By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Ian Thorpe

Oct 9, 2018 | 2:58 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: I am 66 years old, married to my wife Ruth, and am a third-generation Nanaimo resident. Following graduation from UVIC, I enjoyed a 35-year career as a teacher and school administrator here in Nanaimo. I have also worked in broadcasting, and for 38 years have written a newspaper column promoting local sports: “The Thorpe Report”. I have a long history of community involvement, and have been on the boards of numerous groups and organizations. After volunteering on the Nanaimo Parks and Recreation Committee for several years, I ran and was elected to City Council in 2014. During the past term I have gained much knowledge and experience. Among other duties, I have chaired the Community Safety Committee and the Parks, Recreation, and Wellness Committee. I have also represented the City on the Regional District Board as vice-chair of that organization.

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

The role I am seeking as a City Councillor is primarily one of proper governance, working with others to set the future course for the City, and providing oversight. As the B.C. Community Charter indicates, this includes providing strategic direction, ensuring objectives are achieved, managing risks, and using resources responsibly and with accountability. A Councillor’s responsibility is to consider the well-being and interests community at all times, and to contribute to the development and evaluation of the policies and programs of the municipality respecting its services and other activities. Important duties of a Councillor also include participating in meetings and decision-making in a respectful and appropriate manner. As well, I believe that an important part of the job is to attend and represent the City at community events whenever possible.

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

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My vision for Nanaimo beyond the next four years is a city that is safe, clean, affordable, and age-friendly. To achieve a prosperous, vibrant, sustainable and diverse Nanaimo economy we will need to update our Community Strategic Plan. Nanaimo is a wonderful place to live and I want to keep it that way. I want a city that is safe and healthy; a beautiful and affordable place to live, work, and raise families. A city that has a strong economic base and a fair tax structure. A city that is attractive to new clean businesses. A city that protects its parks and green spaces, and enhances cultural and recreational facilities. A city with strong neighbourhoods and well-maintained infrastructure. A city with reduced poverty, and a city with a social conscience. The type of city we want to live in can be achieved by maintaining focus on core community values of economic health, environmental responsibility, social equity, cultural vitality, and active lifestyle.

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?

The top three strategic priorities I see for Nanaimo City Council over the next four years are:

1) Our first priority must be the re-establishment of proper principles of governance, where Councillors and City staff know their respective roles and duties, and interact appropriately. Our city’s reputation has suffered over the past four years. We need to re-establish our Council’s credibility – with our citizens, our business community, and with potential investors.

2) We need to get major projects moving again such as Terminal-Nicol Re-Imagined, careful development of the South Downtown Waterfront lands, and expansion of our waterfront walkway. This will involve working immediately to re-establish good relations and collaborative partnerships with other community groups and stakeholders. This priority will also involve building staff capacity to allow for faster processing of permits and development applications.

3) Another strategic priority will be to address affordable housing and homelessness. We need to increase emergency shelter space, and work with the provincial government to supply short-term modular housing for those who wish it. In the longer term, we can use zoning regulations and tax incentives to encourage the building of more rental units, secondary suites, carriage houses, and neighbourhood density.

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

There is no doubt that these days there is more pressure and scrutiny placed upon elected officials, perhaps stemming from a sense of distrust. As a strategy for dealing with that, I can only promise to be open and above-board in my dealings, and approachable to those who wish to speak or meet with me. I have found that most people are respectful and reasonable, and rightly expect the same from elected officials. I will give my honest opinion on issues, and listen to those of others. Decisions I make may not always please everyone, but I will always try to do what I believe is best for Nanaimo. I will do my homework on issues in order to make informed, evidence-based decisions, and I am always willing to explain my reasoning behind a decision.

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