By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Alexis Petersen

Oct 16, 2018 | 5:54 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 a retired Social Worker with 35 years’ experience and have resided in Nanaimo for 16 years. Currently, I sit on the Board of Directors for the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre, serve as a volunteer with Nanaimo Emergency Services and sit on the City of Nanaimo Public Safety Committee.

In my career as a Social Worker, I was employed in both the social welfare and corrections field. I opened the Probation and Family Court Services office in Bella Coola, I worked in Corrections in a custodial setting, and worked for 20 years in child protection in Whitehorse, Victoria and Nanaimo. I have a Master’s in Criminology and Social Work degree and taught in the Social Work faculty at Yukon College.

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

In seeking a Council position, I will be entering into an important partnership with my fellow Council members, Municipal Staff and the Community. I can and will work diligently with council members to reach consensus on how to move forward on complex community issues. I will make the development of good communication with City Staff a priority and give respect to staff for their professional input. My focus on good community partnerships means that I will make a priority to connect with all the Neighbourhood Associations and participate actively in Open Houses/Townhall meetings on various topics where I promise to listen carefully and give serious consideration to all the neighbourhood’s concerns.

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My many years professional experience as a social worker in various positions in both the social and justice systems have taught me how to work well with diverse and sometimes challenging groups of people. It also taught me how to make challenging and difficult decisions when they are necessary.

My experience as a front-line responder in child protection and as a Team Leader for Youth Protection and Probation Officers, has taught me the importance of listening and the importance of being respectful to everyone. I have also worked cooperatively

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

There needs to be continued support given by Council to the business community through improved communications with the Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver Island Real Estate Board, Nanaimo Homebuilders and other similar business associations. As well, Council should encourage the development of more local events and activities throughout the city, similar to the Thursday Night Market.

Council should look for more opportunities to consult with business owners in all areas of the City to listen to their concerns and expectations followed by the development of concrete action strategies to address local concerns.

Through Council’s ongoing participation in the Regional District, work to improve the Regional transportation plan with a view towards reducing traffic congestion and improving transit services.

From an environmental perspective, I would like to see each City Department review their own operations and examine opportunities to reduce fossil fuel energy use. Further, I would work with my Council colleagues to look for ways to improve and expand local recycling opportunities.

The development of action plans with timelines to achieve measurable outcomes for existing community strategies such as the Nanaimo Affordable Housing Strategy and the Nanaimo Community Plan to End Homelessness would be an important next step for Council including

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) Priorize the hiring process for a permanent CEO so that empty management and staff positions could be filled to move as quickly as possible to get projects started that have been delayed. The wait times for Development Proposals are is very long and I have heard many complaints about this. We have lost many managers, making it difficult for new line staff to manage the enormous work load without the necessary leadership.

(2) Examine the current state of communications between Council and the Nanaimo residents and business. I would also urge that the position of Communications Manager be re-established to begin development of a stronger communication link to all Nanaimo residents and businesses. I would support revisiting the role of Neighbourhood Associations to give them more opportunities for meaningful input into shaping their communities.

(3) Work to review all the various major planning documents that have been written and to ensure that all plans have achievable action plans with measurable outcomes.

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?

I do not come to City Hall with any personal agenda. I will meet with, have honest discussion with, and agree or disagree with all citizens respectfully. Listening respectfully to and communicating clearly back to people who do not necessarily agree with your positions or decisions is a skill set that I honed in my role as a Child Protection Social Worker.

Members of City Council are always watched closely and the best response is to model good behavior and have a strong sense of self-regulation. Being aware of how you are perceived by both supporters and opponents, being respectful to those with opposing points of view, and observing strict confidentiality are also important.

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