In this episode of Non-Partisan Hacks: The Pulse Edition, Parksville councillors Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with Nanaimo councillor and former Regional District of Nanaimo board chair Tyler Brown to unpack what it really takes to run meetings that work, keep a 19-member board aligned, and steer governance without theatrics, gavels, or power plays.
Brown traces how Nanaimo moved from national-news dysfunction to a functional council, why “righting the ship” was only the beginning, and how the real work of a chair happens long before the meeting starts. He breaks down staff–council dynamics, the pressures elected officials actually face, and why healthy governance depends on clarity, preparation, and a steady hand.
Episode Highlights:
Why meetings fail and the quiet work that prevents them from going sideways
How to prepare for decisions when information is incomplete and emotions are high
What effective chairs do behind the scenes to keep debates productive
How councils can respect staff roles without surrendering decision-making
Why public anger escalates and how to set ground rules that protect everyone’s voice
Where B.C.’s Local Government Act falls short and why modernization matters for communities
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