Waimarino candidates

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 307, 3 October 1989, Page 9

Waimarino candidates

David S Grifffiths - Waimarino Ward District Council candidate Occupation: Farmer. Education: B.AG.SC Degree, Massey University. Previous local government experience: Councillor for the duration of Waimarino District Council. Prior to that two years Councillor, Waimarino County. Previous committee/leadership experience: Current Chairman of Noxious Plants Authority, Hydatids Authority, Ruatiti Domain Committee. Sports! interests hobbies: Some fishing and some golf. Douglas Stephen Bennett - Waimarino Ward District Council candidate Occupation: Farmer. Education: Secondary at Wanganui. Previous local government experience: 18 years Waimarino County & District Councils, 7 years Wanganui Rangitikei Power Board. Previous committee! leadership experience: Town planning, Works W.C.C., Finance W.D.C. Sports! interests hobbies: No answer to this question.

M.J. Compton - Waimarino Community Board candidate Occupation: Stock & Station Industry. Education: Victoria University, Wellington. Previous local government experience: Raetihi Borough Council, Waimarino District Council. Previous committee! leadership experience: Chairman Finance Raetihi Borough Council; Deputy Mayor Raetihi Borough Council; Chairman Sports & Recreation Grants Committee Waimarino District Council. Sportslinterests hobbies: Hockey, cricket, Cosmo Club, reading, painting and nude modelling. What is the function of a councillor? GRIFFITHS: To act in the interest of ratepayers and the Ruapehu District, particularly in relation to the Ward that councillor represents. BENNETT: To listen to citizens and ratepayers - give everyone fair consideration - take their concerns and requirements to Council and management - formulate policy and monitor performance and expenditure. of the council? GRIFFITHS: To set policy and make executive staff accountable for the performance of council functions.

BENNETT: To operate and maintain essential services on behalf of community. To provide finance to fund Council operations. To discharge statutory obligations. To undertake other duties with community agreement. What is the function of a community board member? COMPTON: T o serve the interests of electors and ratepayers. of the community board? COMPTON: T o oversee and watchdog both duties and obligations of District Council to the Boards community of interest. Why do you feel you are competent to spend other people's money jie rates)? GRIFFITHS: I don't spend them. I monitor their expenditure (Rates). BENNETT: Because I consider I operate a successful farming business and through my involvement in public affairs beginning with Raetihi School Committee in 1964 I have been involved with estimates and setting rates and overseeing expenditure on W.C.C. & W.D.C. since 1971. What are the major issues facing the Ruapehu District? GRIFFITHS: 1 . Unity. 2. Administration costs, in relation

to services returned to ratepayers for rates charge ie, value for money. BENNETT: Setting up rating system for Ruapehu District Council. Managing of effects of Transport Bill at present before Parliament. Tourism. What are the major issues facing your ward? COMPTON: Discontent on staff level appointments. Where do you think savings will be made as a result of this amalgamation? GRIFFITHS: There will be very few savings seen. The enormous costs of amalgamation will negate any potential savings to ratepayers. BENNETT: Rationalisation of ad-

ministration - utilisation of professional expertise within the Council will reduce need for consultants better utilisation of plant. What are your priorities for your ward? GRIFFITHS: A strong, business like community board. BENNETT: Ohakune water treatment without stage 2 new district planning scheme wider public involvement in Tourism. Improvements to Pipiriki Road - in the longer term, extension of seal as rural economy permits. COMPTON: To serve the ratepayers interests by reducing the non accountibility of staff management. Turnpage 10

Waimarino candidates

From page 9 for the new district? GRIFFTIHS: Try to come to grips with the forced amalgamation. BENNETT : To get an effective and efficient administration operating as soon as possible. COMPTON: To make sure the best job possible of a hastily contrived amalgamation. Will you be aiming to look after the interests of just your ward or the whole district? GRIFFITHS: I will represent the interests of ratepayers in my ward but it is most important that councillors make decisions that

will benefit the whole district. BENNETT: This requires the Councillor to ensure that the needs and requirements of the Ward are incorporated in Council policy at District. Ward problems would be very important, but must be balanced with District interest. Do you support development for the region? GRIFFITHS: If you mean the Regional Council, I have some misgivings. BENNET: Yes, but ratepayers input would be very carefully assessed. COMPTON: In so far as it is not at the wards ex-

pense to the greater Ruapehu District. What about tourism development? GRIFFITHS: The area should be promoted in the summer a lot more. BENNETT: Tourist development has considerable potential. The 1990 project will give tourism to NZ a boost. Requires widespread community involvement to be effective and Councils role should be to assist tourism in specific items . COMPTON: No answer to this question. Are you a conservationist? If so, to what

degree? GRIFFITHS: There is a cost to conservation, but sensible conservation will have tremendous long term benefits for RDC area. BENNETT: Conservation must be supported to the exclusion of development. Must be a compromise on various issues. COMPTON: No answer to this question. What do you see in the future for this new district? GRIFFITH: Very hard to pick. there is no question that Taumarunui's sphere of interest will always tend north. BENNETT:

The creation of the new local authority will enable people to more readily identify with the neighbouring communities and this should help to develop a broader community of interest. COMPTON: No answer to this question. Which political party (if any) do you support? GRIFFITHS: I'm apolitical (but I've certainly had a gutsful of Labour, particularly the way the Local Government issue has been forced). BENNETT: National. I do not subscribe to party politics at local government level. COMPTON: No answer to this question.

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