In 2004 Stacey Gaiga and her husband Franco made Port Alberni their home.
Under her former name, Stacey Robins, Gaiga approached council with several delegations, including one urging private forestry companies to adopt Crown forestry practices while logging Arbutus Ridge and Lizard Lake.
She also advocated to preserve our history by keeping the Martin Mars water bombers in the Alberni Valley. “This would ensure future economic diversification opportunities and protect our drinking water sources,” she said.
Most recently Gaiga has requested council to stop coal from coming to the community.
“Council’s refusal to support these important issues determined my decision to run for mayor and be part of the decision making process,” she said.
“Port Alberni has reached a critical point in its evolution and we are at a crossroad. This election is a real opportunity to focus on a new direction.”
As a self-employed executive search recruiter working with several municipal governments across B.C., Gaiga believes this is one of the greatest assets she has to offer.
She believes implementation of traditional governance, improved communications internally and externally, transparent and efficient operations will give rise to strong accountability.
“Once governance and communications are improved and a comprehensive operational audit is complete, only then will we be able to promote Port Alberni and attract potential investors,” she said.
Gaiga’s goal in her mayoral candidacy is to diversify the economy, create job opportunities, especially for youth and to establish less tax dependency on heavy industry. “I will make this vision a reality by using my extensive sales, marketing and municipal experience and knowledge,” she said.
“I pledge to listen and work with all the people of Port Alberni. We can restore the pride that once existed in all of us.”