The names are in. The aspirants are known for the 2025 Waipā Council Steeplechase. Yes, that three-yearly event where experience and wannabees go head-to-head to attract your attention.
After the mayoral debate in 2023: Mayoral candidates Jim Mylchreest, Susan O’Regan and Chris Woodhams with debate moderator Peter Carr. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
In Cambridge three sitting councillors seek a return to the big table, one as mayor. They will expect searching questions as to their recent governance – and rightly so. Perhaps, when you get the opportunity, seek the stance they took when the $50 million poor-returning ‘investment’ was put in place. Seek their stance at the time to the purchase of the ex-Bunnings store in Te Awamutu now sucking life out of the council’s coffers. Seek their views on the staff numbers increase over the last nine years.
With regard to the last item the (relatively new) council chief executive has put together a context report setting out the increases against annual spend of the council. It includes the transfer of accountability from central government to local bodies – rightly or wrongly, and the major growth of new dwellings to balance the demands of the attractiveness of Waipa. That said, to what extent did the current elected people measure, challenge and rail against some of the perceived excesses?
A writer to this paper last week highlighted a growth of ‘closed door meetings’. A long-standing councillor (again in last week’s paper) called for greater transparency and accountability for decisions. Whose decisions? Those of the currently elected governance group or those of the organisation’s staff? Another aspirant with regional council experience stated that the council has lacked sound planning and financial governance.
This is the loony warm-up period when aspirants use their words and elbows to get to the front row of the steeplechase field, hoping they will not be caught up in the hedges and hurdles and have enough energy for the final sprint down the straight.
You have the chance to challenge them – to seek their skill level and, more importantly, their governance experience. Clearly several are thin on the latter. But it is their right to stand. Currently there are two major Cambridge meetings ahead being the Grey Power (August 28) and the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce (suggested as members only) Town Hall gathering on September 4. The candidates have publicly announced their email and telephone numbers – take a look at the website of ElectionNZ and source the Waipa list. They all want to hear from you so why not make use of this opportunity?
Ask yourself about the suitability of aspirants, who do you want to curb the rapidly spiralling rates increases? Who do you want to ensure that the land for the third bridge is a practical and, very importantly, early decision? Who will serve you with sound, transparent and sensible board table challenges, measurement and accountability?
You only get one chance at this, and you only get that chance if you actually vote. If you ignore or abuse that right then you have only a thin chance of effecting balanced democracy.
