The editor desires to keep me beavering on election-related opinion pieces until the last ballot box has been emptied. Not exactly an exciting gig for an open-minded octogenarian but I shall comply.
After the Lauriston Village Mayoral Debate, from left Susan O’Regan, Mike Pettit, Clare St Pierre and MC Peter Carr. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Firstly, have you voted yet? More importantly – are you voting at all? If you have not your time is running out – however, if you wish to be a part of the historically over-arching group hell-bent on complacency, then just sit tight. And possibly be landed with a local government governance group that you deserve.
Conversely if you want to be part of the architecture that designs progress then please put your voting envelope, as soon as possible, into one of many bright orange bins that are at your disposal throughout the district.
Local Choice
Which brings me to the Tchaikovsky-like Dying Swan, publicly open, final Waipā council meeting of the triennium. There were only two items for public consideration. Cambridge champion Roger Gordon attempted to bring reason, justice and public safety out onto the council table by way of a notice of motion regarding the planned sand quarry.
Roger Gordon – 2025
Sadly, the excellent work by Roger was quashed by a bureaucratic clobbering machine involving an expensive lawyer giving advice. But Roger stuck to his guns, read the tea leaves and ‘parked’ the motion until the new elected group commence their three-year term. Cambridge needs heroes like Roger and a pity that they are in short supply.
So, if you have not yet voted please think carefully. Our other hard working Cambridge member Liz Stolwyk is off to try her luck at the regional council. Therefore, there is a need for fresh blood at the big table. Good local experience by the hitherto hard-working Community Board chair is available for your choice. And then it is out into the wilderness to complete the required four permitted candidates.
Liz Stolwyk – 2025
Perhaps a perusal of the booklet that arrived with your voting papers will help you. A couple stood out at the Town Hall candidates meeting with clear governance and management skills. They are not on a ‘ticket’ and appear to not have an axe to grind.
The Oxford Dictionary describes democracy as a form of government in which the people have a choice in the exercise of power typically through elected representatives. So there you have it. Mistakes have been made in the past (including recently) of putting inept people into that power spectrum. Please think wisely, and like the racing punter, possibly study the form. There are no formal odds at play here other than you supporting negative and poorly equipped representation.
Beware of those with badly judged ideals. Remember that once in, they cannot be unseated for another three years.
This is your community – you have chosen to seek improvement, wise counsel, improved safe access, freer flowing traffic and the preservation of the general beauty of this place we call home. Treasure it – but above all please exercise your right to take part by voting. By the afternoon of October 11, it will all be over and you will be aware of how successfully your vote counted.
Cambridge Chamber candidates meeting with Peter Carr as compere. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
