Name: Ed Mayne
Age: 64
Occupation/background:
I bring extensive experience and strong leadership skills which will allow me to represent electoral Area E in the manner the community deserves. My family owns and operates successful businesses in Parksville and Nanaimo. I have had many years of senior executive experience with several major Canadian corporations, primarily dealing with communities and municipal staff across Canada. During my term as Mayor of Parksville, I was also the city’s representative on the board for the Regional District of Nanaimo.
Why are you running for public office?
My family has been in business in this area for 11 years and the residents of Nanoose and Oceanside have been very good to us. I would like to give back to the community and the best way for me to do that is by applying my experience, skills and knowledge in local government.
What three priorities are important to you and how do you plan to tackle these issues, if elected?
The three top priorities for the Area E director are communications, consultation and water. These three are interwoven. We need to unite this community instead of having the three separate areas we now have. If elected I would ask the chairs of all the various resident associations and the First Nations chief to attend a monthly meeting in order to discuss issues pertaining to electoral Area E. We will discuss upcoming matters and I will bring the consensus of this group forward to the board. Water is becoming more and more of an important issue in this area. We need to have strong communication and consultation with the residents so that informed decisions can be made about our water supply. This would mean me going out and talking to various organizations in addition to holding staff run information meetings. The concerns of the residents need to be listened to and addressed. We need to have more down-to-earth, non-technical discussions so that the lay person can understand. We need our voice not only heard but listened to as the third-largest population in the region. I will work harder than anyone to ensure the residents of Nanoose Bay get the representation they deserve.
How do you plan to manage taxes and spending?
When mayor, the city council under my leadership passed three consecutive surplus budgets with the lowest tax increases on Vancouver Island. It meant cutting out the political decisions and making those hard decisions that addressed the priorities of the city. In the budget process you cannot make everyone happy, you have to do what is best for the community as a whole and that is what I would do as part of the regional board. I will watch every penny as I do in my own businesses.
What do you think it takes to lead the Regional District of Nanaimo? Describe your leadership or co-working style.
To be a leader you must listen to the wants and needs of the residents, taking their concerns into consideration over your own. Listen to everyone’s opinion prior to making a decisions, but have the managerial courage to make the decision for the right reasons not political ones and sticking to it once its been made.