John Ruttan - Candidate for Mayor

John Ruttan is a Canadian citizen. He was born in Anchorage, Alaska and moved to Victoria BC to attend elementary school. He moved to Nanaimo in 1962 to open and manage an office for Trans Credit Corp. He has been married to his wife Dianne for over 40 years. They have two grown children, Ryan and Lisa. John’s father, Charles H. Ruttan, was a partner and founder of Alaska Star Airlines, which continued as Alaska Airlines.

Education:

John attended Monterey Elementary, Oak Bay High School and Victoria College.

Employment History (Nanaimo):

       -    Mayor - City of Nanaimo – 2008 to present

         -     Chairman, Progress Board for Nanaimo Economic Development Commission

         -     Director, Regional District of Nanaimo – 2008 to present

         -     President of Ruttan Holdings Ltd. - 1993 to present

-       Owner of Nanaimo Travel & Cruise – 1980 to 2012

-       President of Seafun Divers Ltd. - 1972 to 1997

         -     Branch Manager of Trans Canada Credit Corp. - 1959 to 1973

 

Recent/Current Community Activities (Nanaimo):

       -   2008 Citizen of the Year - Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce Sterling Awards

         -    Chairman – Support YCD Committee (Nanaimo Airport expansion project)

         -     Former Director – Nanaimo & District Museum Society

-       Former Chairman – Community Policing Advisory Board (CPAC)

-       Treasurer and Past Commodore – Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society

-       Member and Past Director – Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce

-       Member and Past Director – Nanaimo City Centre Association

-       Member – Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Area (DNBIA)

-       Former Member – Destination Nanaimo Steering Committee

Previous Community Activities (Nanaimo):

-       Chairman (Municipal Appointee) - Nanaimo Port Authority

-       Commissioner (Federal Appointee) - Nanaimo Harbour Commission

-       Chairman of Port Advisory Committee (PAC)

-       Past President of Tourism Nanaimo

-       Former Member of Nanaimo Conference Centre Committee

-       Past Member of Nanaimo Parking Commission/Downtown Development Committee

-       Former Government Appointee for British Columbia Travel Advisory Board

-       Former Member of Nanaimo Downtown Rotary Club

-       Former Member of Nanaimo North Rotary Club

-       Former Member of City of Nanaimo “Imagine Nanaimo” Committee

-       Former Vice President of Nanaimo Jaycee Club

-       Former Member and Pilot of Nanaimo Flying Club

Experience

 John Ruttan seeks re-election for the next four years in order to successfully oversee the completion of projects initiated under his leadership as Mayor. This also includes continued relationship-building with First Nations, Provincial and Federal authorities; encouraging local and foreign investment; the Fast Ferry project linking Nanaimo and Vancouver; the ‘Nanaimo Conference Centre Hotel’ next phase of development - among many other important projects.

Experience Highlights:

 - Ruttan’s previous six years on City Council has established significant initiatives for Nanaimo

 - He has worked successfully in bringing interest from foreign and local investors to Nanaimo

 - He has worked with City Council and City staff to ensure that the new growth in Nanaimo is managed in a careful and prudent manner

 - Ruttan has worked with foreign investors to establish the downtown Nanaimo Conference Centre Hotel’s next phase of development with a major Chinese international tourism group - SSS Manhao

 - The ‘Passenger Fast Ferry’ proposal continues to move forward. This proposal outlines the benefit of the City having acquired the downtown Wilcox property that will facilitate easy access to the ferry and as well, a possible future transportation hub for downtown Nanaimo

 - Over his past two terms Ruttan has worked with Snuneymuxw First Nation Chiefs and Council to provide a working relationship to better understand and address the needs of both communities

 - He has established ongoing relationships with all levels of government – First Nations, Federal, Provincial and Municipal

 - Ruttan has worked closely with the Board of Nanaimo Airport Commission during the airport expansion that took place in his first and second term; he supported the Nanaimo Port Authority’s new facility expansion and specifically the new Cruise Ship Terminal. He attends and greets passengers on every cruise ship visiting Nanaimo.

Highlights of Nanaimo City Council’s Accomplishments –2011 to 2014

- City of Nanaimo School District 68 – Protocol Agreement – traded land benefitting both the City and School District

 - ‘Nanaimo Transportation Master Plan’ identified future transportation needs for Nanaimo into 2020

 - Acquisition of 27.7 acres of Canadian Pacific Railway Company land, known locally as the Wilcox Rail Property located at port Drive. This land acquisition will benefit future plans for a transportation hub for Nanaimo.

 - Approval of a 60-year lease to Pacifica Housing Advisory Assoc. for supportive housing in Nanaimo.

Vision

My vision for Nanaimo is motivated by my passion for the region and its well being, as well as the economic success for our community.

I am running in this election for a third term as Mayor, in order to serve Nanaimo through its next phase of sustained growth. I wish to lead our city and council with my experience and thoughtful leadership, building on the accomplishments of my previous mandates.

My vision for Nanaimo is to forge continued investment in the region, leading to economic growth that is good for Nanaimo and is thoughtfully planned and executed.

My wish is to “finish the job” by leading the successful completion of on-going flagship projects for the city.

My priorities for the next term as Mayor are:

• To maintain the momentum that has been built over the past six years. Importantly, we need to continue to build relationships with investors both local and foreign, and to promote the value of investing in Nanaimo.
•  Our community partners are an integral part of plans to move forward.  I believe that continued respectful relationship building with all levels of government is essential to the success of investment for our community.
• 
  
• To work collaboratively with Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) to develop and expand areas of mutual interest.
•  A priority for me is to explore potential opportunities that could be realized on Newcastle Island for SFN. Aboriginal tourism offers tremendous potential for everyone.
• 
  
• 
  
• To develop a comprehensive plan for Wilcox property recently purchased by the City of Nanaimo.

 This is a unique opportunity to create a transportation hub for Nanaimo which could encompass a local bus exchange; docking facilities for a fast passenger ferry service to Vancouver; the possible re-establishment of rail service directly from Wilcox Yard to Victoria; and a long distance bus terminal for service such as Greyhound and Tofino Bus Co.

 Vision Highlights

• Attract investment and promote prosperity and opportunity for our city and the region
• The plans and direction are in place for a vibrant Nanaimo – now we need to move forward
• Projects have been initiated that are significant to the future growth for Nanaimo - we need to work to complete what has been started
• There is an influx of investment from off shore however our community will need to identify projects that have real value for Nanaimo
• Continue to support the assignment of 1% of taxes - to offset replacement and expansion of infrastructure costs -  as a city reserve to fund the ever-increasing costs that the city is experiencing
• Focus support for local Aboriginal Tourism. Snuneymuxw First Nation has proud history, culture and languages that can be shared with our community and visitors to our community
• Expand and enhance Nanaimo’s Community Charter to ensure all objectives have been met

Contact :

http://www.electjohnruttan.ca

email: info@electjohnruttan.ca

cell: 250-739-3040