Golden Bay Ward by-election candidates: Part 1
The GB Weekly will be publishing a two-part series for the by-election in the Golden Bay Ward.
This week the candidates have been invited to make a 500-word submission.
Next week questions will be provided. Our readers are welcome to submit questions by midday Saturday 10 September. Email to <gbweekly@ihug.co.nz>.
Laurence Boomert
Golden Bay needs a councillor that has X-factor leadership qualities for helping this community get through the challenging times ahead. I put myself forward as a tough, innovative, fiercely loyal, future-thinking candidate - your best asset as we hit 2012. My priorities as your candidate:
Democratic representation: Whatever council structure we have to work with, I will work to ensure the democratic rights of the people of Golden Bay are upheld. The Community Board will be treated with the respect it deserves and delegated the maximum decision-making power for the Bay.
Social wellbeing: A council’s job is not just some flat-footed bureaucratic focus on roads and rubbish. Smart councils work to build healthier, more caring and better-connected communities, engaging all members and networks within the community.
Encouraging enterprise: Part of council’s role must be to help foster economic development in the region both through protecting our existing industries as well as exploring new opportunities. GB needs a fairer share of the business development dollars that are being spent in the wider region.
Protecting our environment: More than in most places, our environment is central to our economy, the quality of our lives and our essential human spirits. As a councillor I will be a dedicated and careful guardian.
Future-proofing: New Zealand, like all other countries, is facing a period of extended crisis through climate change, energy shocks and chronic economic volatility. Civil Defence needs to be able to respond to disruptions of a longer duration. Council needs to have the foresight and flexibility to help its people and industries get through tough times. This is a core area of my expertise.
Financial management: TDC has a debt crisis. There needs to be immediate full public disclosure on the debt exposure of TDC. Greater economic caution is required for all future expenditure, and alternative mechanisms of raising capital such as Local Government Bonds need to be explored.
Amalgamation: Whatever happens, greater delegation to the community board is essential.
Asset sales: No assets to leave community ownership.
Integrated family health centre: A bit more consultation is needed, after which we need to get this facility built. I see merit in also building a mixed-need retirement village close to the hospital to meet the broader needs of our aging population.
New multi-purpose cultural and recreation centre: I am keen to see this community project realised.
My background: My varied experience gives me understanding of the many different perspectives represented in Golden Bay, not just some single-focused lobby group. I have been a lifestyle farmer, commercial horticulturalist, restaurant owner, consultant to business, a landscaper, even a television presenter on Maggie’s Garden Show. In the mid 90s I set up the NZ Environmental Business Network that grew to represent over 500 very different companies. I currently run a website of community can-do success stories from around NZ: <www.realsolutions.org.nz> <http://www.realsolutions.org.nz/>. I live in Rototai with my wife and three children.
Sue Brown
In standing for election as councillor for Tasman District Council I offer an independent new voice.
Amalgamation: The concept of union with Nelson, our neighbouring district council, was quite agreeable to me until I read the Local Government Commission draft proposal and considered the effects for Golden Bay. My concerns are that the draft proposal:
· Was unclear about the effect of union on rates.
· Strengthens representation at one level (community boards) at a cost of reduction of representation at another level (council).
· Replaces two complementary channels of representation to an accessible district council with two tiers of governance.
· Reduces Golden Bay’s representation at the council table and disadvantages rural representation district-wide.
A more balanced proposal may yet be offered and/or amalgamation may be voted for or against. Whatever the LGC process outcomes are, Golden Bay will remain a special place within a wider region. My motivation and commitment to work to support a healthy, affordable and thriving environment for all Golden Bay residents and ratepayers is independent of any changes that may, or may not, happen to the governance structure that underpins our council’s democratic processes.
Rates/debt/services and facilities: The rates we pay, the level of debt we service and the services and facilities we enjoy are all interrelated. Granted, good facilities help communities thrive, but given economic realities our community can no longer afford the sizeable rates increases of Tasman District Council in recent years.
Golden Bay’s future: Golden Bay is a treasure, truly the heart of the parks. Protection of its physical beauty is an integral part of our future. However, it’s also home to approximately 5000 residents who earn considerably less than the national average. Good and sustainable enterprise and economic growth are needed to provide employment opportunities and community wellbeing.
Brief bio: I lived in Motupipi for my first seven years as my Dad worked at the Tarakohe cement works. I grew up in Richmond and lived in the Stoke/Tahunanui areas until returning to the Bay in 1993. I have worked mainly in administration roles. I now work alongside my partner, John Nalder, dairy farming at Ferntown. We are parents to a teenage daughter as well as two adult children.
I recently completed the Agri-Women’s Development Trust’s year-long Escalator Course, a leadership and governance development programme which included the NZ Institute of Directors Essentials Course covering the topics of governance, finance and strategy.
I’ve served as treasurer and president of Collingwood Playcentre and Nelson Playcentres Association. I am a director of the Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board, Golden Bay Federated Farmers Dairy Sector chair, and a trustee of Collingwood Area School. Also, I am farmer spokesperson for the Aorere Catchment Project, a group of dairy farmers involved in addressing water quality.
I am available to discuss community concerns. If you elect me then I will work as an active, balanced and committed councillor.
Contact me at home on 524 8038 or by email <suebrown@ihug.co.nz>.
Paul Sangster
Having previously served 18 years on Tasman District Council, I have the knowledge and ability to step right in and do the job without delay. I have proved in the past to be committed, hard-working and energetic. I would like the opportunity to offer my past experience to work through the issue of the proposed amalgamation of Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council. I am not in favour of an amalgamation as I do not see any cost-saving benefits and I am very concerned that Tasman’s rates will rise as a result. In saying that, I have a fear that, as in 1989, we will be told that we have to join with Nelson, referendum or not. I would like the opportunity to voice this concern and work through the proposal with both councils.
I feel there is a need to review the building and resource consent fees, the time it takes to get answers and the number of staff involved with each application.
There is a strong need to review the charges for refuse and green waste disposal, and I believe that this can be managed far more efficiently.
I would like the opportunity to encourage council to increase their tar-sealing programme for Golden Bay.
I have many ideas for job opportunities in such areas as an increase in aquaculture and tourism activities and wish to promote these to the community and council.
I believe that the community board should have some delegated authority and will endeavour to work towards this and to take the community’s concerns and requests to Richmond in a strong and just manner.
Other concerns I have are rivers, wharves, aerodrome and wastewater disposal.
Through my association with many organisations, clubs and social activities I am available to a large cross-section of the community.
I have a heart for the Golden Bay community, an in-depth knowledge of its history and a passion for its future.
I commit myself to represent this community in an honest, firm and logical way.
Mik Symmons
My name is Mik Symmons. For those of you who don’t know me, I will outline some of the community groups and initiatives that I am involved with.
· GBHS Board of Trustees
· Secretary, Golden Bay Housing Trust
· Chair, Village Theatre Society
· Search and Rescue volunteer
· Secretary, Hamama water supply committee
· TDC appointee, GB Medical Centre Trust
· Secretary, Golden Bay Community Health – Te Hauora o Mohua
· Committee member, Golden Bay Organic Employment and Education Trust
· Funding applications for Golden Bay Association Football Club
I have always enjoyed being active in the community, and it is the countless hours that people volunteer for all sorts of projects that help make the Bay such a special place to live in. Being involved with all these different groups keeps me in touch with a really diverse cross-section of the community, which helps me get a good reading of how people feel about different issues.
I have always had an interest in local politics and I am currently on the Golden Bay Community Board, and as a board rep I get to meet with even more voluntary groups and individuals! Being on the board has been a great experience. We make a good team and have worked hard to build a better working relationship with the Tasman District Council. I believe we have made a big difference to the way the board is able to participate in the council process. It is still early days, but already we receive more information, are able to attend more workshops, get more staff briefings and have speaking rights at council meetings. This is significant progress.
One of the reasons I am standing for council is because I want to build on these newly established relationships, to ensure that all councillors understand the advantages of working collaboratively with the board, and to ensure that decisions that affect the Bay have been reached with good local input.
I am convinced that I can do a good job as a councillor and am prepared to put in the time and energy to negotiate the best possible results for the Bay and the wider region.
We are now one year into the council term, with the review of the long-term plan already underway. This is one of the few opportunities available to tweak some of the spending and alter some of the priorities. I have made it my business to know what is going on in council, doing lots of reading and research, so if you elect me I can hit the ground running and be effective right away. I was able to attend all the training and induction sessions given to new councillors, so I already know who is who, and what they do.
I couldn’t consider standing for council, or maintain my level of community involvement, without the support of my wife Doris and our two boys. We love living here in Hamama, and I want to help to keep the Bay a great place to live.
