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Byelection 2017 candidate: Leon Cake

The Nanaimo News Bulletin’s candidate questionnaire
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Leon Cake. (Photo submitted)

As part of the News Bulletin’s coverage of the city council byelection, we asked all candidates to answer questions about their background, candidacy and priorities. Responses have been edited for grammar, style and clarity.

LEON CAKE

Occupation/background:

A family man, a business partner with my wife Christine and a strong community leader.

As the founder of Street Store Nanaimo, a fundraiser for KidSport Nanaimo, past president of the Nanaimo Old-timers’ Hockey League, a member of the Colliery Dam technical committee, an ongoing supporter of the Salvation Army and many other charities I have taken an active part in, I realize how important it is to listen to the citizens.

Why are you running for city council?

As a successful businessman, I bring business acumen and negotiation techniques to city council. I am committed to overseeing taxpayers’ money being spent in a reasonable and necessary way, ensuring this trust is met with the responsibility it deserves. Preparing a reasonable budget and sticking to it, as any responsible fiscal manager would do, is vital to city management.

What will be your priorities if you are elected and what do you want to accomplish in the 15 months before the 2018 civic election?

Asset management is an important aspect of being a part of city council. The city holds billions of dollars in assets and it is crucial that they be managed effectively with short- and long-term goals in mind. Proper planning will avert costly emergency repairs to an aging infrastructure.

If elected, my goals are to work with council on the following: looking to the local, provincial and federal governments on affordable housing, homelessness and other joint issues. Working toward the city’s planned development from the input and needs of the citizens and the concerns of the downtown merchants of the City of Nanaimo.

I have learned how important negotiation skills are to the successful outcome of any project. I know the importance of working together in a respectful manner in order to guarantee the best outcomes for the people of beautiful Nanaimo. The world has discovered our amazing city. In order to ensure the city’s best interest are paramount in meeting the needs of the citizenry, including the electorate, children and families, seniors, the business community and the Snuneymuxw First Nations, it is important that city council conducts itself with pride, passion and consideration toward all of its citizens.