By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Gary Korpan

Oct 9, 2018 | 2:52 PM

NanaimoNewsNOW reached out to every municipal candidate to present an easy-to-read and informative guide for our readers to help with the upcoming municipal election. All candidates were asked the same four questions, which are presented here without being edited. 

Biography:

Question 1: Describe, in detail, what you view as the most important duties associated with the role of being councillor/mayor?

Restore Good Governance; Stop wasteful spending; Ensure public safety. By any objective standard, I have excellent qualifications as a candidate for City Council. I have a degree in political science; a degree in law with emphasis in constitutional law; post graduate courses in municipal government; 20 plus years running a law practice; 9 years Nanaimo City Councillor (1984-1993); 15 years as Nanaimo Mayor (1993-2008); 20 years on the Nanaimo Regional District. I have wide community knowledge that would benefit the new Council ranging from City operations and budgeting, economic to environmental to social issues as well as experience in dealing with emergencies. My employment as an Auxiliary Police officer with Victoria City Police under the Law Student Police Program gives me added insight into policing and social needs. My appointment to the BC Premier’s Task Force on Mental Health and Addictions gave me detailed knowledge of the homeless crisis.

Question 2: Describe your vision for Nanaimo beyond the next four years

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Restoring the ‘Shared Vision coalition’ of community institutions that worked cooperatively and successfully together (the Port Authority, Snuneymuxw First Nation, School District 68, the Regional District, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo Airport, Chamber of Commerce, etc.) and advocated jointly with senior governments to implement City wide priorities should be expanded to include the Aquaculture Visitor Centre/Marine Pavilion proposal which would be an excellent tourism attraction when linked to revitalized Newcastle Island Park amenities and Snuneymuxw First Nation cultural activities. Complete the Downtown Revitalization efforts. Renew efforts for private investment in Nanaimo including visitor accommodation downtown. Permit higher density & height including mixed commercial residential projects. Update tourism and Conference Center marketing and management. Resolve the homeless and affordable housing problems as best as we can in cooperation with senior government, social service agencies, and the private sector remembering public safety is paramount…for residents, businesses, and homeless alike.

Question 3: If you were making a list of your top three strategic priorities for the incoming Council to focus on over the next four years, what would they be and why?

Restore Good Governance; Stop wasteful spending; Ensure public safety. I seek a safe, secure City every citizen can proudly call home with educational & employment opportunities for all. Control of spending the current $180,000,000 budget revenue must be Council’s immediate priority. Clearly, Nanaimo citizens are not receiving good value for their contributions to government. Severe homelessness, atrocious road conditions, poor park and trailway conditions, are prime indicators that better City government is sorely needed. We must stop taxpayers from being ripped off by ending the unnecessary subsidies to unworthy organizations, hold incompetent contractors accountable by enforcing contracts, audit any purported charity to ensure they truly deserve public contributions. Expand the Core review to all departments to seek cost efficiencies throughout all municipal operations…no more exemptions for favoured departments.

Question 4: What is your strategy for dealing with the intense pressure and scrutiny placed upon elected officials, especially from those who many not agree with your decisions or viewpoints?

By following the fundamental Golden Rule principle of: “Treat others like you would like to be treated.” The new Council must respect their office, each other, staff, and most importantly, their bosses…the citizens of Nanaimo. The new Council must follow the Nanaimo Procedure Bylaw, Robert`s Rules of Order, respect and follow the Canadian Constitution and laws. Effective problem solving through cooperation is key. Nanaimo will have a new Council. Most candidates have little municipal government experience. I can provide reliable experience as someone who knows our civic governance history and can provide important insights as Council considers our serious issues. Nanaimo wants to regain its wide reputation for good governance by a new Council hiring non-partisan professional staff; listening respectfully to issues and concerns, researching and consulting diligently, responding promptly with fair, reasonable, cost efficient solutions while minimizing harmful ramifications. I have the experience and dedication to help achieve those goals. I truly believe that my responsibility is to serve our city in return for all the opportunities it has given me.

For respective financial information, click here.