Waimarino election '88

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 234, 8 March 1988, Page 5

Waimarino election '88

Mosl readers will be aware by now that the first Waimarino District Council elections axe here and would have received the postal voting forms. The Bulletin compiled a questionnaire for candidates, the answers to which we publish in two parts. The background profiles were in last week's Bulletin and this week we have the second part of our questionnaire, asking candidates about their opinions. In the interests of brevity and space we have abridged candidates' answers.

Why do you feel you are competent to spend other people' s money (i.e. rates)? HAITANA: Because I have a reasonable idea of people's needs. My rates are high ifs in my interests to spend wisely. RYLAND: A councillor is a guardian of ratepayers' money, not a "spender". Common sense prevails in team effort. SUMMERHAYS: Spent six years as councillor. BURROWS: I'm a ratepayer and I believe prudent spending is of great concern. HAMMOND: I'm enthusiastic towards spending the ratepayers' money with commercial sense. must set our goals, plan future and maintain what we have. O'SULLIVAN: Anyone with common sense can decide how to spend rates. GOULD: Experience, currently serve on Okn Borough F i nance C o m m i 1 1 e e . BRANNIGAN: Business experience, previous council service. COMPTON: A belief in integrity and honesty, experience in business, can apply sound fiscal reasoning to expenditure matters. BENNETT: Years serving local organisations raising funds and ensuring wise spending. 16 years local body service. THOMPSON: Familiar with districfs demands and problems. Use common sense, council experience. SUE: There must be balance - what we can afford and what is required for works and operations of borough. BERRY: 17 years experience in local government. Have learnt to scrutinize expenditure after a life of hard work, appreciate the value of money. WORKMAN: 1 8 yeas experience as businessman, 13 and a half years as councillor, six as finance chairman, four and a half as mayor. MARTIN: I am a ratepayer and belive in vaiue for dollar. Experience. HEINOLD: I am a farmer/businessman and have local government knowledge. TREBILCOCK: Ten years' experience as a company manager. PUNCH: Through experience and knowledge gained from involvement with outside works matters. I believe Ret needs breathing time. Where do you see savings for ratepayers being made as a result of amalgamation ? HAITANA: Will cost more, possible savings plant utilization, sharing costs of engineers, town planner, health and building inspectors. RYLAND: Hopefully in the streamlining of professional services, pooling of resources. SUMMERHAYS: None for a while. Hopefully combining resources,

streamlining of personnel etc,. BURROWS: I would work towards well managed council to give good financial control. HAMMOND: None, but ratepayers should get a much better service for their dollar. O'SULLIVAN: New office admin technology centrally located, more flexible use of available manpower, reduced plant duplication. GOULD: Seriously doubt that vast material savings will be effected! BRANNIGAN: Reduced costs. COMPTON: In long terms consultancy services, reduced duplication costs of services, plant and machinery. BENNETT: Employment of District Manager offsets rationalisation of admin services - but savings in consultancy by rationalising engineering and works departments, efficient use of present staff expertise. THOMPSON: Amalgamation was forced by government - no short term savings. SUE: By careful management and use of plant and equipment. BERRY: None initially. As council consolidates: admin savings, better utilization of staff and access to expert advice. WORKMAN: In admin eventually, through better use of plant and equipment. MARTIN: New council will have to scrutinize some present decisions. Important to improve service. HEINOLD: None short term, in long term new authority will allow employment of more competent staff. TREBILCOCK: In long term: better use of staff, machinery etc. PUNCH: For Ret in admin. fn other matters Ret expenses are at minimum. What will be your priorities, if elected, for your ward/for the region? HAITANA: Retain ward system, keep our building assets, minimize rates, retain existing works staff. To make amalgamation a success, work for region's future. RYLAND: Ensure existing stan-

dards not downgraded. Make most of newly available facilities. Ensure a fair deal for all. SUMMERHAYS: Keep Ret a good place to live, improve facilities. Encourage Waimarino growth. Make amalgamation work. BURROWS: Use my experience to represent Okn in transition period and ensure a workable organisation which will be considerate of people and needs to guarantee the continued progress of our town and region. HAMMOND: Establish unity in district council and staff. To make people aware of who and what we are. O'SULLIVAN: Slow down approval rate for some major developments. Promote discussion among community on proposals. To have council promote Jhe total stripping of power from DoC, and its revesting in an elected body of locals. GOULD: Working towards realising the concept of district. Continuing to promote the interests/welfare of those I represent. BRANNIGAN: To promote the Waimarino District and to see the Waimarino District Council in place for the region. JOHNSON: Employment, stabilised rates, state housing. COMPTON: Continuity of standards of Ret facilities. To protect conditions of amalgamation as they affect Ret. Provide a balanced perspective in obtaining the best deal for the ratepayers. BENNETT: Road and bridge maintenance. Review sub-di-vision standards of District Scheme with a view to reducing them. Trimming roadside shelter belts, encourage interest in Horopito Domain and Ruatiti Reserve. Check new admin efficiency, scrutinise estimates, encourage tourism. THOMPSON: Present OBC policy of upgrading

streets, reserves Okn water treatment, review of T/P scheme, encourage high standard of tourist development, protection of local population. Encourage District T/P, unity through amalgamation. SUE: Amalgamation to settle into a working marriage as soon as possible. WORKMAN: A united and effective council. Encourage tourism. MARTIN: Promote sound financial policy. Deveiop united attitude in council and staff, voice our needs and be heard, retain and upgrade hospital. HEINOLD: Attract more people to live in region by reiaxing town planning to allow farmers etc to subdivide. TREBILCOCK: Review of county district scheme, sealing of Ret Pipiriki Road. Development of the region - industry and tourism. Promotion of region. PUNCH: To study effects of Okn admin centre on Ret. Towards district unity. How will you balance the needs of your ward ratepayers against the good of the district? HAITANA: By doing best for own ratepayers, plan region's future in perspective. BURROWS: Continue practical approach to Okn spending. Judge district considerations applying logic, practicality and public interest. O'SULLIVAN: They are one and the same. GOULD: They aren't mutually exclusive, hope 'balancing acts' aren't needed. BRANNIGAN: By seeing that the ward is in harmony with the good of the district. To provide the necessary facilities and services. Are you a supporter of development for the region and if so, to what degree, and of what type? HAITANA: Yes, any type where permanent employment is possible. RYLAND: Yes, but not at the expense of the local ratepayer. SUMMERHAYS: Development is essential but remember forestry, farming, horticulture, tourism - support in these areas is important. BURROWS: Yes - farming, market gardening, pulp mill, Turoa skifields. HAMMOND: Yes, for people. I'm a practicalist, and beaurocracy shouldn't be allowed to remove individual rights. O'SULLIVAN: Yes, if we retain veto on developments

considered against our interests. GOULD: Of course! All soundly based development, for employment. BRANNIGAN: Yes it should be promoted 100 per cent, all types of business, tourism, rural operations. JOHNSON: Yes, for the good of the people - not ever forgetting the tangata whenua or people who live here all year round! - Tourism and future developments. COMPTON: Yes - encourage secondary industry for full employment, to retain government agencies within region. BENNETT: Yes, with minimal rates finance. All types of industry and business, both large and small, are required in this region. THOMPSON: Yes, forestry, farming, market gardening, pulp milling and tourism all demand encouragement. Turn to p. 6

ELECTION '88

Waimarino District election '88

From p. 5 SUE: I support development. Must encourage jobs or tourism, tourism brings dollars and creates work. BERRY: With logical approach, yes. Tourism, forestry, market gardening. WORKMAN: Definitely, main area tourism. HEINOLD: Yes, farming, tourism and forestry. TREBILCOCK: yes, it's essential for growth and our children. PUNCH: Yes. What do you see as the future of this district? HAITANA: Basically as a farming community. All towns involved in tourism, more so Okn, Ret as a family town. RYLAND: At least holding its own in battle against rural NZ. At best growth and employment. SUMMERHAYS: The continuance of a strong rural sector, tourism growth. BURROWS: Growth, improved services and shopping, jobs and financial security for our residents, tourist awareness of this beautiful community. HAMMOND: Waimarino has great potential for success from its industries with many spin-offs. With mix of people and ideas - social equilibrium is complete. Future is healthy. O'SULLIVAN: Tremendous change, decline in agriculture,

growth in importance of forestry, and outdoors leisure industry, loss of local ability to influence change. GOULD: A very bright future. Our potential in tourism, forestry, agriculture, •> horticulture is enormous. BRANNIGAN: Expansion in all avenues of rural life and industry etc. JOHNSON: With correct admin, good will and planning I see the district having further great potential for winter and summer tourism . COMPTON: A seasonal tourist district. Agro-forestry resources and development. BENNETT: Agriculture, forestry and the ski season. THOMPSON: With all the developments assuring good employment to establish larger permanent population future of the district is assured. SUE: A fight against being swallowed into a bigger authority. BERRY: A future of great opportunity and potential. HEINOLD: Based on farming, major input from tourism and forestry. TREBILCOCK: Short term difficulties, economic circumstances in the rural industry What is your attitude towards skiers? HAITANA: They spend money, pay rates, tidy up many old houses, you get the

odd turkey. RYLAND: Skiers are more people. SUMMERHAYS: They are people and the Waimarino needs people. BURROWS: We have all become skiers through our children. HAMMOND: I'm happy

enjoy. GOULD: Some of my best friends are skiers!! BRANNIGAN: They're welcome. JOHNSON: I'm a skier and skiers are individuals. COMPTON: Foreign capital is more than welcome. BEN-

doing its part in an informative way. O'SULLIVAN: Welcome if they recognise that much land they use belongs to local population, especially alongside Manganui-a-te-ao and Whanganui rivers. JOHNSON: I think more should be done for the summer visitors and to promote summer ventures. THOMPSON: Encourage them for year round

a conservationist. O'SULLIVAN: Should be with local people. GOULD: We must work to conserve those aspects of our district that make our area such a wonderful place. BRANNIGAN: This should be ongoing so that our resources can be enjoyed and used by all. JOHNSON: Conservation is a good thing and I follow it to the max-

provided by government. GOULD: Absolutely - always have and always will. BRANNIGAN: I believe support should be 1 00 per cent by all. JOHNSON: I would encourage it, yes. We need industry and industry needs support. COMPTON: As fully as possible without being suicidal in committing public funding. BENNETT: Not