Two mayoral candidates quizzed

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 306, 26 September 1989, Page 9

Two mayoral candidates

quizzed

Joseph William Murphy - District Council Mayoral candidate Occupation: Farmer. Education : Mangaweka Primary, correspondence and air force preliminaries, Taihape High School. Previous local government experience: 6 years Taumarunui County Council, member of works committee 3 years, Planning committee 3 years, presently chairman combined Hydatids committee - Airport committee. Previous committee/ leadership experie n c e : 14 years Okahukura School committee - most of this time chairman or sec., flyin£ officer R.N.Z.A.F., President Taumarunui R.S.A., 4 years V-Pres. 5 years, many years president Okahukura Hall - Ongarue Football Club, Transport Officer, Taumarunui St John 6 years, Director Kaitieki Dairy Co 8 years, Federated Farmers, Rugby Sub Union, foundation member of the reformed Taumarunui Aero Club, Avonlea Trust since it's formation currently on executive, currently King Country representative on the National Executive of The Chartered Club Association of New Zealand, active member of St John Ambulance Assn 30 years, Associate member of Waiouru Museum Society, Associate membe of Ambulance Officers Institute A.I.A.O., Life membe Taumarunui R.S.A. and Ongarue Football Club. Sports/ interests hobbies: A lifetime involvement in rugby at every level, 8 years masseur King Country rugby. Gordon George Mottram - District Council Mayoral candidate Occupation: Retired Company Director. Education: Various Ruapehu District

schools. Graduate (with Honours) University of Life. Previous local government experience: A great advantage I have and bring to the position is a total freedom from any involvement in past local government. Some other candidates like me, and successful applicants for iop management positions in other District Councils, will have the distinct advantage of being able to negotiate the most contentious matters. This is not to be taken as any criticism of the many fine officers who have given years of quality service. Indeed, many such officers have now been engaged by new authorities. The excellent balance of pragmatic rriarket-driven experience and the wealth of detailed knowledge augers well for a corporate type atmosphere at the Council table. Previous committee/leadership experience: 1969-74 Entertainments officer, American Club of Auckland, 1972-73 Vice president Auckland Kiwanis Club, 1973-74 President, Kiwanis Club of Avondale, 1974-75 President, Kiwanis Club of Henderson, 1975-76 Vice President, American Club of Auckland, 1984-86 Friend of the school committee, Mt Albert Grammar School, Auckland. 1988-89 Chairman, Waiouru Area Committee. Sports/interests hobbies: Game and trout fishing, some tennis, skiing (little and still learning!!) Questions What is the function of a district mayor? MURPHY: To be fully informed on all acts of parliament regarding local government. To maintain close liaison with all executive officers and ensure they carry out council policy. Chair council meetings in a fair and impartial manner. Liaison with the people. MOTTRAM:

Just as the new General Manager was chosen from a long list of top applicants, so should Electors be looking for the most experienced corporate-type Chief Executive Officer to act as the catalyst between the Community Boards on the one hand and Regional Councils on the other. Ideally, a proven record over many years in business and a full-time commitment to the task would be desirable. To achieve the most effective working relationship, the most important attitudes to have would be those of a "front-leading" and "change-tolerant" decisionmaker. of the council? MURPHY: To take a fair and unbiased view of the total district's needs, and allocate funds and resources accordingly. To direct mayor on matters of council concern and support him to take matters to highest level. MOTTRAM: By verbal and written communications, obtain, assess, report community objectives and overview performance. Report on completion. Some technical and problem-solving skills and understanding of work and supervisory methods will be needed. (a piece of land can produce a wide range of product .... it needs "inputting" expertise to do it). Why do you feel you are competent to spend other people's money (ie rates)? MURPHY: Having farmed on my own account for 44 years, I am fully aware of the need to get value for money. As a ratepayer - that which effects others - effects me. MOTTRAM: Because of the proven record of stewardship of my own funds. But it is not a one man band matter. The very best ratepayer and staff brains, when brought together on any fiscal policy, (using the very latest assessment methods), will produce the final choice of priority. What are the major issues facing the Ruapehu District? MURPHY: The first issue is to get a strong and united council - which must keep a vigilant eye on central government that we are not further depleted of funding and services.

MOTTRAM: I would strike the word "major" for I do not see any issue deserving of that term. The main issue that will need to be actively and promptly addressed is that of creating a new, unified attitude. I am confident that this will be developed sooner than some might think!! Where do you think savings will be made as a result of this amalgamation? MURPHY: Not one of the experts who have forced us into this amalgamation with such indecent haste has been able to show me of one penny saving - left to our own resources we will work on it. MOTTRAM: The short answer is in the way business will be done. I believe that proven ways exist right now. To state but one way, the tendering out the works and services areas, great savings, will be made. I will be cautious of rash predications, though, because the final workload and financial regimes are yet to come. What are your priorities for your ward? MURPHY: The reduction of unemployment, decrease in interest rates, increase in production and returns is the only way we can fund further roading development. MOTTRAM: Again, because of the existing structures vis-a-vis the Defence Dept and Rangitiki C. Cnl., and the R.D. Cncl., the determination of needs is unclear as yet for the new district? MURPHY: Exactly the same as above with the additional responsibility of acting as one to deal with central government and region to protect and develop our central facilities, such as hospital, main roads, etc. MOTTRAM: *Set up effective working relations. *Organise workflow. *Establish consultative system for all sectors. Do you support development for the region? MURPHY: Yes, this is our only hope - we can only live by production, and with large areas of undeveloped land and large .numbers of unemployed, we have the main ihgredients. MOTTRAM: Yes. Grow ...or fade away. A

well demonstrated principle. What about tourism development? MURPHY: Yes - with our mountains, rivers, forests and beautiful farmland we have the potential to do this. MOTTRAM: Town and country planning must be able to assist private capital to actively develop new tourist facilities. Marketing and small grants assistance where possible. Get the most done with the least words and delays. Are you a conservationist? if so, to what degree? MURPHY: only to a degree that measures do not encroach on the rights of individuals. I am opposed to the destruction of anything that is not for a good productive reason. MOTTRAM: Yes. Total support for retention of native timbers, flora and fauna. Stop pollution of rivers. What do you see in the future for this new district? MURPHY: Good, provided we can get interest rates down and not be overtaxed, overregulated, and overrated by central government and region. MOTTRAM: A prosperous future. Other centres

with less than a fraction of the resources of our district have promoted their region into a preferred destination for thousands of tourists. We can too!! Which political party (if any) do you support?

MURPHY: Unashamedly National, yet I strongly oppose the introduction of party politics into local government. MOTTRAM: Not an issue relevant to a candidate for local government.

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