MEET IAN
I have been honoured to serve as a Nanaimo City Councillor for the past eight years.
Prior to my election to Council I gained civic experience through three years as a member of the City of Nanaimo's Parks Recreation and Culture Commission.
During that time I chaired the Parks Committee and the Harewood Dry Floor Facility Committee, which spearheaded construction of the multi-sport covered lacrosse box at Harewood Centennial Fields. I also sat on the City's Grants Advisory Committee, and am on the Nanaimo Sports Hall of Fame Committee.
During my two terms as City Councillor, I have chaired the Public Safety Committee and the Nanaimo Parks, Recreation, and Wellness Committee. I currently sit on the District 68 Sports Field and Recreation Committee, the Nanaimo Port Authority/City Liaison Committee, the Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel, and the Protocol Agreement Working Group involving the City and Snuneymuxw First Nation. During the past year I was appointed to the Mayor's Leaders' Table as a member of the Infrastructure Working Group.
I am one of the City representatives on the Regional District of Nanaimo Board, where I was elected as vice-chair in 2016, and served two terms as RDN Board Chair in 2018-2020. As an RDN director I sit on the Liquid Waste Management Plan Committee and the Regional Parks and Trails Committee.
For the past eight years I have been Board Chair of the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District Board.
During my two four-year Council terms I have gained professional development by attending annual meetings of the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Among other conferences I attend each year the Vancouver Island Economic Summit. I have also benefitted from attending workshops sponsored by the Local Government Leadership Academy, and recently was awarded a Level 2 - Advanced Certificate in Local Government Leadership.
My experiences have given me many opportunities to demonstrate leadership skills, to learn about the principles of governance, and to work cooperatively as part of a team.
My past two terms on Council have given me valuable insight and knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing our beautiful city. I have learned much, and gained a great deal of experience. I have met many wonderful people. And it has been an honour for me to represent the City of Nanaimo. I ask your support in letting me continue to do so.
I am proud to be a third-generation Nanaimoite. Though my mother was born here, I was raised in Victoria, attending Oak Bay High School and the University of Victoria. While growing up I spent many holidays in Nanaimo with my cousins and other relatives, then did summer work in Nanaimo during my university years.
Following graduation from UVic in 1974, I moved back to Nanaimo and have lived here every since. I have a B.A. and Diploma in Education from UVic, and an M.A. from San Diego State University.
In 2021 I retired following a 35-year career as a teacher and school administrator, all of it here in Nanaimo, working in all areas of the city.
Along with teaching I worked in local broadcasting for many years here in Nanaimo for CHUB and CKEG radio stations, as well as volunteer work with Shaw Cable. For over forty years I have written a community sports column "The Thorpe Report" in the Nanaimo News Bulletin paper, and continue to enjoy this activity. I have also done contract work with the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
In all of my endeavours, I have been fortunate to have the support of my dedicated wife Ruth and our family, which now includes two wonderful grandchildren
Over the years I have been involved in many local sports organizations as a coach, official, and executive member. I have had the honour of being president of Junior Babe Ruth Baseball, the Nanaimo Curling Club, and the Nanaimo Lawn Bowling Club. I am an Honourary Lifetime Member of the Nanaimo and District Youth Soccer Association, and am on the Nanaimo Curling Club's Honour Roll. I have been involved in all three B.C. Summer Games hosted in Nanaimo, as Medals Chair in 2002 and Sergeant-at-Arms for the Games in 2014. Also in 2014 I had the privilege of receiving a Community Sports Hero Award from Sport B.C.
I have served as a director of the Nanaimo Harbour City Seniors. I am also proud to be a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion, and for the past six years have had the honour to emcee the annual Remembrance Day ceremony in downtown Nanaimo. I am a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Nanaimo North, and through Rotary participate in volunteer work at the Salvation Army New Hope Centre. Among other volunteer work I am a coordinator of the News Bulletin's "Coins for Kids" charity fundraiser, and am a regular blood donor.
Recreational activities I enjoy include reading, walking/jogging, curling, lawn bowling, and golfing.
