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Nanaimo council candidate: Diane Brennan

City of Nanaimo: Brennan, Diane – city council candidate
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Name: Diane Brennan

Age: 63

Occupation/background: Paralegal; education and training coordinator; online course creator

Why are you running for public office?

I have the skills and knowledge to make Nanaimo a healthy, vibrant and prosperous city. Since I was first elected in 2002 we have accomplished much but there is more work to be done. I want to influence the decision making process. I want to find a new way with new ideas. I want to build a city where we remember the past but seek the future.

What three priorities are important to you and how do you plan to tackle these issues, if elected?

To preserve and protect the green spaces and environmental integrity that first attracts people to our community.

To support enduring economic security so that our children and our children's children can look forward to a prosperous future where everyone's well-being matters.

To develop a transportation network for the 21st century that supports our goal of sustainability.

How do you plan to manage taxes and spending?

Property taxes in Nanaimo are in the middle of the pack for B.C. I intend keep them there by being watchful and thoughtful. I believe that when we develop our budget we need to keep in mind the balance between affordability and desired service levels. It is vitally important that we join other cities to lobby senior levels of government in order that we receive a fairer share of the dollars that local taxpayers generate.

What do you think it takes to lead Nanaimo? Describe your leadership or co-working style.

I believe it takes your heart and your mind to take the lead in Nanaimo. My leadership style is collaborative. My preferred method is to involve citizens through a variety of methods. From my perspective, decision making is most effective when we use both formal and informal tools. Neighbourhood and city-wide meetings, online discussions, surveys and meetings with individuals over coffee are examples of ways to discuss problems, possibilities and to gather information and ideas. The shared goal of these meetings is always to move toward a decision. In the end, it is council's responsibility to use the  information and ideas generated to make a decision that it believes to be in the best interest of the public.