Rommel Silverio, a two-term city councillor, is a proponent of land development and hopes to implement the hotel levy if he is elected for another term.
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Could you please introduce yourself for anyone who may not know who you are?
SA国际影视传媒淚 am a second-term city councillor. This is my third run for city council. ISA国际影视传媒檝e been in the North since 1998. ISA国际影视传媒檓 heading to my 25th year anniversary staying in Yellowknife from the Philippines. I am a registered nurse in charge at the YK Primary Care Clinic. I work at Stanton Hospital as well as a patient care coordinator. I got my nursing (degree) here at Aurora College.
SA国际影视传媒淲e also have a business here. I helped my mom with our family business, established in 2001. My immediate family is here (in Yellowknife): my brother, my mom and myself. (My brother and I) raised our families here. All of our kids were born and raised in Yellowknife.SA国际影视传媒�
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What do you hope to change if youSA国际影视传媒檙e re-elected?
SA国际影视传媒淭he reason why ISA国际影视传媒檓 running again has to do with our economic development here. (The next) four years will be very crucial for city council SA国际影视传媒� the diversification of the economy, where we want to make sure that with the impending closures of mines, Yellowknife will still make a bit of a revenue.
SA国际影视传媒�(The Yellowknife Artist Run Community Centre), when they had the forum, it was very good timing when they were bringing that up. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a good addition, the arts with the tourism, so then we can actually do the hotel levy. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 the main thing I want to do. (I also plan to) push for land development and land transfers so that we can have land to sell for businesses that need to develop.SA国际影视传媒�
Why have you chosen to run now?
SA国际影视传媒淓very time I run, I think ISA国际影视传媒檓 the only one that is an immigrant. I do represent most of the immigrants. I have that connection where I can understand what (the immigrant) population needs, and represent it in the council. Immigrants, when they come here, the only thing they need is a place to stay and work. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 what we do.
SA国际影视传媒淚t would be nice for the city to really consider attracting new residents, that way, our tax base will increaseSA国际影视传媒� I want to focus on that. Maybe this time, we need to make a plan on how to attract new residents to come to stay here.SA国际影视传媒�
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What are some of your must haves?
SA国际影视传媒淲hen I ran the first time, I was very idealistic. I was (advocating for) zero tax increase. (What I have learned in my) seven years of experience (is that) you cannot really do that. You have to have a bit of a tax in order for the city to provide their core services.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淚 want to make sure that itSA国际影视传媒檚 within the capability of people to pay the taxes. ISA国际影视传媒檓 not really (for) high taxes but ISA国际影视传媒檓 (also not for) the low side. ISA国际影视传媒檓 always in the middle, where everyone can function.
Second, (is to) push for more land development. Third, would be ideas where we can invite new residents here. In the past, administration had so many wishes on a list. I think we need to focus on things that (are easily) achievable. You can promise a lot, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 one thing to say, and itSA国际影视传媒檚 another thing to do.
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Are there any other comments that you would like to add?
Just that ISA国际影视传媒檓 hoping that Yellowknife will give me another chance to serve them for the next four years.
