Ruapehu District Election '95. For mayor:

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 605, 26 September 1995, Page 14

Ruapehu District Election '95. For mayor:

Mayoral Candidates

The following profiles and statements are contributed by the individual candidates and have been abridged for space reasons. Responsibility for the accuracy of statements rests with the candidates.

June works as a part-time tutor in business management at the Polytechnic in Taumarunui. She is employed part-time by the statistics department as an intervie wer in the Waimarino district. June's qualifications include a degree and diploma in education and a recent certificate in farm management. Maori language and culture is a strength and time management is her forte. She has never found it a problem to find time for voluntary work with: Red Cross, Meals-on-Wheels, Awhinunui Emergency House and Women' s Health Council, Mainstreet work . with Taumarunui Retailers and training and job action with Taumarunui Developmentlncorporated. Shealso works with Night Owls. In the past 10 years June has been involved in St John' s Ambulance (driver), hospital visiting (RSA roster), Rotary International (director of community services), and King Country Energy (elected trustee). Mrs Baker will bring skills of listening, communication and action to the job. Knowing meeting procedures, Treaty of Waitangi concepts and systems of accountability are a very big plus for any candidate. June intends to have organisations, especially retailers, work with council so that if people don't come to council then council will come to them. A commitment to incorporate Maori needs is important because at present she believes many Maori residents feel that council management is a hindrance rather than a help. She believes it does not need a change in policy to include everyone. It is simply a matter of making sure that people don't 'drop out'. Whether you are a farmer, a retailer or an unpaid worker she believes your district needs you. June has a reputation for getting the job done because she can persuade people to work for the community. In this climate of distrust of change she is sure that with her team she'll be there to look after everyone' s interests. Keith Chapple Keith is a resident of

Kakahi, aged 51 and a hospital worker. He was a key player in creating the Tongariro Forest Park; led a successful bid against Electricorp to put more water in the Whanganui Ri ver ; and was largely responsible for halting plans to demolish Taumarunui Hospital in 1992. His other interests are: presently, national deputy president of Forest and Bird and chairs its legal sub-committee and member of a number of consultative forums.

If elected mayor, the Ruapehu District could expect him to proceed with a sixpoint plan: • Resolve long-standing problems in local health issues. • Create wealth by promoting exisfing tourist strengths. • Sustain the existing farming base and lessen Bovine TB. • Promote forestry on a scale that doesn't threaten the farming base. • Promote local employment in the growth industries of tourism and forestry. • Support sympathetic developments and oppose threats to the environment. Keith believes health issues must be settled first. He believes the Government has removed itself from the public process by putting unelected bureaucrats between it and the people. He sees that these bureaucrats have split Ruapehu into three areas that are then treated like city suburbs. Keith believes health highlights other matters that point to local government having to act in the best interests of the district over a wider range of issues than before. He believes rural districts cannot expect to actively participate in New Zealand society or make progress unless they retain basic social infrastructure such as health services, education institutions, communications and roading. Keith sees that there is a belief that councils should restrict their activities to collecting rates, disposing rubbish and keeping the roads open. He believes that might have been OK a few years ago, but it no longer applies. As the government hands down more matters to local level, Keith believes that the range and scope of district council activities should change with it. Keith' s vision would see Ruapehu become aprosperous place, but he believes this will require a determined effort for a number

of years. His vision recognises the need to provide leadership in an environment that people can enjoy and in which they want to become involved.

My family have lived in the District from the early 1 900' s. My father was born and raised in Ohakune while my in Taumarunui, where she still lives. I was educated at Manunui Primary and Taumarunui High Schools. I have work experience from office to construction and have been a self-em-ployed builder for nearly 25 years. I am interested in most sports and played rugby, cricket and hockey and been a coach, umpire and administrator for hockey also. 1 have travelled widely, have worked in Australia and the USA and was in a Rotary volunteer team working in Tonga in 1982. I have a proven district focus having been the prime mover in the Ruapehu Sports Festival and the District Sports Awards. I have strongly supported the Winning Waimarino Proj ect and involved in Taumarunui 's Mainstreet programme which are very important for the future urban planned development. I will continue that strong non-paro-chial support. If elected I will devote as much time to the job of being mayor as the job requires, keeping in mind what is reasonable. The job is potentially 24 hours a day every day. I will spend time improving my knowledge of the District and its people. There will be a need for consultation on issues on a ward or district basis and this will be carried out as required. I will continue to research issues with a practical, common sense, fair approach before taking a stand, tempered by my experience. I will maintain a good relationship with elected members and encourage their participation. I will represent council' s views to other organisations and central government as strongly as the situation requires. I am confident that having had nine years' local government experience including the current term as deputy mayor that I am well qualified to carry out the duties and commitment required. I believe I have a good appreciation of the needs and aspirations of the district and will actively promote and support any soundly-based objectives.

I also believe that I have demonstrated the integrity necessary to carry out the functions of the office of mayor in a way that will benefit the whole community. I have the full support of my wife Lyn and I am sure that she will ably carry out any duties required of her.

Weston, 40, was born and raised in Taumarunui and he and his wife Annette have four children and own a town milk farm in Taumarunui. They are directors of KC Milk Ltd. His leadership skill has been tested as a health campaigner, being chairman of two health committees and of the Taumarunui Ward Committee. He states: "This district is a great place to live, work and raise a family, but in these tough times our community faces many threats — unemployment, lost services, declining population and fewer financial resources. "The council must play the leading role to meet these challenges, using its resources wisely and capitalising on its many strengths. It is the major responsibility of the Council to be the servant of the people, not their master." • Accountability: Ratepayers make a huge investment in their economic and social well-being. Weston promotes the review of all Council functions to ensure they are efficient and meet the standards set by top performing businesses. "The present management structure should be tested and analysed by an independent body to prove management is reaching the bestresult. Representatives need to have input into the direction management is taking ensuring cost-effec-tiveness and accountability. • Fairness: Council services must meet the needs of all ratepayers on an equitable basis. The roading policy should focus on bringing all roads up to an acceptable standard rather than spending a lot on fewer roads. Maintenance and metal application is of major concern. The roading policy should be reviewed in consultation with ratepayers. • Health: Rural health services are under a constant threat. His knowledge on health issues will assist him with the necessary leadership required to address this complex issue. Pressure needs to be applied td health authorities to recognise and understand rural

health requirements. The mayor must initiate contractual arrangements between the community and health authorities to sustain the required health service. • Tourism: Growth in the area of tourism needs fostering and promotion. TO ensure the Council keeps up with development planning, marketing and regulatory must be more localised and more accessible. The planning department in particular needs to be more prominent in growth areas. The role of mayor is a full- time position, which he is prepared and able to do with honour, commitment and integrity.

Don lives in Taumarunui but believes we are all part of the Ruapehu District regardless of where we live and this needs to be uppermost in the mirtds of ratepayers and residents when they cast their vote. TO ratepayers and voters in the W aiouru, Waimarino, National Park and Ohura wards he hasn' t had the time to speak to, he assures that, if elected, he would ensure that equal personal effort would be applied to the whole district. Don encourages ratepayers and residents to vote for the person who they consider will give the district the best leadership and satisfaction. He believes it is equally important that ratepayers and residents exercise their right to vote. In the past many people have not bothered and he sees this as very disappointing. One of the issues attracting attention is whether we will end up with Hospital services bearing some resemblance to those we have been used to in the past. He believes the profit-driven health chiefs will make the final decision, but if he is elected, it is his intention to pursue objectives on matters pertaining to health facilities with renewed vigour. He believes the people of the district should not be treated as second-class citizens because of the low population base and geographical situation. He is concerned about rates. The comments he has heard most are that people feel they are not getting value for money; the roads areamess; rates cannot keep increasing; there are too many highly paid chiefs; the ratepayers are not being listened to; the economy is very tight at the moment; incomes are a lot lower. Don says that these important issues along with many others will receive his

undivided attention. He cannot give any guarantees but if he was elected mayor he would take a complete businesslike approach to thejob. He has had many successful years' business experience in private enterprise and five years of local government, three of these as chairman of the Taumarunui Ward Committee. He believes he has. what it takes to lead a strong council for a better and united Ruapehu District.

Joe Murphy is "the only mayoral candidate with rural roading experience". Joe see's the mayor' s position as one of leadership in all matters of council and community affairs. He believes it calls for strong representations in placing council concerns before the appropriate government departments, with particular regard to Transit New Zealand and health authorities. He believes it calls for the upholding of the rule of law and equality for all citizens. As a fourth generation New Zealander, with 50 years spent in this district he considers he is Tangatu Whenua, with the advancement of New Zealand, the Ruapehu District and its descendants as his prime aim. He believes we must continue to build on what our forefathers left us. Joe realises that all councillors were put there by the ratepayers and residents as their representatives to voice their concerns, and further the advancement of the district. He would endeavour to display noblesse oblige befitting the position at all times. The district has an annual budget of $15 million, $120,000 of which was spent last year as the cost of running the mayor' s office, and a further $600,000 the cost of running other councillors' activities and committees. For this kind of money he believes ratepayers expect and deserve qual- - ity representation. This is the first area where he would endeavour to cut costs. He thanks God, and his parents for the life, the love and the luck they have gi ven him and is also thankful and proud of the living and learning he has been able to fit into his years. It is this living and learning that he offers to ratepayers and residents in a thing called experience. He is willing and able. Bob Peck Bob Peck is a former Raetihi mayor and the only mayoral candidate from the

southern part of Ruapehu District.

He is 65, in excellent health, the father of seven and grandfather of 12. A former member of the W anganui United Council, Bob's past service in local community affairs includes: Ruapehu College Board of Governors; president of the Raetihi/Ohakune Rotary Club. Currently he is chairperson of the Waimarino Rest-home Trust; St John's Ambulance committee and isone ofWaimarino's three Ruapehu District councillors. He was vicar of Ruapehu Anglican Parish for 20 years after serving seven years as a journalist in Wellington, the latter four as press officer and assistant editor of the Public Service Journal. If elected Bob promises to serve as a full-time mayor. He would lead a deputation to the Minister of Health to press for a rural premium to be established to fund hospital services in isolated communities. Bob supports the Taumarunui Stakeholders in their consultation process with Midland Health and the Waimarino taskforce in their consultations - both, for the purpose of maximal delivery of quality health and hospital services. He will make every, effort to see that council costs are carefully monitored to keep rates at a sustainable level and will press for stringent monitoring of contracts. Council delivery of high quality drinking water for all communities concerns Bob, as does the process of implementation of council' s policy on waste management. Bob supports the 'Safer Community Council' concept. He will work for the re-introduction of a free library service. For Bob, roading is a major issue, particularly for rural ratepayers who deserve a proper standard. B ob says that he has gi ven serious thought to all of these stated matters, and more, and he hopes the community at large will support him in the joint effort to make Ruapehu District a great place to live.