Name: Gary Korpan
Age: 61
Occupation/background: Lawyer, 25 years (retired); councillor, nine years (1984-1993); mayor, 15 years (1993-2008).
Why are you running for public office?
To offer my lengthy experience of community issues and knowledge of city operations and budgets to ensure the limited resources of taxpayers is used wisely and cost effectively. To stop the spending spree.
What three priorities are important to you and how do you plan to tackle these issues, if elected?
To stop the spending spree by freezing all current projects until the new council can review and reconsider them. Citizens are demanding fiscal restraint. I hate wasteful spending.
I am committed to a full core review of all city operations be conducted to ensure your tax money is well spent. All organizations receiving tax subsidies will undergo a hard audit to ensure they truly deserve your money. All questionable funding decisions will be reconsidered by a recorded vote in open session.
Council's top priority must be to stimulate investment and spur business expansion and job creation, within a sustainable community that ensures a great quality of life for all its residents. All regulation needs to be updated and streamlined to focus on encouraging, not preventing, new and expanding business and jobs.
How do you plan to manage taxes and spending?
In addition to my priorities above, I intend to use the powers of the mayor to bring budget line items I consider wasteful or improper back in open council session for public debate and a recorded vote so taxpayers can see who is protecting their interests and who is not.
What do you think it takes to lead Nanaimo? Describe your leadership or co-working style.
First, wide knowledge of the myriad community issues and needs. Second, respect for the true bosses – the citizens – not special interest group sucking up subsidies at taxpayer expense. Third, common sense as to true need priorities and how to pay for them in a prudent manner. Holding council, staff, contractors, etc. accountable for professional, quality service.
My record as mayor of forming 8-1 and 7-2 coalitions, across the political spectrum over five terms of office, on major issues, proves I have the leadership qualities of getting the city's work done co-operatively and effectively.
I am a truly independent, unaffiliated candidate. I want to be responsible only to the general citizenry, not special interest groups. I do not seek endorsement from any group, but I would appreciate the voting support of informed voters.