Local body elections: Councillor candidate profiles
The GB Weekly invited the candidates for the Golden Bay ward to submit something about themselves. We asked in them to say what they think the main issues are and what they will do if they are elected.
Alan Blackie
My wife and I run the Beachcomber Motel in Collingwood. We’ve been in the Bay for five years. Prior to moving here I spent nine years as a councillor on the Waimakariri District Council. My previous experience on another council, including chairing Resource Consent hearings, plus being self-employed for the past 30 years, gives me the experience and insight necessary to fully represent you on council. Should I be elected, you will be assured of a councillor who will keep an open mind on all issues and be questioning of any reports, etc, coming before council for debate. I have always lived in small communities and understand the unique needs of them and rural areas.
Three key issues of several I will be addressing if elected:
· Debt: Council’s burgeoning debt is a major concern. Debt at the end of this financial year will total about $150m and is currently forecast to rise to $200m over the next three years. This is unaffordable and I will be urging council to address this issue.
· Consultation: Currently council has a habit of only consulting the public on issues after the planning is finished. This leaves us on the back foot and fighting against council for our rights. I will make every endeavour to have council change this so that we have our say before major decisions are made.
· Community boards: I will fight for our community boards to be given delegation to carry out a range of functions for the council, thus involving more people in the decision- making process and bringing that process closer to our communities.
While I’m not saying I’ll be the knight in shining armour on a white steed if elected to council, I believe that through sound reasoning and robust debate, I can influence change for the better. Vote Blackie for change.
Martine Bouillir
Communication: I want to see better relationships between Nelson and Tasman Councils, councillors, community boards and the constituents. One of the first things I will do if elected will be to set up an online forum where I can network and keep the community informed, from my perspective, as to what is going on in council. Locals can have a say, share their ideas and brainstorm contentious issues. There’s a high degree of intelligence, wisdom and experience in the Bay which council should be tapping into. I’m confident in my ability to facilitate such a forum.
Social responsibility must underlie all Council policy.
Water is going to become one of the most pressing issues of our time. I’m opposed to any control, regulation, adulteration or privatisation of our water. Similarly, the health and protection of our waterways and seas are paramount.
Sewerage: The intended plan is wrong. The whole placement and how Takaka sewerage is treated needs rethinking. We need on-site consultation with engineers, iwi and local expertise to look at alternative solutions.
Joan Whiting Rest Home: We need a skilfully facilitated meeting with our MPs, DHB, JW Trust, Integrated Health Centre and associated parties to insist the government accept its social responsibility and keep the rest home operational until the Integrated Health Centre is established. There are no excuses considering the short time frame and small amount of money required.
Amalgamation: I don’t think that adopting yes/no stances are the most helpful way to go. What is it that we value if we are ‘for’ or ‘against’ amalgamation? Savings in costs; reduction of bureaucratic processes and staff; local solutions for local issues; autonomy, equal representation and better consultation for small communities? All of these things can be achieved within either model – it’s how we do it that matters. We need to see how the figures stack up when the report comes through and any changes must be highly and effectively debated. We must have maximum say in which direction we are heading and only endorse a model that empowers smaller communities. We need to be putting submissions in now.
Stuart Borlase
Thank you for the opportunity to present my thoughts to the readers of The GB Weekly.
I guess the most pressing thing on councillors/candidates minds is to get the elections out of the way. Following along closely is the need to commence dialogue with the community board in an all-out effort to improve the relationship with the board. The relationship the council has experienced has been less than ideal and it is up to all of us, the council and the community board, to look for real improvement.
The ongoing development of Port Tarakohe will require tenacity and fortitude but it is an investment that will reap dividends in the future. I applaud the building of a second marina as marinas have a reputation for being very profitable from day one. We have a waiting list of 40 boat owners without any advertising of the new facility. The new marina will have 40 berths and a second stage will commence when a similar waiting list accumulates.
Probably the biggest issue facing council over the next three years will be fronting up to the realities of the current world economic crisis. The TDC has a debt that is expected to reach around $140 million by the end of this financial year. The council’s assets are valued at a little over $1 billion. The TDC self-imposed Treasury regulations stipulate that we are not to spend more than 20% of our annual income on debt servicing (interest and principal) and presently we are spending between 12 and 13%, so the present position is comfortable.
Debt is expected to continue to rise however for the next 10 years to around $250million. Much of council spending goes into good solid assets that will be around for many decades and the value of these will probably be $1.25 billion. There is no reason why the present generation should pay for all of these assets; future generations will also be using them and should pay their share of the cost.
Unlike a family farm or business, council will continue to be there into the future.
Noel Riley
I offer myself for re-election as a councillor for Tasman District Council for a third term.
Everyone who knows me, knows that I am my own person, “what you see is what you get”. I do not, and will not, use other candidates’ “coat tails” in an attempt to gain favour from the electors.
I have been available over the last term, on the last Friday of every month to all ratepayers and residents, both young and old, who may wish to discuss or raise any matter with me, either in Takaka or in Collingwood.
I am always able to be contacted outside those days at my home address, phone (525 9164) or email kathnoel@xtra.co.nz
My wife Kath and I chose to make Golden Bay our permanent home.
I support all aspects of a healthy lifestyle and to that end I am active in a number of community organisations for our mature residents, but more importantly with youth facilities and sporting and outdoor activities.
With more than 25 years’ experience in local government, not only in the practical field, but also in senior management, my proven skills and common sense to all issues is well known.
I am passionate about preserving the outstanding geographical, historical and environmental features of Tasman District, especially in Golden Bay.
I will continue to work for the development of Port Golden Bay (Tarakohe) along with Takaka Airport, and to ensure rates are affordable for all, and ongoing debt reduction in the future.
I promise to continue to the best of my ability, to act in best interests of Golden Bay and the Tasman District Council. I look forward to your support in electing me again as your Golden Bay councillor on the Tasman District Council.
Paul Sangster
I have lived happily with my wife, Gilda, in Takaka for the past 40 years. I am proud of my three children and nine grandchildren who also live in the Bay. I have been, and am very involved with many clubs and organisations. I am a foundation member of Rockville Museum, Pupu Hydro Soc, GB Information Centre and life member of GB Promotions. I fundraised for the high school gymnasium, 1269 radio GB, was instigator for Labyrinth Rocks park, pony club grounds, Collectable Vehicle club rooms and Senior Net’s home. I was involved with the rugby club, soccer club and helped establish a league ground, which is now used for soccer. I have been happy to help and promote many clubs and was a member of the Takaka Business Association and ran or helped with the market days and Christmas parades over many years. I, with others, put up the Christmas decorations for 16 years which have sadly not been displayed for the last 5 years. I was a member of the Takaka Citizens Band for 14 years and the Barbarian Band for 26 years. I’ve been an active member of the drama club and a member of a number of dance bands for 42 years. I have worked hard for the development of Tarakohe Harbour which is now described as the jewel in our crown. In the last six years (though not on council) I have been involved with the protection of our four wharves, the stop bank in Takaka and Variation 57 which would have stopped all building in Takaka township and surrounding area. It was successfully overturned in the environment court.
We fought this with no help from our two councillors or community board.
I am very interested in the history of the Bay and have the knowledge and commitment along with the drive and ability to get things done.
Things I would like to achieve are a better relationship between the community board and TDC, street scaping in Collingwood and Takaka, engineering input for Takaka stop bank, residential planning, and river work plan.
