By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Jerry Hong

Oct 10, 2018 | 6:22 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 have been involved in the Nanaimo community since I was a student at Princess Anne Elementary where I worked at my parents’ restaurant.

I continued to help run the family business during my days at Woodlands High School and through-out my years at Malaspina University. I studied psychology and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in arts. Following graduation, I briefly left Nanaimo to teach English in Asia. I learned a lot about cultural diversity as I traveled. When I returned home to Nanaimo I started a family and a successful business career.

Throughout these years I have been fortunate to own several businesses in Nanaimo. I have become known for my commitment to charitable organizations and community events. One of my greatest contributions has been assisting others in raising funds for their causes at The Queen’s by providing guidance and a venue.

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Contact information:

jerry@thequeens.ca

www.jerryhong.ca

https://www.facebook.com/voteJerryHong/

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

As a municipal elected official, you are being trusted to provide the best possible civic service to the people whom have elected you. The most important and only duty of a city councillor is to serve the citizens of Nanaimo in the best possible manner. We are elected to facilitate the best possible running of city services for all citizens including economic development, infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, recreation and social concerns such as housing. Our duty is to listen to our citizens, provide quality city services and look for economic opportunities that will benefit everyone.

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

I look with great excitement to the four years ahead for Nanaimo and beyond. We live in a beautiful and unique area full of talented, creative and resourceful people and the future looks bright for this area. In the next four years, Nanaimo will continue to grow and attract investment from all over the world.

I see a collaborative, practical and fiscally responsible city government and I see excellent services for citizens.  I see expansion in tourism, education, government and the technological sector among others. I see a strong resource sector and investment in infrastructure. I see continued development in our world class waterfront and I see continued growth in our bustling down town.

Finally, with the assistance of all levels of government,  I am optimistic that many serious social issues found in Nanaimo can be addressed and none of our citizens will be left behind.

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?

1.) Revitalization of downtown. Downtowns are the core to any city,  we need continued development in our downtown and in our world class waterfront if we make the right infrastructure decisions we will continue to see growth in our downtown.

2.) Strategic investment in our infrastructure. As our city ages, so do our facilities. We need to invest in infrastructure where a return on investment is compelling and demonstrable. We have to work with other organizations to find synergies within infrastructure projects. We also need to  find innovative strategies to generate revenue to off-set taxation demands on new infrastructure projects.

3.) Implementing the Affordable Housing strategy.  Like all growing cities, Nanaimo has its challenges with housing. We need to work with builders to develop reasonable policies that includes density incentives for low income and affordable housing for families and individuals. 

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?

We as elected officials have the right to our opinions and viewpoints, and we all speak for those that we feel have elected us. When we make a decision, we know that it is impossible to make everyone happy but as long as we have made an informed decision with the information that we are provided, each Councillor should feel that they have done their job. 

For respective financial information, click here.