CANDIDATE PROFILE: Nevin Webster

My professional background is in business development with an educational background in tourism. I have helped grow two businesses as the second or third hire going on to manage each business and increase their business’ productivity.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing the City of Kamloops and how would you use your elected position to address it?

The biggest issue that Kamloops is facing right now is that it doesn’t love itself. Kamloopsians take every chance they get to belittle, rag or insult our great town. This is an issue because anytime someone tries something, the negativity drowns out the opportunity.

As an elected official, I have the capacity to be the biggest Kamloops enthusiast and use the platform I have built to share the amazing events, tournaments and other initiatives in our city.

Following a term highlighted by infighting and tension at city hall that impacted Kamloops’ public image, how would you ensure civil discourse and good governance would take place between yourself, fellow elected officials and city staff?

I have navigated these waters quite well as a critic and believe that I can continue to do so on council. I believe good civil discourse comes from being slow to speak and good governance comes from respecting the process that council is to follow

Considering recent years of large municipal tax increases in Kamloops, how would you address the city’s tax rate going forward?

As a taxpayer and potential councillor, I would want to reduce municipal taxes but need to listen to the cities needs before answering any further.

As major infrastructure projects are on the horizon in Kamloops, how would you prefer the city go about gaining the electorate’s approval – via referendum or the alternative approval process (AAP)? Why?

I would prefer a referendum to be used on anything that might be viewed as an “extra,” while using the AAP for infrastructure approval that needs to happen quickly. Furthermore, I would like to see the referendum coincide with an election to keep the costs down. I feel this way is most fair to citizens to be informed but also balance the needs of the city. Infrastructure projects have a timeline that things need to be completed by, or we could see catastrophic consequences, so the AAP should be used.

What are your thoughts on communication between the City of Kamloops and its residents? Are there areas of improvement you’d like to see?

I would like to see the City of Kamloops bring back comments on Facebook and use video comments. I believe that video comments are the most humane method to communicate on social media because the audience can see that there is a real person on the other end of the conversation. Furthermore, I think bringing back comments on Facebook is like re-opening the town square allowing people to have a common place to discuss things relating to the city. I understand the challenges of moderating such a decision, but that is why I believe video comments are invaluable.

by CFJC Today

CANDIDATE PROFILE: Nevin Webster

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