Name: Gail Adrienne
Age:
Occupation/background:
I am currently the executive director of the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust.
My work background has been solidly grounded in a wide array of community-based social initiatives – both paid and volunteer – from preschool teacher to employment programs for youth, women and inner adults to seniors’ supports.
In Nanaimo, my accomplishments have included: co-founding and developing the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange; followed by waste management contracts for both the city and the RDN; co-ordinating the development of the Nanaimo Community Health Council; founding and co-ordinating Respite Care Unlimited, which provided a much-needed break for caregivers; developing and co-ordinating a four-year initiative of the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust to promote stream stewardship in 10 watersheds within Nanaimo’s boundaries; promoted to the role of executive director for NALT in 2002.
In 2012, I was pleased to receive the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee award for my work in social justice.
I am an Islander, born in Victoria. When I returned to the island in 1990, I chose Nanaimo.
I am a proud mother of two accomplished and caring young adults – both helping with this campaign.
Why are you running for public office?
I feel that I can contribute to the community with my leadership skills and many years of experience working in community programs and empowering people. Our city council needs to be far more in touch with and accountable to its citizens, and I want to ensure that will happen.
What three priorities are important to you and how do you plan to tackle these issues, if elected?
Make council more accessible and accountable. I will champion more openness and community interaction through such opportunities as regular town-hall meetings and a governance model that encourages taxpayers to speak out and express their concerns and their ideas.
Work to make Nanaimo a destination city – instead of a 'drive-through' town. We need to market our city as a desirable place to live, to do business and to visit. I believe that Nanaimo has all the components of a world-class 'green community.' This concept needs to be developed and promoted.
Create more employment opportunities. Becoming a green community and a destination city will significantly increase job opportunities, as will developing a 'zero waste' model of harvesting more of our 'garbage' and applying it to the development of local enterprises that generate good, green jobs. More about this on my website.
How do you plan to manage taxes and spending?
The city needs an independent core review of its operations and management – from bottom to top, including council operations. It cannot evaluate itself effectively, without bias. An independent review will reveal where systems can become more efficient and accountable.
What do you think it takes to lead Nanaimo? Describe your leadership or co-working skills.
My preferred leadership approach is to work as a team and empower others to step up, speak out and take on a role. However, when needed leadership is lacking, I am prepared to step up and fill a void.