City of Nanaimo Presents: The Sweet Layered Podcast

s01e11 - Mayor Leonard Krog!

It’s Mayor time! On this episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast we welcome City of Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog. We dig into the Mayor’s youth, influences growing up and his time as a BC Member of Legislative Assembly and Mayor of one of Canada’s fastest growing cities. His fun fact was a good one! 

s01e10 - Active Transportation!

Next up on The Sweet Layered Podcast is Sadie Robinson, the City’s Transportation Planning Specialist to give us the low-down on Active Transportation. We chat about sustainability plans to encourage walking, rolling, cycling and transit goals.
How do we get to be a multi-modal city? What is micro-mobility? What are rules of the road for cyclists and other one or two-wheeled devices? Why are bike lanes a contentious subject and who funds these projects? Tune in to find out!

s01e09 - Alternative Approval Process (AAP)

What is an AAP? Find out on this episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast where we welcome Sheila Gurrie, the City’s Director of Legislative Services. In a previous podcast we discussed the Public Works Yard Updates project and the reasons for the upgrade. This time around we discuss the process municipalities in BC utilize to seek funding for projects such as this.
Beginning Sept 18, 2024, the City is conducting an alternative approval process (AAP) to seek elector approval to borrow up to $90 million to finance the cost of replacing the fleet maintenance and crew/administration buildings at the public works yard. Project info: https://www.getinvolvednanaimo.ca/pwy-updates
What is the difference between an election, referendum and AAP and how would it apply to this process? How does one submit their opposition to the project and by when? What happens if the AAP passes or fails?
Listen to find out!
*Episode recorded on September 18, 2024

s01e08 - Public Works Yard Updates - Bill Sims

On this episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast, Bill Sims, the City’s General Manager of Engineering and Public Works, discusses the Public Works Yard Updates project. The original Public Works buildings were constructed in the 1960’s and evolved as Nanaimo’s population grew from less than 45,000 in 1980 to over 107,000 in 2023. We learn more about buildings past its useful life too small to accommodate current staffing levels, not seismically safe and undersized mechanic bays unable to fit fleet vehicles such as fire and sanitation trucks. Why is the City looking at this project now after decades of discussions? What is the projected cost to taxpayers and how has this differed from previous plans? Tune in to find out.

s01e07 - Commercial Street upgrades - James Knight

On this episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast, we welcome James Knight, the City's Capital Project Management Specialist, to discuss the exciting Commercial Street upgrade in downtown Nanaimo. The project, also named Design Commercial, aims to refresh the downtown core by improving accessibility, replacing aging infrastructure and enhancing spaces for community events. The revitalization will create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly destination that supports local businesses and fosters a thriving, dynamic downtown. Listen to find out more about the years-long process to get to this point and whether he is related to Jonathan and Jordan Knight from New Kids On The Block!

s01e06 - Kamal Parmar - Poet Laureate

Join us as we chat with Kamal Parmar, the City’s Poet Laureate whose work spans Haiku poetry and creative non-fiction. Kamal's writing reflects her journey from India to Canada, exploring themes like childhood memories, the Canadian prairies and her mother's battle with Alzheimer's. With publications across the UK, Canada and India and several books to her name, Kamal is a vibrant part of the literary community. She is active in various writers' organizations and has played a key role in Nanaimo's cultural scene, making this episode a rich exploration of her creative life.

s01e05 - Paige Pierce - Youth Poet Laureate

On this episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast, Paige Pierce, Nanaimo's Youth Poet Laureate for 2024-2026 shares stories of her youth, how her love of reading lead to publishing numerous books and her early start to writing poetry. What is her goal as Youth Poet Laureate? Listen to find out.
The City of Nanaimo's Youth Poet Laureate serves as a “young people’s poet”, raising awareness of poetry, the literary arts and the positive impact literature and poetry can have on community life.

s01e04 - Nanaimo 150!

In December 1874, the City of Nanaimo became the sixth municipality to be incorporated in British Columbia. Fast forward to 2024 and Nanaimo is known to be one of the fastest growing cities in Canada. 150 years of incorporation provides a chance to highlight the City's success and recognize its citizens and community partners who have contributed to Nanaimo’s vibrancy over the last 150 years.
Nanaimo has a rich history dating back before its time as a coal mining, forestry, tech and tourist hub. The Snuneymuxw First Nation resides in the centre of Coast Salish territory on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island and encompasses one of the most magnificent and resource rich areas at the heart of the Salish Sea. Since time immemorial, the Snuneymuxw People have resided in Snuneymuxw Territory as the first peoples.
In the booth is City of Nanaimo's Planner for community and heritage, Chris Sholberg and Christine Meutzner, the Manager for Nanaimo Archives.
*Nanaimo 150 logo created by artist Amy Pye