NANAIMO MAYOR
Raymon Farmere, VIU Ancillary Services online marketing and technology clerk renewingnanaimo.city Top three issues:
My first primary concern is families with lower incomes, when I was growing up, there was no such thing as a tent or a shortage at the foodbank before Christmas. My Secondary concern, is the amount of support available for younger people to start their own businesses in todays fast paced society more resources need to be available for people start their lives. Lastly, probably the most pressing concern of all is the growing aging population and the lack of resources available to them.
One big idea:
I want to look at the creation of a non profit lower income housing organization which creates jobs and a place to live for the homeless people in nanaimo.
Don Hubbard facebook.com/ donhubbardformayor Top three issues:
Good Governance, City Moral and change of culture. Low income, affordable housing and homelessness Bring investment and prosperity (jobs) to Nanaimo
One big idea:
Help the business in our downtown core to flourish and attract investment to redevelop the derelict properties.
Leonard Krog, 65, lawyer and MLA krogformayor.ca Top three issues:
Creating a “can do” attitude by engaging our First Nation, local businesses and other public agencies like VIU, the Port and Airport Authorities, VIHA to develop common approaches to grasp opportunities and resolve problems. Making sure that Nanaimo receives the resources it needs from senior governments to address issues of housing and addictions treatment. Creating confidence that Nanaimo is a place where people, families and businesses can grow and prosper in a community that is clean and caring.
One big idea:
Systematic organization of every civic partner in building our community, including our First Nation, our Port and Airport, our University, our industry, the investment community, the School District, and VIHA.
Sheryl Armstrong*, 56, city councillor Top three issues:
One of the issues which I think needs to be addressed immediately is staff capacity. We need to hire people to fill the vacancies created this past four years. I believe we need to improve our economic development and work with the business community to do this. I also believe we need to address affordable housing for the city of Nanaimo. This includes supportive housing, subsidized housing, and housing for those with disabilities.
One big idea:
I do not have one big idea for my community. I think ideas need to come from the community, go to staff if the idea is viable and then work on implementation. I could sum it up this way “what does your community want, is it feasible, affordable, then do it.” In other words be engaged with the Community you represent.
Guy Beaulieu, human resources/ labour relations consultant guybeaulieu 4council.ca Top three issues:
My issues are: Affordable Housing and the resultant homelessness which often is rooted in insufficient health care services; notably mental health and addiction. Attracting good paying jobs to Nanaimo is a top priority as many residents are in precarious employment. Re-building civic engagement after four years of Nanaimo Council dysfunction is another top issue. We need to have a Council and Mayor that are working constructively fulfilling the needs of our residents instead of bickering.
One big idea:
To borrow an old slogan; we need “Jobs,Jobs,Jobs” in Nanaimo. And not minimum wage precarious jobs where people are one paycheque away from being homeless. We must develop and execute a plan to attract investment in industry and selfemployment that pays living wages. Nanaimo has much to offer employers and entrepreneurs. The tech industry is one but there are many more. We have a well respected university that could be a catalyst in attracting these jobs.
Don Bonner, 61, website designer and programmer bonner.ca Top three issues:
1. MORE HIGH PAYING, HIGH-TECH JOBS SO OUR CHILDREN CAN STAY HERE AND DON’T HAVE TO MOVE TO VICTORIA, VANCOUVER, OR TORONTO. 2. A PARTNERSHIP FOR FUTURE PROSPERITY WITH THE SNUNEYMUXW FIRST NATION. OUR PROSPERITY AS A COMMUNITY IS LINKED TO THE PROSPERITY OF OUR NEIGHBOUR NATION SNUNEYMUXW AND OUR URBAN ABORIGINAL POPULATION. RECONCILIATION SHOULD BE FIRST AND FOREMOST A PART OF THIS NEW PARTNERSHIP AS EQUALS. 3. RENEWED PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE ISLAND CORRIDOR FOUNDATION, THE NANAIMO PORT AUTHORITY, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES OF OUR COMMUNITY AND MOST IMPORTANT, OUR ENVIRONMENT. OUR SUCCESS AS A CITY, AS A COMMUNITY DEPENDS ON THESE RELATIONSHIPS.
Bob Breuker Tyler Brown, 32, works for Regional District of Nanaimo tylerbrown2018.com Top three issues:
It’s time we had a local government that champions building a strong and economically resilient Nanaimo to preserve our beautiful city for future generations. It’s time our city government commits to openness and honesty to embrace the challenges that face us. It’s time we build an inclusive and livable city that welcomes everyone
One big idea:
Prosperity for our community cannot be artificially created with big, expensive and high-risk projects. Prosperity is achieved incrementally over time.