Nanaimo’s new council looks ahead to hopefully bright future
NANAIMO — “This is a good night for Nanaimo,” new mayor Leonard Krog said to a wide round of applause during the swearing-in ceremony for the new council.
“This might be the happiest night of our four years,” he told a crowded room at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre on Monday night. “You love us now and we love you. But when you come to us with your 50th complaint, we might not find you that lovable. And if we haven’t fixed it by your 50th complaint, you won’t think we’re that lovable either.”
Krog often acknowledged during his speech there’s much work to be done by Nanaimo’s new council to rebuild trust in City Hall. During the last administration, which was beset by scandals and public infighting, community members often said they lost faith in Nanaimo’s council and the direction of the City.
“It’s clear this community…wants restored good governance, it wants peace at City Hall, it wants good relations with its workers and employees,” he said. “It wants to have a sense in the city that we are going forward.”