By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Pele Gouda

Oct 10, 2018 | 6:29 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:

My name is Pelé Gouda, I’m 24, and I’ve lived in Nanaimo since I was 5 years old. I’ve been deeply political my entire adult life: I’m a political science bachelor, a political organizer, an activist, and a policy writer. I deeply want to work toward the common good, and I believe that the most direct way for me to do that is through the political process. I love Nanaimo. And now that I’m finishing up my degree, and my city is in political discord, I just can’t help myself but to run for office; to try and give back to the place that raised me.

Contact information:

PeleGouda.com

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Facebook.com/PeleGoudaForCouncil

PeleGoudaForNanaimo@Gmail.com

(778) 268-0701

Instagram.com/Pele_is_Good

Twitter.com/PeleLRG

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

A city councillor must be able to confidently act in the best interest of their constituents. This means having a mindset that is suited for dealing with the municipality on a systemic level; incorporating solutions for the local issues of individual communities into the larger prosperity of the city, and vice versa. Looking at how we can make life better for all people of Nanaimo in a sustainable and fiscally responsible way is paramount.

Of course, this can only be done by councillors who can straddle the line between fighting for their beliefs, and being open-minded and willing to listen to new ideas: from constituents, from city staff, from other councillors, and from experts in relevant fields.

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

As Vancouver and Victoria become more densely populated, and the cost of living continues to rise, Nanaimo will continue to attract people who want the amenities and opportunities that city life has to offer.

Given this reality, I envision a Nanaimo that excels in being both a natural island paradise and a growing hub city. I envision a Nanaimo that cures its homelessness epidemic through smart governance, thus turning the problem of economic drain into the boon of economic stimulus!

And I envision a Nanaimo that grows its population and its economy while preserving its natural jewels, such as the Nanaimo river, and the waterfront. As trite and clichéd as this may sound, I really believe that Nanaimo is experiencing a moment of great opportunity, and we ought to seize it!

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 it be and why?

Priority one: Taking real action on the housing and homelessness crisis. Homelessness, beyond being a terrible human rights issue, is also an economic burden on the taxpayer. Solutions exist. The political science has the answers. What we need is the political will and competency to get to work.

Priority two: Repairing and revitalizing our municipal politics. We have had a discordant city council. We have lost vital city staff, and thus we have lost experience and institutional memory. No solutions can manifest without a cooperative municipal government acting in the best interest of the city.

Priority three: Advancing sustainable practices in all areas of governance. Sustainability is not just a buzzword. Prioritizing sustainability means looking after our precious and fragile environment. It means making business decisions that involve community stakeholders—people who have a longterm stake in Nanaimo—as a higher priority than those who just want to take advantage of our assets. And fundamentally, it means being visionary; making educated decisions that prepare us best for our prosperity into the future.

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

Pressure is how I work best. I welcome scrutiny. I know that despite my best efforts, I won’t always get it right. So in order to come to the best conclusions for the people of Nanaimo, I will have to listen to others.

Everybody believes what they believe for a reason. As such, I find it a lot more valuable to collaborate with people who disagree with me than to dismiss them. The oracle of Delphi divined that Socrates was the wisest in Athens. Why? Because he, alone, took seriously the idea that he knew much less than what he didn’t know. This idea, this Socratic axiom, is — I believe — the seat of wisdom. And it is something I try to keep with me always.

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