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Duane Jackson

Candidate profile
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Hockey Card:

Occupations: Designer, planner, builder, developer.

Furthest place you travelled and why. Cappadocia, Turkey because of its pivotal place in the foundation of civilization and its incredible geological, historical, and cultural interest. The Cappadocian civilization (6th Century B.C.) overcame amazing engineering and social challenges to build incredible, vast underground cities.

Describe yourself using five words or less. Father. Businessman. Analytical, decisive and enthusiastic.

What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? Although I don't look it, I'm actually part Maori.

Profile Questions:

What do you see as the top election issues? To improve financial and organizational leadership at municipal hall so respect and confidence can be restored. We need leaders capable of working with administrative staff to identify where additional operational and expense efficiencies can be found. We need to establish those priorities that will make Whistler a more economically vibrant, affordable, safe and healthy mountain resort community.

How would you address the budget shortfall? Based on my detailed review of past financials and the five-year plan, I'm confident we can manage short- and long-term operations, including capital expenses and capital maintenance, without increasing taxes. The majority of capital projects accelerated due to the Olympics are paid for, and ongoing Olympic related organizational overhead and personnel are substantially reduced. What we need to focus on now are operational efficiencies to "right-size" municipal departments based on realistic demands and appropriate levels of core service including appropriate levels of compensation and benefits. We should review capital improvements and replacements to manage cash flow (like any other business in this tough economy). We should reduce costs, review sub-contracted opportunities and examine our use of consultants. And finally, we should determine the necessary level of operational reserves before considering any future capital projects.

What do you think is the RMOW's role in boosting tourism? The first priority must be to effectively manage the use of RMI income (hotel tax). The RMI money should support the tourism initiatives of our resort partners and the business community. It is equally important to avoid bureaucratic duplication, conflict, or added operational expenses. The RMOW should continue to support and facilitate new tourism initiatives. It should also make every effort to take advantage of provincial and federal relationships.

What would you do to enhance the environment for business? Facilitate a more "Yes, Can, Will" attitude at municipal hall to provide confidence, value, respect and support to our business community. Meaningfully involve our experienced and successful resort and community leaders, and their expertise, in order to generate initiatives that continue to attract investment with innovative ideas and improvements to existing assets (without negatively impacting our natural environment or relying on increasing taxes). We should initiate an immediate solution to the non-conforming space issue to support our construction industry and respect our homeowners and real estate investors.

Give an example of a difficult situation you have overcome: Successfully completing my studies at the University of Southern California while the Los Angeles riots raged in the areas surrounding the campus and my apartment.

Where can people go to get your election platform? McCarthyJacksonForWhistler.com, coming soon.



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