandfather. Charles and Freda had ended up in Minnesota where they started a family. They eventually moved to Gimli where Charles’ siblings had settled, bringing with them their first four children, one of whom was Sam, Lynn’s grandfather. They later had three more children, two of whom survive today.
The original Greenbergs, in addition to running a small mixed farm, established vibrant businesses in Gimli, helping to shape the town’s history. The first general store was established by Jacob in 1914, where the current information centre is located. The original building burnt down by 1917, forcing a move to an old schoolhouse where the fire hall now stands. A new Greenberg Store eventually relocated to First Ave., across from the current library. It had become a popular ice cream parlor in addition to being a general store. It did not close until in the 1962, when brothers Harry and Louis (sons of Jacob) passed away.
Jacob was a hard working entrepreneur, who spoke several languages, was actively interested in politics and education, passing those passions on to his children. He was a person who saw opportunity to move forward, making the most of circumstances. He continuously built business upon business, with the help of his family, including many very adept female members who kept books and were active in the community. He established the town’s the flour mill on Third Ave., which later caught on fire from the neighboring livery stable. He operated a taxi service, used by Gimli Air force personnel for trips from Gimli to Winnipeg. In addition, along with his brothers (that included Lynn’s grandfather), opened a wood and ice delivery business, that was busy in the summer months when people needed ice for their ice boxes, before electricity came to the Interlake.
Greenberg’s Gimli Transfer was established in 1929, by Lynn’s grandfather, Charles, upon purchasing his first transport truck. “In the winter they used horses and sleighs to pull fish off the lake. The fish were then put on a one ton truck and delivered to Winnipeg,” Greenberg explained. In order to keep the truck operating, Charles began buying fish from Lake Winnipeg fishermen. This business proved successful, with fish exports to the United States. Gimli Transfer operated until 1956, when it was sold to Riverton Transfer.
Jacob and Charles’ children worked hard at the family businesses and became entrepreneurs in their own right. Harry started the movie theatre in the 1940s that was run by his three sisters, and held community functions in the building that was erected in place of the flour mill. The whole family worked together, each helping out at the various family businesses while contributing to Gimli’s success.
Lynn Greenberg, himself, has also tried his hand at business, operating an auto wrecking company, Lakeside Auto, outside town until the late 80s. He shares his love of politics with family members who preceded him. Louis Greenberg, son of Jacob, sat on town council in 1933, and Norman Greenberg, son of Charles, sat on town council in 1962.
For an in depth historical account of the Greenberg family in Gimli, the “Gimli Saga”, available for loan from the Evergreen Regional Library, makes for an interesting read.
“All the old timers know me, and know what I’m about,” said Lynn Greenberg, Gimli mayor, “but to a lot of the newer people in town, I’m just a truck driver—That’s what I do for a living.” Greenberg has been driving for Riverton Transport for 12 years, and, previously, for the family owned Greenberg’s Gimli Transfer, starting in 1972 when he graduated high school.
He may be a truck driver, but he is no stranger to municipal politics. Greenberg first ran for council in 1989, coming in fifth place, with only 23 votes, but in 1992 he got elected to Gimli council for a three year term. After running again in 1995, Greenberg became Deputy Reeve, receiving top vote. A defeat in 1998 followed, but Greenberg made a comeback in 2002, and was elected Deputy Mayor. He ran again, unsuccessfully, in 2006.
“I felt that 10 years council experience was enough. I figured I’d go the next step.” So, in 2010, Greenberg took a chance on running for the mayor’s chair, and won.
When Greenberg first started out in politics he wanted to see more jobs for young people. “I was pushing to get the Gimli Industrial Park going,” he said. The Manitoba government turned over the park to the RM in the late 1980s. The old army base, situated in the industrial park, was closed in 1971. It sat vacant for years. “Maybe it’s our own fault. Maybe we haven’t promoted it properly. It’s been a slow process,” he said. The development of the Gimli Industrial Park is still on Greenberg’s radar. “We don’t have the population base to get the large companies. We need to get in small businesses,” he said.
Greenberg, born and raised in Gimli, ironically, conducts council from what was once his first grade room, in the RM building that used to be the elementary school. “My first grade teacher was Miss Blaker. She was grey-haired, and was tough. She ruled with the yard stick,” Greenberg recounted. “My grade 5 teacher was May Peiluck—She was nice.” Peiluck was the mother of Peter Peiluck, who currently sits on council with Greenberg.
The Greenberg family, having a long history in Gimli, set down roots prior to 1914. Greenberg’s great grandparents, Isaac and Yeta immigrated from Russia to Winnipeg in 1897. Of their six children (Miriam, David, Jacob, Joseph, Goldie, and Charles), Charles was Lynn Greenberg’s grandfather. Charles and Freda had ended up in Minnesota where they started a family. They eventually moved to Gimli where Charles’ siblings had settled, bringing with them their first four children, one of whom was Sam, Lynn’s grandfather. They later had three more children, two of whom survive today.
The original Greenbergs, in addition to running a small mixed farm, established vibrant businesses in Gimli, helping to shape the town’s history. The first general store was established by Jacob in 1914, where the current information centre is located. The original building burnt down by 1917, forcing a move to an old schoolhouse where the fire hall now stands. A new Greenberg Store eventually relocated to First Ave., across from the current library. It had become a popular ice cream parlor in addition to being a general store. It did not close until in the 1962, when brothers Harry and Louis (sons of Jacob) passed away.
Jacob was a hard working entrepreneur, who spoke several languages, was actively interested in politics and education, passing those passions on to his children. He was a person who saw opportunity to move forward, making the most of circumstances. He continuously built business upon business, with the help of his family, including many very adept female members who kept books and were active in the community. He established the town’s the flour mill on Third Ave., which later caught on fire from the neighboring livery stable. He operated a taxi service, used by Gimli Air force personnel for trips from Gimli to Winnipeg. In addition, along with his brothers (that included Lynn’s grandfather), opened a wood and ice delivery business, that was busy in the summer months when people needed ice for their ice boxes, before electricity came to the Interlake.
Greenberg’s Gimli Transfer was established in 1929, by Lynn’s grandfather, Charles, upon purchasing his first transport truck. “In the winter they used horses and sleighs to pull fish off the lake. The fish were then put on a one ton truck and delivered to Winnipeg,” Greenberg explained. In order to keep the truck operating, Charles began buying fish from Lake Winnipeg fishermen. This business proved successful, with fish exports to the United States. Gimli Transfer operated until 1956, when it was sold to Riverton Transfer.
Jacob and Charles’ children worked hard at the family businesses and became entrepreneurs in their own right. Harry started the movie theatre in the 1940s that was run by his three sisters, and held community functions in the building that was erected in place of the flour mill. The whole family worked together, each helping out at the various family businesses while contributing to Gimli’s success.
Lynn Greenberg, himself, has also tried his hand at business, operating an auto wrecking company, Lakeside Auto, outside town until the late 80s. He shares his love of politics with family members who preceded him. Louis Greenberg, son of Jacob, sat on town council in 1933, and Norman Greenberg, son of Charles, sat on town council in 1962.
For an in depth historical account of the Greenberg family in Gimli, the “Gimli Saga”, available for loan from the Evergreen Regional Library, makes for an interesting read.
