Regional council candidates

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 307, 3 October 1989, Page 13

Regional council candidates

The following are profiles submitted to the Bulletin in Ruapehu constituent candidates for the new Manawatu/Wanganui Regional Council. Keith Chapple The subject of Regional Council funding emerged as a dominant concern at a Meet the Candidates meeting in Taumarunui on Wednesday 13 September 1989. Seven candidates for the Manawatu Wanganui Regional Council addressed the meeting. Regional Council candidate Keith Chapple, of Kakahi, in reply to a question from the floor said,: "It is time to look at new ways of funding regional government. Most people are not aware that the Government has transferred many duties and responsibilities to Regional Councils which were previously handled by central Government agencies or Ministries. "If Regional Government is to be effective and work for the good of the people it is important they are properly and adequately funded. Regional Councils should not become an intolerable financial burden on ratepayers." Mr Chapple suggested that an appropriate means of funding Regional Gouncils would be to divert, on a pro-rata basis, a percentage of income tax, G.S.T., petrol tax, company tax, etc. to the Councils. "It is very important," Mr Chapple later said, "that this taxsharing principle is established at the beginning. Regional Councils have been set up in a way that easily allows central Government to transfer further responsibilities. It is not difficult to imagine a situation where the Government would seize the opportunity to rid themselves of political hot potatoes such as Health, Social Welfare, Law & Order, and Education.

"If a fair tax-sharing system is not established, Regional Councils could easily be lumbered with huge financial and social problems, whilst the Government cream off the necessary funds to deal with them." Mr Chapple suggested that a tax-shar-ing system should be the subject of urgent inter-Regional Council negotiation, followed by a united representation to Government. Mr Chapple is 45, married and is involved in all submission stages of the Resource Management Law Reform. William Taylor "There is no room for complacence when we look at the changes about to take place in local and regional government. rapid change indeed," says regional council candidate Bill Taylor. "For the developments that have been thrust upon us work for our benefit here in the Ruapehu District, it is vital that people of energy, ability and diligence are elected on 14 October. It is of prime importance that our district secures its fair slice of the regional cake - and I am not too worried that this sounds parochial! Hence my willingness to stand for the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council. "The Ruapehu District is a large and diverse community. We are well removed, geographically, from the seat and centre of regional power - Palmerston North. The statutory functions of the regional council and its overview and control of regional resources in such areas as water catchment, drainage, regional planning, pest control and civil defence etc. will impinge upon us all and I am reasonably certain that in these areas Ruapehu concerns and needs will not be overlooked.

"However, regional government is in its infancy and it is not the initial responsibilities that solely concern me - i is what will in future devolve from central to regional government that should concern us all. Let us make no mistake about it; regardless of what will come, we will be paying for it! "It is in this stage of its development that effort is needed to make sure that our interests here receive full consideration regionally and that the charge, the cost for what will take place is pared to the bone. "It will be equally important to be vigilant in ensuring that unnecessary bureaucratic structures are not put in place simply for their own sake and in order to institute change. "My years as Mayor of Ohakune, member of the Wanganui United Council and of many other organisations have provided me with a background of experience for this new challenge. We are a unique area of significant potential. I am willing to use all my powers of persuasion and.a strong voice to ensure that our

development here in the Ruapehu District receives the attention it fully deserves." Brad Grimmer Brad Grimmer, 36, is married with three children, and has a sheep and cattle farm at Taumarunui. Mr Grimmer was elected onto the Taumarunui County Council in 1983. Since then he has served as Civil Defence controller for the County and was Chair-